with right now without worrying about how every other word will be used against you later. Speaking of which, you’ll be happy to know that some of your money is paying dividends. I don’t want to jinx it, but we may have something that will shut down Eric’s bid for Kennedy.”
“That’s wonderful news, Ben. Although I would be more excited if I knew she was…that she was okay.”
“I understand. Leave everything to me. I still have his phone number. I’ll touch base and advise him to stop pestering you with calls.” Ben paused. “He’s quite a dick, isn’t he?”
“That’s the technical term. Yes, he’s relentless and totally amoral, and as vicious as a pit viper.”
“Snakes are my specialty. I’ll handle it. Silver, I hope everything turns out okay. I know it’s slim comfort at a time like this, but my heart goes out to you. This is a terrible, terrible thing…”
“Thanks, Ben. I appreciate the kind words.”
She disconnected and then completed her wardrobe change, selecting a pair of loose slacks and a button-up, creme-colored blouse. She slipped on a pair of sandals and dialed Brett’s number as she exited the bedroom.
“You want something else besides coffee?” Silver asked Richard.
He shook his head.
Brett’s voice came on the line, and she held up a finger.
“Brett. It’s Silver. I’m back at the flat.”
“How are you holding up?”
“So-so. The electronics team is here. No ransom call yet. It’s the landline they’ll need to use.”
“That’s good. Simplifies things. But we’ll still be running a trace on your cell as well — they might get the number from your daughter.”
She hadn’t thought of that — and it was basic procedure. She needed to pull herself together, or she wouldn’t be any good to anyone.
“I know it’s too soon to expect anything, but have you made any progress?” she asked.
“I’ve got a team assembled, and they’re going to canvass the neighborhood and see if anyone saw anything. That’s a good first place to start. You never know. It’s a relatively busy area, so we may get lucky. We’ve also gone through the traffic camera feeds, and one of the cams captured a suspicious-looking SUV.”
“Suspicious? Suspicious how?”
“The SUV triggered a stolen plate alert. A dark green Ford Explorer. I’ve put out an APB on it, so maybe we’ll get a hit.”
“I wonder how many cars on the streets at any given hour are stolen? I’m guessing it isn’t a lot.”
“Not that many. This is significant. It’s our best lead so far, but it’s still early. Silver, we’re going to throw the kitchen sink at this. Nothing will be spared. Absolutely nothing,” Brett assured her.
“I know you will. I appreciate it. Now tell me who’s running the team? Maybe we can compare notes.”
“It’s Art Phillips. He’s seasoned — has done a lot of these, relatively speaking.”
“Art’s good. That will help. Listen, I’m sorry to have to take time off from the task force. I know things are heating up there with the latest-”
“I need to talk to you about that. Don’t worry about the task force. Your priority should be your daughter.”
“I know, but I’m able to focus, and I’m planning to be back on line tomorrow. I really feel like we’re making progress now. With the traffic image and some leads on possible motivation…”
“Silver, that isn’t important. You need to look after yourself until this ordeal is over. I’ll assign someone else to run the task force.” Brett dropped the bomb as artfully as possible.
Silver took a few seconds of silence to absorb his words. “You’re pulling me?”
Brett hesitated, and then his voice grew in conviction. “I have no choice. With your daughter kidnapped, there’s not a chance in hell the Bureau will let you keep running it. You know how things work. We can’t afford to have anything but best efforts every step, and with all this other shit going on… Look, once we find Kennedy, you’re back in the saddle. You have my word on that. But for now, you need to concentrate on your family, not the task force.”
She swallowed, temporarily feeling like she was choking. “I…I can do this, Brett. Really. It will help take my mind off wondering what’s happening to Kennedy every minute of the day. The work will help.”
“I don’t doubt it, but running a serial killer investigation isn’t some kind of therapy, Silver. The victims need someone with no distractions. I wouldn’t remain in this office for two minutes if I let you continue. You know it.”
She felt blood rushing to her cheeks as he spoke.
“Because I’m a woman, and women are emotional, right?”
“Silver, that’s not fair. If you were a man, we’d pull you off just as quickly. It has nothing to do with gender — and everything to do with being involved in a crisis. Think about it. That you would even consider this is because of your sex is irrational. Which underscores my assumption that you aren’t going to be performing at peak while Kennedy is missing.”
Silver digested his words for a few moments. “You’re right, Brett. This is a massive body blow. I’m sorry for lashing out at you. It’s just that right now, the job is all I have. Without that…”
“It’s still your job. But you’re going to take time off. That’s an order. I don’t want to see you near this building until…until there’s a resolution on the kidnapping.” His voice softened. “Silver, if this happened to me I’d be a basket case. Stop forcing yourself to be Wonder Woman. Nobody could keep it together in light of what’s happened. Take the time to deal with this, and we’ll revisit things once…later.”
“Who are you putting in charge?”
“Sam Aravian.”
“No. Brett. Please don’t do that,” she blurted, her voice sounding borderline hysterical. Silver reined in her anger before she lost it. She needed to make a dispassionate case for not giving Sam the lead, not unload on her boss. “He’s not on the same page, Brett. He’ll take the investigation down an unproductive road. He’s fought me tooth and nail on virtually every decision for the last week. Why not Seth? He’s good, and he’s up to speed.”
“He’s also got three years’ less experience, Silver, and he’s not a Supervisory Agent yet. I can’t just bypass a resource like Sam and ask him to answer to Seth. Give me a break.”
Brett was right. He had to work within the framework of the Bureau’s playbook, and while Silver didn’t agree with the decision, she could see how it was the only one he could make.
“I get it. But with all due respect, you’re not going to get rid of me that easily. I want access to the computers while I’m off. If I don’t have something to work on, I’ll go stir crazy. Come on, Brett. Throw me a bone here. Don’t shut me out. I didn’t do anything wrong…”
Brett groaned and then capitulated. She could hear it in his exhalation.
“Fine, Silver, fine. All right. Your remote access will remain in place. But don’t wear yourself out. Your first priority needs to be to yourself right now. We’ll catch this serial one way or another. It shouldn’t be your overriding concern.”
“Thank you, Brett. I appreciate it. And I completely understand what you’re saying. But we’re all wired differently, and the work will really help.”
“Good. Call me if you need anything at all. I’ll be around today and tomorrow, and then I’m off to a conference in D.C. next week. Closed doors, so I’ll only be available in the evenings. Meanwhile, you can also have full access to Art. He’s expecting your call.”
Brett gave her Art’s cell number. “Give Art an hour — he’s going to be in a briefing first thing this morning. I’ve got to go give it, so I won’t be around, either. I’ll keep you posted on any progress. Again, I’m sorry this is happening, Silver.”
“Yeah. It sucks.”
“It does indeed.”
Chapter 19
Kennedy had regained consciousness a few hours earlier, lying on a bed in a completely dark room with no windows. She’d felt her way around, exploring what she could absent any light — it seemed bigger than her
