Read Online The Laura Cardinal Novels by J. Carson Black - Free Book Online Page B

doll. “What size dress is that?”
    “Size 3, junior.”
    “What age would that fit?”
    “Thirteen, fourteen years old.”
    “Tell me about the guy.”
    According to Ted Olsen, the man was white, average-looking except for a black mustache, and he had blue eyes. Olsen remembered the eyes because the guy was so mad. Asked to describe his clothing, Olsen thought he might have been wearing a ball cap and “probably jeans.”
    “Nothing seemed unusual about him?”
    “When he first came in, he didn’t seem like somebody who would get so mad.”
    “So how did he strike you? When he first came in?”
    “Well, see, I didn’t really notice him until he found me. He was the kind who blends in—just a regular guy.”
    “When did he come in?”
    “Day before yesterday. I was open that night, which I do sometimes when I’m working on a doll in back. Stayed open until nine o’clock.”
    Nine o’clock: three to four hours after Jessica Parris was last seen.
    Laura told him she’d be back with a photograph of the dress Jessica Parris had worn, in case he recognized the style. “In the meantime, if you remember anything else about this guy, please call me." She handed him her card.
    As she crossed the street to her car, she finally got hold of Buddy Holland.
    “Where are you? I’ve been looking for you.”
    “Running down some things on my own.”
    And avoiding her, she thought. “We need to compare notes. I’m headed up to take some plaster casts on West Boulevard right now, but—”
    “I’ll meet you there. I’m going up there anyway.”
    “You are?”
    “I just talked to Dave Parris. Thought it would be a good idea if we took a look at the girl’s room. Unless you’re too busy.”

11

The window to Jessica Parris’s room was open, sunlight pouring in along with the warm summer air. It was clear from the posters on the wall that Jessica favored Josh Hartnett, Shakira, and Nelly. Laura had done stupid things in her teenage years, but worshipping a guy who wore a Band-Aid on his cheek wasn’t one of them.
    Someone had written all over Jessica’s sheets with permanent markers: “Stay cool!” “You’re my best friend ever.” “You and Cary are the coolest people I know.”
    “Her friends wrote those things,” Mrs. Parris said from the doorway. “We had a slumber party and they helped her decorate her room.” She hugged herself as if by doing so she might hold herself together, her nervous gaze straying to Buddy Holland, who was poking around the room as if it were a garbage dump. “Do you need anything else?”
    Laura said, “I notice she doesn’t have a computer. Do you or your husband?”
    “No. We’re not computer literate around here. Excuse me. I have to check the cookies.”
    A dresser drawer screeched as Buddy opened it with latexed hands.
    Laura looked up sharply. Holland returned her look, eyes devoid of all expression. She’d seen that look before, had used it herself. Cops who detested each other still had to work together, so they did it with as few words possible, just enough to get the job done. No one did cold as well as a cop.
    Laura said, “No computer in the house, but she probably has access to one at school. You really think CRZYGRL12 has something to do with the Internet?”
    “Could be.” Then he did something she didn’t expect: volunteered. “Let me check it out. I know my way around the Net pretty well. If she’s there, I can probably track her down.”
    It was the longest speech she’d ever heard from him. “What would you do?”
    “Check out Internet Relay Chats, see if I can find her there.”
    Laura seized on the one word of the three she understood. “You mean chat rooms?”
    “Uh-huh.” He didn’t elaborate. “You want me to or not?”
    She nodded. “I think you should.”
    A photograph on the dresser top caught her eye—Jessica and a young man she assumed was Cary Statler. Jessica was pretty in a short denim skirt and halter top. Statler was a