Rules of Crime (31 page)

Jackson followed Agent River across town and south toward Anderson’s home. He couldn’t stop thinking about Talbot suddenly going AWOL. All the talk about gangs and Dakota and a sorority house now seemed like wild speculation. The kidnapper was likely the man Anderson had believed guilty from the beginning. A man who’d lost a lot of money because of Anderson’s financial advice. But would Talbot let Renee go? She’d been a hostage for nearly four days.

A gray sky loomed over the city and threatened rain. Once they’d passed the downtown area with all the transients and aimless teenagers, the sidewalks were empty. Even few cyclists were on the road today. Agent River drove like a woman in a hurry and Jackson pressed to keep up. They could have gone together, but no one in law enforcement wanted to be without their own vehicle if a scenario suddenly changed direction.

River waited in Anderson’s driveway. When Jackson reached her, she said, “I wanted to warn you that Anderson’s been drinking heavily
for the last few days. Agent Torres reported him to be hungover, but sober, a few hours ago, but that could have changed by now.”

“So this could be a waste of time.” Inwardly, Jackson raged at Anderson for drinking, for leading Renee back into the disease.

“Maybe. I’m also hoping you’ll help look out for him if we don’t get Renee back.”

Jackson didn’t respond. Anderson was not his family, and he had all the responsibility he could handle. “Let’s go see what he says about Dakota.”

Anderson was in his study, looking at photos on his computer. His eyes were dull and watery and his skin seemed loose on his face. He looked ten years older than he had when Jackson had met him a few months ago.

Looking up, Anderson said, “You’re both here. That can’t be good.”

“We don’t have any news,” Jackson said. “Just questions. We need you to tell us the truth, even if it’s painful.”

River pulled up a chair and sat next to Anderson. Jackson stayed standing. “Did you know Dakota was nearly seventy thousand in debt?”

Anderson blinked and swallowed. “I didn’t know it was that bad. I knew she’d gotten into trouble with credit cards again but we were working something out.”

“What does that mean?”

“She agreed to cut up the cards and see a debt counselor and I was going to help her pay the collection agencies.”

Agent River sat quietly, watching Anderson, so Jackson continued. “Was Dakota ever involved with a gang?”

Anderson closed his eyes. When he opened them, they shimmered with tears. “She dated a gang member her first year in college. He went to jail for a while and she broke it off.”

“Was it Noah Tremel?”

“I don’t remember. What does this have to do with Renee?”

“Both couriers who picked up the ransom were members, or ex-members, of the Westside Kings. Why would they target Renee?”

“I don’t know what you’re saying. Daniel Talbot kidnapped Renee.” Anderson sounded desperate. “Why haven’t you arrested him?”

“Why would Talbot hire gang members to pick up the cash for him?”

“I don’t know. That’s your job.”

Jackson knew it was time to confront him but he still wanted to ease into it. He realized how devastating the accusation would be for a father to hear. “Dakota had suicide scars on her wrists. Why did she try to kill herself?”

“Her mother had died of cancer and she’d been depressed even before that. I told you.”

“Has she ever seen a counselor for any emotional problems?” Jackson recalled the Celexa in her medicine cabinet.

“Off and on. But she lost two mothers; who could blame her? I tried to be that person in her life but I failed.” Tears rolled down Anderson’s face. “Dakota was always looking for someone or something to cling to. In high school, it was a group of gamers and one friend in particular. Then her first year at the university, she dated that gangster and I was so worried. But thankfully it didn’t last. Finally, she found a private sorority and they were like family to her. Dakota settled down and got serious about her education.”

Maybe Evans was right about the sorority connection
, Jackson thought, but he didn’t know how it would help find Renee. It was time to say it. “We think Dakota may have orchestrated the kidnapping to get the money she needed to pay off her debt.”

“No.” Anderson’s whole body shook with denial. “She would never do that. I know she wasn’t close to Renee but that’s unthinkable.”

River decided to step in. “It may not have been Dakota’s idea. Maybe her ex-boyfriend Noah approached her. I’m sure he promised her that Renee would be safe and no one would get hurt. She probably thought they would both walk away with a pile of cash and the whole thing would be over in a couple of days.”

“Dakota wouldn’t have gone along,” Anderson argued. “She would never commit a crime just for the money. Not as long as I was able to help her.”

“She had a compulsive shopping habit,” Jackson said, still standing.

“So? Lots of people have vices.” Anderson’s voice rose a notch. “Dakota had a void to fill but she wasn’t a criminal.”

River kept her voice gentle. “Of course she wasn’t. But Renee is still missing and we need your help.”

“If you think Dakota kidnapped Renee, you must know what happened to Dakota. Tell me whose dog killed her.” Anderson started to stand.

River put a hand on his arm. “We need your help. If Dakota was involved in the kidnapping, where would they keep Renee?”

“She wasn’t.” Anderson folded his arms across his chest.

River sensed him shutting down. “Can you visualize Renee somewhere?”

A moment of silence.

I know where she is.

River heard Anderson’s thought. It was weak and filled with pain as it eased into her head. She took a slow breath. “Tell us where Dakota would hide Renee. You want her back, don’t you?”

“Of course. But I can’t help you and I resent your insinuation that my daughter was a kidnapper.” Anderson pushed to his feet, looking a little unsteady. “You’re just blaming her because she’s dead and can’t defend herself against the charges.”

River suddenly knew how this would play out. “I’m sorry for your pain and I hope you’ll get some counseling. If you think of anything that can help, call me.” She stood and stared at Jackson, willing him to go along.

He started to speak, then closed his mouth and stood too. “Take care of yourself.” Jackson touched Anderson’s elbow and walked out. River followed.

Out in the driveway, she said softly, “We wait and watch. I’ll go left and you go right.”

“You really think he knows?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

They jumped in their vehicles and backed out. River drove two blocks, backed her car into an empty driveway, and slumped down in the seat. She hoped Anderson wasn’t intoxicated, but with Renee still in captivity after four days and possibly alone for the last twenty-four hours, they had no choice but to see what happened.

CHAPTER 39

Pain gnawed at Renee’s stomach and she felt queasy from dehydration. The little sink in the bathroom didn’t work and no one had brought her water in a long time. She lay on the bed, listening for the sound of footsteps in the hall or a car driving up outside. The last time she’d had contact with her kidnapper had been yesterday around noon, or so she thought. He’d silently given her a sandwich and a glass of water and left again. His face hidden by a ski mask, she had no idea who he was, but he dressed like a gang member and smelled like dog. She thought she’d heard whimpering noises at one point too.

She was pretty sure the same man had been feeding her from the beginning, but then yesterday, she’d heard a car leave. And never come back. Another night had passed and she’d slept off and on, waking from hunger and worry. Now most of another day had passed and no one had brought her food or water. It was the longest she’d ever gone without sustenance or human contact.

Now she’d been abandoned. It was very possible she would die here in this room, slowly starving. Renee sat up and moved to the floor again. Yesterday, she’d rubbed the tape that bound her wrists against the corner joint on the bed frame for an hour, then had given up in despair. But she had to try again. She couldn’t lie here and wait to die.

After a few minutes, she knew it was pointless and began to sob. But her despair was again driven out by determination. Now that she knew her captor was no longer out there, she had nothing to fear. These walls were probably made of sheetrock and she might be able to kick a hole in the interior one.

She picked a spot, brought her knee up and smashed her heel into the wall with all her might. The pain made her eyes water but she’d made a little crack. Renee brought her foot up again and the sound of a car caught her attention. Thank god, someone was here. Tears of relief flowed freely as she scrambled to decide her next move. Sit here and wait to see who came through? Or press herself to the wall and shove him as he opened the door?

The footsteps sounded different this time. Quicker and lighter. Was it someone to save her?

He called out her name and her pulse accelerated. A rescuer was looking for her!

Renee rushed to the door. “I’m in here.” Her throat was so dry she could barely project any sound. She pounded on the door and soon footsteps were in the hall.

She stepped back and the door opened. At the sight of the mask, her heart sank. He wasn’t here to rescue her.

Silently, he took out a pocketknife. Renee cried out but he reached for her bindings as if to cut them.

What now?

The sound of another car outside. The man spun around, surprised. When he turned back, he had a gun.

Ten minutes later, Anderson’s car rolled by. Jackson waited for a count of three and pulled out behind him, driving slowly. The poor son of a bitch. Jackson empathized with Anderson’s desire to protect his daughter’s reputation, even beyond her death, but it enraged him that Anderson was willing to risk Renee’s life for it.

In the distance, Anderson’s sedan slowed at the intersection, so Jackson pulled off and waited. He must not believe Renee was in danger, Jackson reasoned. Or else he knew she was already dead and planned to move or bury her body so Dakota wouldn’t be blamed for the kidnapping. Or maybe Anderson had no idea of what he would find or how he would react. But it was obvious he’d decided to keep his knowledge from the police.

The Lexus turned right and Jackson pulled out and followed. They were headed out of town on Willamette, toward Spencer Butte. Jackson wondered how far he would go to protect his own daughter if she got into trouble. Would he break the law or lie to police officers? Especially if he believed no harm could come of it? Jackson didn’t know and he hoped he never had to find out.

When they passed Braeburn, Anderson picked up speed. Jackson finally had to pass the little car in front of him to stay with the Lexus. He glanced in the rearview mirror and didn’t see River’s vehicle. Had she gone the wrong direction? It didn’t matter. He could call and let her know their location. Should he contact Schak too for more backup? It seemed premature. They didn’t know where Anderson was headed and it seemed inevitable that Renee had been abandoned and would be alone or dead. Dakota, the ringleader, was dead, and one of the couriers had drowned during the money exchange. The other courier had left town and Renaldi was in jail. Who was left?