Page 8 of Fatal Betrayal

"I'll pay anything to get her back."

"I understand, but we want to act in a way that will bring her back. Money is your leverage. Don't give it up without talking to me. Do you understand? This is really important, Mr. Benedict."

"I get it."

"Good. One more thing. The press will start to hound you, too. They may set up camp in your front yard. The police will keep them away from your door, but you'll feel pressure to speak to them. Don't."

He stared back at her, his mouth twisting into a frown. "Why not? Maybe they can help find her. Why wouldn't we want as much publicity as we can get?"

"We'll handle the press. We'll use them the right way. But you and your wife and your family need to stay silent. The first twenty-four hours are critical. We don't want anyone to know what you're thinking, what you're feeling, what you want to say."

"That doesn't make sense. What harm is there in saying I want my daughter back? If it's because you think the ransom demand will go up, I don't care. I'll pay anything."

"It's not about that. We don't need to give the kidnapper any insight into the investigation. We will speak to the media when appropriate, not before." Talking parents out of speaking to the press was always one of her most difficult jobs, but she'd seen too many times the downside of a parent's desperate, panicked comments.

"I need to go back to my wife," Neil said, not making any promises, but she hoped that he'd heard her.

"Of course."

As they went down the stairs, she saw a tall man arguing with the police officer at the front door. He turned his head toward them, and her heart stopped.

She stumbled down the next step, grabbing on to the railing so she wouldn't fall. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. But it was him. The once dirty-blond hair was a light brown now, and his body had filled out to match his frame, but his eyes were just as green, just as sharp, just as surprised.

"It's okay," Neil told the police officer, moving ahead of her. "I asked Cooper to come."

Her blood thundered through her veins. She'd told herself a million times that coming back to LA didn't mean she would see Cooper again, but he was here. One of her ghosts had just come back to life.

CHAPTERTWO

"Agent Hart,this is Dr. Cooper Bradford, a forensic psychologist," Neil said when she managed to get down the final few stairs. "He's an expert on criminal behavior. I think he might be able to help us."

She stared at Cooper, knowing she was probably giving away far too much in her eyes, but she couldn't put on her usual professional mask. This man had once been her best friend in the world, the one who had known her better than anyone else. But that friendship had shattered eighteen years ago.

"We've met before," Cooper said shortly, his gaze running across her face, a much more guarded expression in his eyes.

"Yes," she agreed.

"Good," Neil said, completely oblivious to the undercurrents running between them. "I want you to work together."

"What?" she asked in shock.

"I'll do whatever I can to help," Cooper said. "I'm so sorry, Neil."

"It's a nightmare," Neil said. "My baby girl gets taken right out of her crib. Who does that? Who commits that kind of crime?"

Since Neil had addressed his question to Cooper, she was curious to hear how he would answer. While she hadn't seen him since she was a teenager, she was familiar with his work.

Cooper had gotten a Ph.D. in criminal psychology and had written several bestselling books on falsely accused criminals and the biases inherent in profiling. He also had a hugely popular podcast and was a frequent guest on talk shows. But while the media and the public might like him, his words and actions had made him an enemy of law enforcement.

"Neil," his father interrupted, coming out of the living room. "We need you in here. Claire is hysterical."

"I'll be right there, Dad." He turned back to them. "Agent Hart, I want you to allow Cooper to work with you. He knows me. He knows Elisa. And he knows the problems that can arise in investigations. I don't want any of those problems, not with my daughter's life on the line. You two talk, work together," Neil said. "If that's an issue, tell your boss to talk to me." Neil gave her a pointed look that told her if she wanted to fight his request, he would fight back.

As Neil left them alone, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave Cooper a hard stare. "The last thing we are going to do is work together. You need to stay out of the way so we can bring Elisa home as quickly as possible."

"Same old Andi," he drawled. "You always liked to call the shots, but you're not in charge."

"I am in charge. This is my case."

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