I’ve never come across anyone with this level of confidence, or an abduction this clean. Forensics spent two days fine-combing the entire house and its grounds, and
they got nothing that didn’t belong. Not a single hair. Not a speck of dust. This guy left absolutely nothing behind, other than a forensic black hole. That’s not an easy thing to
achieve.’
Hunter looked at the detective for a couple of seconds. Sanders didn’t have to voice it for Hunter to know that he feared exactly what he and Garcia already knew – Nicole Wilson was
only the beginning.
Twenty
Their fifteen minutes were up. This had been one hell of a boring meeting, but with elections just around the corner Mayor Richard Bailey had to endure several of those on a
daily basis, and he did it with a perfect smile on his lips and a look of total interest on his face. If there was one thing Richard Bailey had learned since joining the world of politics over a
decade ago, it was that every vote counted, and the two women sitting before him represented a group of over one thousand voters from South Los Angeles.
‘I completely understand your views,’ Mayor Bailey said, addressing the stick-thin blonde woman who had just finished a five-minute-long monologue that he had paid no attention to.
Their chairs had been strategically positioned with their backs toward the round clock on the wall behind them inside the mayor’s office. That way, while facing them, Mayor Bailey could
always keep track of the time without appearing rude by consulting his wristwatch every couple of minutes.
‘And if I get to serve another term,’ he continued, dishing out another very well-rehearsed look that made sure his visitors understood what those words really meant, ‘I will
certainly put those views forward to the relevant committees. You have my word.’
He stood up and adjusted the sleeves of his jacket.
The women followed suit.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure, ladies, and I want to thank you for taking the time to come and see me,’ he said, offering his hand. His handshake was as well crafted as his
entire performance – strong enough to show strength and authority, but not too overpowering. He escorted both women to the door, before giving them one last ‘goodbye’ smile.
His personal assistant, Grace Hamilton, was standing in the outer office, holding a legal-size envelope.
As always, Grace was impeccably dressed. Today she wore an extremely well-fitting navy-blue suit with a silky white blouse, but the look on her face was far from her usual tranquil and smiling
one.
‘Richard,’ she said, taking a step forward once the two women were gone.
Mayor Bailey had insisted that she call him by his first name. The request hadn’t been a flirtatious move, though he did enjoy flirting and was very good at it, but because he didn’t
like formalities in his office . . . and it made him feel younger.
He locked eyes with his assistant and paused for a heartbeat. Her eyes were full of fear.
‘Grace, is everything OK?’ There was nothing fake about his expression or tone of voice. The concern in them was all real.
Grace Hamilton never discussed anything with the mayor in his anteroom.
‘Could I have a word in private, please?’ Her voice sounded edgy and urgent.
‘Of course,’ he replied with a single nod before stepping to one side and ushering her into his office.
Grace closed the door behind her and followed Bailey to his large oak desk.
‘What’s the matter?’ Bailey asked, turning to face her.
‘This arrived this morning,’ she finally said, lifting up the envelope she had with her. ‘It was addressed to you, and marked as “urgent – private and
confidential”.’
Bailey looked at Grace. ‘Yes? So? We get enough of those every week. Did you check the contents?’
‘I did,’ she said, nodding. ‘It’s a photograph.’ She paused as if she needed to catch her breath. ‘And a note.’
Bailey’s eyes moved to
they got nothing that didn’t belong. Not a single hair. Not a speck of dust. This guy left absolutely nothing behind, other than a forensic black hole. That’s not an easy thing to
achieve.’
Hunter looked at the detective for a couple of seconds. Sanders didn’t have to voice it for Hunter to know that he feared exactly what he and Garcia already knew – Nicole Wilson was
only the beginning.
Twenty
Their fifteen minutes were up. This had been one hell of a boring meeting, but with elections just around the corner Mayor Richard Bailey had to endure several of those on a
daily basis, and he did it with a perfect smile on his lips and a look of total interest on his face. If there was one thing Richard Bailey had learned since joining the world of politics over a
decade ago, it was that every vote counted, and the two women sitting before him represented a group of over one thousand voters from South Los Angeles.
‘I completely understand your views,’ Mayor Bailey said, addressing the stick-thin blonde woman who had just finished a five-minute-long monologue that he had paid no attention to.
Their chairs had been strategically positioned with their backs toward the round clock on the wall behind them inside the mayor’s office. That way, while facing them, Mayor Bailey could
always keep track of the time without appearing rude by consulting his wristwatch every couple of minutes.
‘And if I get to serve another term,’ he continued, dishing out another very well-rehearsed look that made sure his visitors understood what those words really meant, ‘I will
certainly put those views forward to the relevant committees. You have my word.’
He stood up and adjusted the sleeves of his jacket.
The women followed suit.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure, ladies, and I want to thank you for taking the time to come and see me,’ he said, offering his hand. His handshake was as well crafted as his
entire performance – strong enough to show strength and authority, but not too overpowering. He escorted both women to the door, before giving them one last ‘goodbye’ smile.
His personal assistant, Grace Hamilton, was standing in the outer office, holding a legal-size envelope.
As always, Grace was impeccably dressed. Today she wore an extremely well-fitting navy-blue suit with a silky white blouse, but the look on her face was far from her usual tranquil and smiling
one.
‘Richard,’ she said, taking a step forward once the two women were gone.
Mayor Bailey had insisted that she call him by his first name. The request hadn’t been a flirtatious move, though he did enjoy flirting and was very good at it, but because he didn’t
like formalities in his office . . . and it made him feel younger.
He locked eyes with his assistant and paused for a heartbeat. Her eyes were full of fear.
‘Grace, is everything OK?’ There was nothing fake about his expression or tone of voice. The concern in them was all real.
Grace Hamilton never discussed anything with the mayor in his anteroom.
‘Could I have a word in private, please?’ Her voice sounded edgy and urgent.
‘Of course,’ he replied with a single nod before stepping to one side and ushering her into his office.
Grace closed the door behind her and followed Bailey to his large oak desk.
‘What’s the matter?’ Bailey asked, turning to face her.
‘This arrived this morning,’ she finally said, lifting up the envelope she had with her. ‘It was addressed to you, and marked as “urgent – private and
confidential”.’
Bailey looked at Grace. ‘Yes? So? We get enough of those every week. Did you check the contents?’
‘I did,’ she said, nodding. ‘It’s a photograph.’ She paused as if she needed to catch her breath. ‘And a note.’
Bailey’s eyes moved to
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