Delaney’s eyes widened.
“Know how to make sure it doesn’t power down?” Vaughn asked.
“Sure.”
Vaughn set the device on his desk, minimized the browser. He passed Delaney a glove and the officer navigated through the settings.
“So far I’ve identified five of the victims,” Delaney informed them. He passed the computer back.
“You have addresses for them?” Vaughn flopped into his chair and brought up the ad again.
“A couple. The others are—what’s that?”
Delaney was looking over his shoulder. Darnell, who had yet to say a word to the officer, retreated to make a pot of coffee.
“Found it on his computer—an ad. Not exactlySquid Game, but close.”
Vaughn waited for Delaney to finish reading.
“Scam.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. But Aaron had no job. If he was desperate enough...”
“You know what, give me a second.”
While Delaney got on his phone, Darnell returned with two cups of coffee, not bothering to ask Delaney if he wanted one.
Vaughn took a sip. Grimaced. It was thin and oily.
“I knew it.” Delaney beamed. “Heard some of the other officers yapping this morning in the bullpen. Someone called in last night—their husband went to film some game show and never came home.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, just confirmed it.”
“So you bring upSquid Gamein the barn then this morning you hear them talking about a missing person who went to a game show and don’t connect the dots?” Darnell said.
The pride on Delaney’s face sloughed off.
“I didn’t connect them until now. I was looking into addresses and—”
“What the fuck are you doing here, Delaney?” Darnell asked aggressively.
Delaney stiffened.
“I came looking for you guys to tell you the—”
“No, what the fuck are you doing herenow?”
Delaney looked to Vaughn for support. Vaughn averted his eyes.
“Go! Get the fuck out of here! We have ten dead people in a barn, Delaney. Find the person who called about their husband.”
Shaking his head, Delaney moved to the door.
Darnell shouted after him.
“And while you’re at it, put out an APB on Aaron’s car!”?
