Page 85 of Pied Sniper

“Do you know why she did that?”

“Probably because her parents are such jerks. Rose got into that fancy school and disowned them the minute she turned eighteen. They’re an embarrassment so I get that and after that awful incident with her cousins… well! They didn’t fit into her plans, and neither did I.”

“What were her plans back then?”

“To be rich and famous, and she didn’t care how she made it happen.”

“You mentioned an ‘awful incident.’ Was that the one that happened in her junior year of high school?”

Catherine raised her eyebrows, apparently impressed. “You found out about that? Huh. I was there. I barely heard from her afterwards. Her cousins are on her mom’s side… the biggest pair of idiots you ever did meet. There was a special family day at school and Dad and his wife took them along but they caused mayhem. First, they snuck in some alcohol and got a few girls stinking drunk. Then they stole a couple of the girls’ private horses and took a joyride. They nearly broke one horse’s leg. Not to mention, they totaled the principal’s car. It was terribly embarrassing.”

“Wow,” I said, momentarily stumped.

“I know,” agreed Catherine.

“I really need to contact your sister’s parents. Do you have your dad’s number?”

“Sure, but I know he already called the tip line and he’s on his way. He called me last night and left a voicemail. In all honesty, I wouldn’t expect much. He’s as bad as Rose when it comes to money.” The brunette pulled out a card and pen before scribbling a number on the back. “This is my number and that’s my dad’s. I know I said I’m not close to Rose, but I hope she’s okay and found soon. I don’t expect she’ll tell me the truth, and whatever happens, I would rather not hear it from the news. I don’t hate her. I just don’t really know her and from what I do know… well, I’m sorry to say, but I don’t like her.”

I took the card and turned it over. “Thanks, Catherine,” I said. Apparently, she was a small business adviser and the address on the card was only a few blocks from here. I wondered if it were possible for two sisters to have such very different lives. Then I remembered my older sister, Serena. “One last thing,” I said, stopping her again. “Who was that man who came in? He ran out but it seemed like he was looking for you?”

“Oh, him.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s Davy Morris. He’s been dribbling on Rose’s coattails since she was a teenager. They dated for a bit during high school vacations when Rose visited here, but I think she was just using him. It was mostly just for fun because he had a car. But once a user, always a user. I’ve bumped into him over the years and he always gets this moony look when he asks about her. I doubt she can even remember his name!”

“I’m surprised you kept in touch with him.”

“I didn’t try to. He called my office this morning and asked to see me, saying he was worried about Rose. I told him I didn’t think that was a good idea and he should talk to the police if he were seriously concerned.”

“Do you know why he ran just now?”

“No idea, but Davy was never the brightest bulb in the box. Rose always bragged she could make him do anything,” added Catherine with a roll of her eyes.

Nowthatwas interesting.

Chapter Seventeen

“That is one slippery man,” said Solomon. A gush of cool air followed him into the bar and the door banged shut behind him.

“I’ve got his details,” I said. “I think we can track him down.”

“How?”

“The brunette who just left? That’s Catherine, Rose’s, uh, I mean, Tiffany’s sister. Half-sister.”

“And you let her go?”

“What did you expect me to do? Detain her? I don’t have a badge or handcuffs.”

Lily leaned in. “I have handcuffs if you need to borrow them.”

“No, thanks,” said Solomon.

She nodded. “You got your own? Finally! Good. Make sure they’re the quick release kind. My advice comes from the voice of experience.”

“His name is Davy Morris and he was Rose’s, I mean, Tiffany’s boyfriend when they were teenagers. According to Catherine, he’s very susceptible to whatever Rose-slash-Tiffany wants. Dammit, I can’t keep her name straight! What are the odds that he shows up at the press conference and then contacts her sister?”

“Did she say what he wanted when he called?”

“No, he simply asked to speak to her. She told him to come here if he had something to say but added he was better off talking to the police.”

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