“How thoughtful of you, Lindsay. I would expect nothing less. But I assure you I am fine. And it is not so rare as you might want to believe. You would be surprised how many times I was shot atin my career before Interpol. It almost makes me hopeful that we’re on the right track.”
I appreciated his attitude. “That’s a great way to look at it. And you’re right. I didn’t realize you’d been in situations like that before. I’m afraid to admit that most of what I know about French law enforcement, in particular, comes from the movieFrench Connection II.”
Alain let loose a broad and infectious laugh. Then he waved me off and said, “Have no fear, Lindsay. That is, in fact, a great film. As is the firstFrench Connection.I must confess I also learned quite a bit about US law enforcement from that film. I once even took a tour of where the chase scene was filmed near Coney Island. Amazing cinematography. Questionable police work. But I found it compelling and exciting just the same.”
“I thought we could check out that residential hotel the Duke of the Tenderloin told us about. Are you willing to risk it?”
“I am,” Alain said, “but I wonder if first we might be able to visit the mall where Nicole was last seen. I would like to see the kind of place she might frequent. Maybe we’ll pick up on something new.”
I agreed immediately. Traffic was reasonably light, so I took the turns that would eventually lead us to the Stonestown Galleria. Alain and I looped around the Stonestown mall, showing Nicole Snaff’s photo to the occasional shop worker. None recognized her. Next, we aimed for the food court on the second level. I said to Alain, “When I first started on the force, I always heard that a good cop should never get wet or go hungry.”
Alain laughed. “Our French police have a similar saying. A good cop is well-fed and well-treated but can drink only well alcohol.”
“That’s very clever. Brings light to law enforcement salaries without preaching to people.” I chuckled.
The choices at the food court were sparse. Luckily, Alain claimed to adore Asian American food. Specifically bourbon chicken. I grabbed a burrito from Chipotle.
We took up two tiny round tables with our food and belongings. There were some people around, but it felt like we could speak freely here.
A couple of times we had to shift so someone could slip past us. A teenaged Black kid in a dark hoodie said, “Excuse me,” as he stepped between our two tables and back into the mall.
A few seconds after the kid had slipped past us, Alain said with some urgency, “I think he just took my phone.”
When I turned my head to look at the teen, he broke into a sprint toward the bank of escalators.
CHAPTER72
BEFORE I COULDeven stand up, the kid started flying down the crowded escalator. I knew I’d never catch him. That’s when I heard the ding of the elevator and saw the door opening.
Somehow I managed to shift my momentum and slide on board the elevator before the doors closed. Still, it felt like the elevator crept down. When the doors opened, I burst out onto the ground floor, but I had little hope that I’d even see the kid who ran away with Alain’s phone.
A quick glance told me he wasn’t anywhere near the main entrance. Then I looked around the corner to where Rich Conklin and I had visited the security office just days ago, searching the video for Nicole Snaff.
I froze in place. Bill Simpkins, the chief of security, was standing next to the teenager.
Simpkins smiled. It made his giant mustache spread out like some sort of party favor. He could tell by the look I gave them that I was thoroughly confused. “I saw the whole thing on video, Sergeant. All I had to do was walk outside and wait. He didn’t give me any trouble.”
I held out my hand. The teenager didn’t hesitate to pull Alain’s phone from his backpack and slap it onto my hand. I gave him a thorough appraisal, then asked the kid, “How old are you?”
He mumbled, “Sixteen.” He told me his name was Jake Hunter. Then he said, “I’m really sorry.”
I thanked Simpkins for his assistance and told Jake to follow me. I wasn’t going to arrest him. I just wanted to see if he’d follow my instructions. If he ran, so be it. But if he followed me all the way back to our table, maybe there was some hope for him.
To his credit, the teenager followed me the whole way back to where Alain was sitting. I motioned to a chair and Jake dropped into it. I introduced him to the Interpol investigator.
Alain looked at me and said, “That was an impressive chase.”
I explained how the security chief had actually nabbed the thief, as I handed the phone back to Alain. Then I turned my attention to young Jake. “You have anything to say for yourself?”
Jake gave a hint of a smile. “That’s exactly what my grandma says to me all the time.”
“Are you saying I’m old enough to be your grandmother?”
“No, ma’am. Not at all. That’s—”
“Relax, Jake. I was just having a little fun.” I appreciated Alain’s chuckle.
Jake said, “I said I was sorry. I mean it. I just could really use a European iPhone.”
