‘Thanks,’ Nolan replied as he began dialing a number.
‘Grin,’ the voice answered, as if it could be no one else.
‘Morning, Grin. It’s Nolan. Did you get that E-mail I sent you last night?’
‘Yeah, and I got two things for you. First, Ted Sandstrom called a little while ago sounding very excited. He said he replied to your E-mail, but he hadn’t heard back from you yet.’
‘What’s his message?’
‘He said the file you sent him was one of his.’
‘Good. What else you got for me?’
‘The ru in the sender’s E-mail address told me right off that the host server is in Russia. I tracked it back as far as a company in Moscow called VIO FinProm. I tried to tickle the sender’s name out of their E-mail server – to find out who a-v-v is – but the server was having none of it. I went in with a light touch, but they got pretty decent security. If you want, I can be a little less subtle.’
‘Let’s hold off on that for the moment,’ Nolan replied. ‘What I would like you to do is dig up whatever you can on this VIO FinProm.’
Nolan then told Grin about Kelsey’s theory and the kidnapping.
‘I’m sorry to hear that, my friend.’
‘Yeah, this thing has really gone into the shitter.’
‘I’ll get on this FinProm thing right away. If there is anything that I can do…’
Nolan smiled, knowing the offer amounted to carte-blanche access not only to Grin’s formidable hacking skills but to those of his inner circle of like-minded associates.
‘When the time comes, I’ll let you know. Also, could you page Cal Mosley for me? Have him call me on my dad’s phone.’
‘Consider it done.’
‘Thanks, Grin.’
Nolan ended the call. A few minutes later Mosley returned the page.
‘What’s happening, Nolan?’ Mosley asked.
‘Cal, in the words of my late mother, this whole mess is going to hell in a handbasket.’
Nolan then brought Mosley up to speed on everything that had happened that morning.
‘Was Kelsey able to confirm her theory about the ring?’
‘I don’t know. She was going to call me back once she had a chance to talk to Elli about it. She never made that second call.’
‘This thing is moving a little faster than I anticipated. Do you know if Elli had the ring with her?’
‘No, but I would have to assume that she would have kept it for sentimental reasons. I have no idea whether she brought it here or left it at home.’
‘Do you have an address?’
‘Not on me, though I can call you back with it once I get home.’
‘Fine. Once I have that, I’ll give the FBI a call and have them coordinate with the local cops to secure her house and give it the once-over. If Elli doesn’t have the ring with her, that’s likely to be their next stop. I’ll also see if we can’t do a bank search for any safety-deposit boxes where she might have some jewelry stashed.’
‘Cal, did you get that E-mail I forwarded to you?’
‘Yes. I passed it on to our technical staff; they’re working on it.’
‘Do you remember Grin, from the last time we worked together?’
‘Ponytail. Goatee. Yes, I remember him.’
‘I gave him that same message. We still don’t know who a-v-v is, but the E-mail was sent from a Russian company called VIO FinProm. That mean anything to you?’
‘Yes, it does. Let me pull some stuff together. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘You’ll see me tomorrow?’
‘I don’t like the way this thing is moving, and you’re where the action is. I’m bringing an associate of mine, too. A guy by the name of Bart Cooper. We’ll be on the first flight in the morning.’
‘I’ll be waiting for you.’
47
Dexter, Michigan
‘What are you going to do now?’ Sean asked as he pulled his Explorer up to the barn.
‘I’m not sure,’ Nolan replied pensively.
The ride back from Kelsey’s condo had been quiet as Nolan struggled to find some course of action.
‘Dad, you had some jewelry made for Mom, right?’
‘Yes, some rings, a few necklaces, and a charm bracelet.’
‘Do you know what kind of records a jeweler keeps?’
‘Very detailed ones, especially for custom work. Every piece I bought came with an appraisal that described it fully for insurance purposes.’
‘Including the inscriptions?’
‘Yes,’ Sean replied. ‘You think there might still be a record of the ring Wolff bought for Elli?’
‘That’s what I’m going to find out,’ Nolan said as he began walking toward the garage inside the barn.
‘Not like that, you’re not,’ Sean said firmly. ‘Take a quick shower while I pull the Viper around. Do you want me to call Urban’s and let them know you’re coming?’
‘No, I don’t. After this morning, I’m a little worried about announcing my plans publicly.’
‘May I help you?’ an attractive, stylishly dressed woman said, greeting Nolan from behind one of the jewelry shop’s countertop display cases.
‘Yes,’ Nolan replied, introducing himself. ‘Is the owner in? My grandfather is an old friend of the family, and I’d like to have a word with him.’
‘Yes, he is. I’ll see if he can come up front.’
Nolan saw that behind the main display area, the shop split into two levels, each a half flight of stairs up or down from where he stood. The woman descended to the lower level and disappeared behind a gray metal door. A moment later she reappeared, followed by a blond man wearing a light blue smock.
‘Mr Kilkenny, a pleasure to meet you. When your grandfather was in a few weeks ago for your grandmother’s birthday present, he mentioned that you might be in the market for an engagement ring soon. What can I do for you?’
‘No rings today, unfortunately. What I’m looking for is a little information. Do you still have your father’s records?’
‘Of course. I still see a few of his pieces from time to time for cleanings and repairs, that sort of thing. Why do you ask?’
‘Well, I’m looking for the details about a ring your father made back in the fall of 1948. I’m trying to find out what was inscribed on the ring.’
‘If my dad didn’t pitch it, then it should still be down in the files. What’s the customer’s name?’
‘Johann Wolff.’
‘Wait here a minute, and I’ll see what I can do.’
The jeweler disappeared into the shop’s lower level, leaving Kilkenny alone in the glittering display area.
‘Excuse me,’ the saleswoman said, ‘but while you’re waiting, would you like to take a look at our ring selection? We’ve just completed a new series of rings that are simply stunning.’
‘Why not?’
Nolan looked down at the felt-covered tray of beautifully crafted rings, each a unique work of art. Simple gold bands gave way to more complex geometries; stones ran the gamut from traditional diamonds to more playful displays of brilliant gems.
