Page 77 of King’s Ransom

‘I already have an idea where she is,’ I said. ‘And that riddle confirms it.’

‘It does? Where is she, then?’

‘Remember when I was up on the 98th floor—the blow-through level directly beneath the roof—and I glimpsed somebody dressed in white coveralls?’

‘Yeah . . .’

‘Well, he was over by the garbage chute,’ I said. ‘Titanic Oscar squared could be rephrased as “Titanic Oscar x Oscar”. So we need to identify two Oscars. I think the first Oscar is a reference to the Academy Awards: when did the movie Titanic win all its Oscars? That’s easy: 1998. So, it’s the 98th floor. And who’s another world-famous Oscar? How about Oscar the Grouch, from Sesame Street, who lives in a garbage can?’

Bill shook his head and smiled at me. ‘Son, sometimes you’re way too clever for your own good.’

‘Tell me about it,’ I said. ‘That garbage chute’s too small for an adult to fit inside, but a small child would definitely fit.’

‘I’ll call the cops back at the tower and get them to look,’ Bill said. ‘Go to the hospital, son. Look after your lady. I know you want to.’

‘Thanks, Bill.’

He stepped away, pulling out his phone.

I turned, trying to figure out how I’d get to the hospital. Maybe I could get a ride with one of the cops.

I’d just found a junior cop who was heading that way when Bill came back, calling, ‘Sam, wait up.’

‘What is it?’ I said.

‘They found the little girl right where you said she’d be. Tied up inside the garbage chute on the 98th floor, suspended above a very high drop. Two dead adults were found stuffed in a cabinet nearby—her bodyguard and her current nanny—both shot in the head. But, Sam, when I called the cops back at the tower, they were already heading for that spot. Someone called them just before I did.’

‘Who?’ I asked, perplexed.

Bill jerked his chin over my shoulder . . .

. . . at Special Agent Hooper who was staring right at me, a sly grin on his face.

He’d been close to us when I’d told Bill my idea about the girl.

Had Hooper heard me and made a call before Bill did, so he could take the credit?

Special Agent Trey Hooper grinned smugly at me and strode off toward his boss and Aristo King.

Motherfucker . . .

I turned to Bill.

‘I’m done here. I’m going to the hospital to check on Audrey.’

AFTERMATH

Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned,

Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.

– From: The Mourning Bride

by William Congreve

Phelps Hospital

Sleepy Hollow, NY