Read Online Death in the Haight by Ronald Tierney - Free Book Online Page B

area near a large lake. Big homes near a big body of water were surrounded by plenty of undeveloped land, woods mostly.
    It was easy for native San Franciscans, much like native New Yorkers, to slip into a kind of provincial view of the rest of the country. And while the great Midwest was merely flyover for many, as Lang knew from having lived there, there were millions, many of them rich and powerful, who called it home. The Vanderveers cast a pretty big shadow in the larger Grand Rapids area, but they wouldn’t be slouches in the Bay Area, either.
    Big shot or not, Mr. Vanderveer’s position on the ladder of success and his unwillingness to do what Lang said, didn’t prevent the PI from calling his client to find out why, according to Brinkman’s second call of the day, the senior Vanderveer had gone to the financial district with bags of money and returned without them.
    â€œI don’t know why you are spending so much time following me,” Vanderveer said. “You were engaged to find my son.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m trying to do. But you are acting like I’m on their side.”
    â€œThe blackmailers left a note that they no longer want to be paid in cash. They want bearer bonds.”
    â€œAnd you thought this wasn’t important enough to tell me?”
    â€œI was going to. But we’re waiting further instructions. I thought I might as well wait until then. What difference does it make how I pay them? All they’re doing now is making me dance.”
    â€œBig difference. It’s kind of hard to carry a couple of bags of money on a plane, right? How the hell did you get so wealthy? From now on, tell me everything, right away,” Lang said, not suppressing his disapproval. “What else?”
    â€œWait. Just wait for further instructions. They said it was getting close. Why are they playing this game?”
    â€œMaybe to frustrate you.”
    â€œThey are succeeding.”
    â€œSeems so. I need to see the note.”
    â€œAll right. But I doubt if it will help.”
    Â * * * 
    â€œAnnouncing the presence of Inspectors Rose and Stern,” Thanh said, standing in the door to Lang’s office, wearing what appeared to be some version of a toreador outfit. Lang was behind his desk. Lang stood as the two inspectors came in, smiling at the preposterous formality.
    Lang gestured to the slightly ripped green Naugahyde sofa.
    â€œHonored, I’m sure,” Rose said, sitting and sinking into the pillows.
    â€œMe too,” Stern said, a smile on his face.
    The smile made Lang nervous. What had happened? Had Stern gone to a therapist? Maybe he was on happy pills. Or was this merely a tactic now that he knew Lang wouldn’t think twice about killing him? Maybe the smile was pure sarcasm.
    â€œSo now we all know that Vanderveer is here, right?” Stern asked, taking a moment to glance at everyone.
    â€œLook around,” Lang said, letting one arm sweep the office.
    â€œIn the city, Mr. Lang,” Stern said, surprisingly patient.
    Lang nodded.
    â€œWhere exactly is he?”
    â€œNot yet,” Lang said.
    â€œHas he been contacted by the kidnappers?” Rose asked.
    â€œYes,” Lang said. “He’s been asked to provide a vast amount of cash in exchange for the boy. And in the interim, the kidnappers have asked Vanderveer to exchange the unwieldy bulk of cash into bearer bonds.”
    â€œHmmm,” Stern said. “Inexperienced, not thought through.”
    â€œMaybe,” Lang said. “Vanderveer’s character suggests that he is used to having his way and having it quickly. The kidnappers may be playing with him. As he put it, ‘making him dance.’”
    â€œGood point,” Stern said. He seemed like a different person. He even seemed a little more cleaned up. His tie still hung loose around his chubby neck, but his suit was pressed. “You’re not going to tell us