questions, I’d like to complete our discussion at this time.” Sir Walter passed his chair and moved to the library door.
Steven’s cell phone buzzed. Offering up a silent plea, he nodded to the ambassador. “I will be in touch soon, sir.”
“Good day.”
Steven shook his head as the library door shut on his heels. He flipped open his phone and headed back to his Explorer. “Kessler.”
“Got some interesting leads to run by you.” Michael Parker’s voice boomed through his cell. “And a very irate American father in the command center who’s asking for your head. Want to handle it now or later, boss?”
“I’ll be right over.” Steven returned the phone to his belt clip and checked his watch. Still inside twelve hours. They needed a strong lead—soon. Maybe Jordan’s father would supply more information than Sir Walter. Not likely But he could hope.
Little Victoria’s words dogged his footsteps. “
When will you bring my Livvie home?”
Deep in his gut he felt the teenagers were unharmed. So far. The bits of evidence melding together into a working theory increased his pace through the English estate grounds.
He wouldn’t be too late.
Not this time.
7
T he Assistant US Attorney’s office buzzed with activity early Monday morning.
Steven drummed a pen on the huge mahogany meeting table. The familiar room hadn’t changed since the last time his team had met with Kenneth Marks. Deep green plants and expensive framed family pictures separated the floor-to-ceiling collection of reference books on built-in bookshelves surrounding the room.
His team and two of the Kensingtons’ Secret Service detail flipped through notes and talked shop. He should have called this first organizational meeting to order ten minutes ago. More like two days ago. If he had found Olivia Saturday they wouldn’t have needed this meeting.
But that hadn’t happened.
At least Clint knew not to include him in any light conversation today Working on little sleep and two days of futile leads in a kidnapping case left Steven a little short on pleasantries.
And even shorter on time.
Kenneth strode into the room and stationed himself at the head of the ornate table. In a flash, the room grew quiet and male and female agents took their seats around Steven. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today. Court ran late, as the DC system is wont to do. But I assume you’ve all reviewed Agent Kessler’s extensive case notes so we can skip to the next step in protection, pursuing Olivia’s kidnapper, as well as establishing a solid case for prosecution. The president is following this case with interest.”
Steven hoped the white-haired attorney wouldn’t harp on the lack of quality leads the Rapid Start Team was still researching. Ken had always shown great respect and professionalism in his work with federal agents, even with pressure from the Oval Office. But everyone knew their window for success in this case was closing.
Fast.
Pen in hand, Ken locked eyes with Steven. “Agent Kessler, your team’s circulating a physical description. Any updates there?”
The question of the hour. “Brown-haired, dark-eyed men wearing black suits are a dime a dozen in DC. Many at the Baltimore club had noticed our perpetrator leaving with the two girls, but most were too intoxicated or too caught up in their own world to provide useful clues.”
But every interview lead and called-in or e-mailed tip had to be followed up, regardless that it was most likely wasted time. Valuable resources detained on rabbit trails. Steven wanted to curse. He had to find Olivia and Jordan soon.
“The Crimes Against Children team has been working all leads throughout the weekend.” Steven fought back a yawn. “My interviews with Sir Walter and his staff have given us a few promising suspects. We’re bringing two in for questioning later this afternoon when their planes arrive from London.”
“Any indication Olivia is still alive?
Steven’s cell phone buzzed. Offering up a silent plea, he nodded to the ambassador. “I will be in touch soon, sir.”
“Good day.”
Steven shook his head as the library door shut on his heels. He flipped open his phone and headed back to his Explorer. “Kessler.”
“Got some interesting leads to run by you.” Michael Parker’s voice boomed through his cell. “And a very irate American father in the command center who’s asking for your head. Want to handle it now or later, boss?”
“I’ll be right over.” Steven returned the phone to his belt clip and checked his watch. Still inside twelve hours. They needed a strong lead—soon. Maybe Jordan’s father would supply more information than Sir Walter. Not likely But he could hope.
Little Victoria’s words dogged his footsteps. “
When will you bring my Livvie home?”
Deep in his gut he felt the teenagers were unharmed. So far. The bits of evidence melding together into a working theory increased his pace through the English estate grounds.
He wouldn’t be too late.
Not this time.
7
T he Assistant US Attorney’s office buzzed with activity early Monday morning.
Steven drummed a pen on the huge mahogany meeting table. The familiar room hadn’t changed since the last time his team had met with Kenneth Marks. Deep green plants and expensive framed family pictures separated the floor-to-ceiling collection of reference books on built-in bookshelves surrounding the room.
His team and two of the Kensingtons’ Secret Service detail flipped through notes and talked shop. He should have called this first organizational meeting to order ten minutes ago. More like two days ago. If he had found Olivia Saturday they wouldn’t have needed this meeting.
But that hadn’t happened.
At least Clint knew not to include him in any light conversation today Working on little sleep and two days of futile leads in a kidnapping case left Steven a little short on pleasantries.
And even shorter on time.
Kenneth strode into the room and stationed himself at the head of the ornate table. In a flash, the room grew quiet and male and female agents took their seats around Steven. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming today. Court ran late, as the DC system is wont to do. But I assume you’ve all reviewed Agent Kessler’s extensive case notes so we can skip to the next step in protection, pursuing Olivia’s kidnapper, as well as establishing a solid case for prosecution. The president is following this case with interest.”
Steven hoped the white-haired attorney wouldn’t harp on the lack of quality leads the Rapid Start Team was still researching. Ken had always shown great respect and professionalism in his work with federal agents, even with pressure from the Oval Office. But everyone knew their window for success in this case was closing.
Fast.
Pen in hand, Ken locked eyes with Steven. “Agent Kessler, your team’s circulating a physical description. Any updates there?”
The question of the hour. “Brown-haired, dark-eyed men wearing black suits are a dime a dozen in DC. Many at the Baltimore club had noticed our perpetrator leaving with the two girls, but most were too intoxicated or too caught up in their own world to provide useful clues.”
But every interview lead and called-in or e-mailed tip had to be followed up, regardless that it was most likely wasted time. Valuable resources detained on rabbit trails. Steven wanted to curse. He had to find Olivia and Jordan soon.
“The Crimes Against Children team has been working all leads throughout the weekend.” Steven fought back a yawn. “My interviews with Sir Walter and his staff have given us a few promising suspects. We’re bringing two in for questioning later this afternoon when their planes arrive from London.”
“Any indication Olivia is still alive?
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