“Do we have security footage to review?” JD asked.
“I’m waiting for the footage from a Thai restaurant across the street. It’ll probably be low resolution and a little far away, but should still give us a visual of the abduction. I also want to check other surrounding businesses and pull area traffic cams to see what we might turn up.”
Dak outlined what little information they had so far.
The abduction was reported by the Thai restaurant owner, who knew the victim and saw the abduction from a distance. He’d described the vehicle as a white van like what plumbers or electricians use, but said there were no markings on the vehicle.
Kevyn waited for Dak to finish before asking the question burning her tongue. “Was she drugged?”
“Unknown. The witness didn’t think so. He thought he saw her fighting back, but said he was too far away to see it clearly.”
That would make three key differences between Orson’s abduction and the other two. Gender. The van pulling up rather than already being present. No drugs.
On their own, none of those was entirely conclusive, but put together? It could indicate a different kidnapper with a different purpose.
Although what were the chances that they’d be looking at two sets of kidnappers at the same time? Stranger abductions were rare, very rare, and the odds of having two sets of kidnappers active in the city right now were lower than her chances of being struck by lightning.
The cases had to be connected, didn’t they?
“Let’s either tie this case to our other two or rule it out quickly.” Dak assessed the group. “Kev, dig into this latest victim. See if there’s a reason someone might want to abduct her. Sid, you get the local businesses. Check for surveillance cams that may have caught the van entering or exiting the lot. JD, pull traffic cams within a six block radius. Let’s see if we can’t get a license plate to track. Felicia, you and I will keep working the other two abductions.”
As the meeting broke up, Kevyn headed for her desk.
They were rapidly approaching that critical twenty-four hour mark. If this case had any connection to their other two, she needed to find it.
Fast.
₪ ₪ ₪
Lorelei Divers.
Dak studied the background information in the file on his desk.
Grew up in Mississippi, moved around a bit in her late teens and early twenties, then landed in Seattle where she attended a technical school to earn her phlebotomy certification.
Nothing that made her stand out as a person of interest, other than her date with Jason Boggess on the night of his abduction.
In fact, security footage at the blood bank put her walking out the door, dressed for a night on the town, at 6:44pm. There was no way she could have been at the abduction site when Boggess was taken.
Plus, the fact that she’d dressed up and styled her hair before leaving work confirmed her story that she was expecting to meet someone that night.
For now, she’d remain on the suspect list, but he doubted it’d go anywhere. She had no apparent motive and little opportunity.
The desk on his phone shrilled.
He jolted at the interruption of the silence. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kevyn startle, too.
He picked up the receiver. “Lakes.”
“Agent Lakes, Wilson here. SPD. I was asked to give you a call about the Orson abduction.”
Wow. They were calling him? He’d fully expected to have to initiate the follow-up himself. Actually had it on his to-do list for immediately after lunch.
“Orson turned up. They’re taking her to Downtown Regional for a full work-up.”
Wait. “She’s alive?”
“Yeah. Don’t know any more than that, but she’s expected to be okay.”
He was already reaching for his gun. “Thanks for the call. I appreciate it.”
“Sure thing.” The officer’s tone said he was anything but thrilled to have received the assignment.
Ending the call, Dak looked up to find Kevyn’s gaze on him.
Should he take her with him? Having a woman along, especially one so good at reading people, might help him get more out of Orson.
Besides, which was more important now that Orson had been found? Digging into Orson’s background or actually talking to the woman in person?
“Orson turned up alive. I’m headed to the hospital now. You interested?”
She stood. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”
Maybe this was the break they’d been waiting for. If Orson had been abducted by the same crew, she might have valuable intel that could help them stop the kidnappers and bring both Jason Boggess and Wes Andrews home.
He didn’t want to think about the other possibility – that this whole thing was a waste of time.
Six
Hospitals reminded her of death.
Kevyn’s stomach clenched at the scent of antiseptic. At the gleam of harsh florescent lights on sterile white tile. At the rattle of gurney wheels rolling patients from one place to another.
Too many days and nights spent in hospital rooms while her mother experienced the ups and downs of cancer had forever changed her.
At least she no longer had anyone to lose.
An image of her father’s face flickered through her mind, but she pushed it away.
The man was a complete stranger. If he died tomorrow, it would mean nothing to her.
Would it?
The elevator dinged as the shiny brushed stainless doors slid open. A nurse in floral printed scrubs pushed an elderly man in a wheelchair inside and turned as the door closed.
Dak walked past the elevator and she followed.
Noelle Orson was still in an exam room here in the ER and, from what little they’d heard, likely wouldn’t be
