“I’ll get your formal approval,” Ian said.
“You think the LT is going to approve an outside agency running the DNA?” Londyn asked.
“The ransom note makes it a case for this being proof of life. It’s possible we have someone who’s been kidnapped and needs to be rescued before he’s killed,” Ian said.
“But who?” Londyn asked. “Not one of Olivo’s thugs, as I can’t see him caring enough to pay up.”
“What if it’s his son?” Malone asked. “They said Olivo had hunkered down with his family in their house. What if they did that because someone kidnapped the boy, and they’re trying to get him back and make sure no one takes the daughter?”
“How old are his kids?” Kelsey asked.
“Daughter’s sixteen. Son’s eighteen.”
“Could be the son’s finger for sure,” Kelsey said.
Ian looked at Londyn, and the look in his eyes raised Malone’s concern. She was worried he was going to suggest some crazy plan or idea. One that might get him and Londyn hurt or killed.
Ian took a deep breath. “I think it’s time to go to Olivo’s house and ask to talk to the son. Maybe Olivo knows about the package, maybe not. But one look at the kid’s hand will answer a lot of questions. And if Olivo can’t produce his son…” He narrowed his gaze. “Maybe this could lead us to something that can put Olivo behind bars.”
Ian and Londyn delivered the finger to the medical examiner’s office before visiting Olivo, and Dr. Albertson concurred that they were looking for a young male. So the visit to Olivo was inevitable. They pulled up to the house to see all the blinds closed, just as Nix had told Ian he would find.
Ian shifted into park, his eyes on the house. “Wonder if anyone will even answer?”
“We have Olivo’s phone number. We can try that if he doesn’t.” Londyn released her seatbelt. “Besides, I have this obnoxious voice I can use when I knock that usually gets them to answer just to make me go away.” She laughed and got out.
Ian chuckled to himself. She was fun to work with, though he suspected this was a nervous laugh, and yet she was also committed and dedicated. He had to wonder why she was still single. She was a beautiful woman, confident, and had a pleasing personality. Maybe she was too confident. Lots of men had a problem with that. Maybe this last guy was like that.
Ian joined her at the door.
“Ready?” she asked, her hand already raised to knock.
He nodded.
“Let’s give him a chance to answer before I get annoying.” She grinned and knocked.
Turned out he was spared of hearing her annoying voice, as Olivo came to the door right away.
They displayed their IDs.
“Detectives Steele and Blair,” Londyn said as they’d agreed she would lead the questions. Men like Olivo were often macho and condescending to women, underestimating their abilities, which might allow Londyn to ask questions Ian could never ask.
“Your son, Carlo, has come up in an investigation,” she said. “We’d like to have a word with him.”
“What’s he supposedly done?” Olivo asked.
“He’s eighteen, so we’ll need to talk to him about that.” Londyn smiled, but there was an edge of steel in her voice that said it wasn’t optional.
He stood back. “Come in, and I’ll get him. He’s in his room.”
Surprise.The boy had not been kidnapped.
They entered the house, which had Roman columns in the entryway with a wide hallway leading into a sunken family room with a two-story fireplace. But Olivo led them to a formal living room, where the furniture was traditional with fancy carvings and the lampshades were finished with fringe on the bottoms.
He gestured at the sofa. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Thank you, but no.” Londyn gave him another smile.
“Nothing for me,” Ian said, trying not to sound too gruff and disapproving.
