Page 77 of Pied Sniper

“I bet there’re far more incidents than Flavia initially told us about.”

“Maybe, or it could simply be she realizes the magnitude of the big ones. Bad people don’t do everything bad. Tiffany must have done some good things to reel in her targets,” I said. “She probably did pay for treats, especially while she was setting herself up as fun, interesting and rich, but more than that. She’s a fun tornado.”

“A fun tornado?”

“The kind of person who whirls around so fast, she sucks everyone into her crazy orbit.”

“I don’t think ‘fun tornado’ will catch on.”

“I thought it was catchy!” I paused as my phone trilled, Abigail’s name flashing on the screen. I held up a finger to Solomon, pausing our conversation. “Hello?”

“Lexi? Is there any news? I haven’t heard anything from the kidnappers since this morning’s demand and I’m getting worried.”

“We haven’t located them yet but we’re working on it,” I told her. “We spoke to several people in Tiffany’s life and we’re trying to locate her family.”

“Her family? What are you talking about? She doesn’t have any.”

“I know that’s what you were told, and what we assumed too, but we have reason to believe her history isn’t quite what she made it out to be.”

“I’m so confused. Tiffany was adamant she didn’t have anyone. Who do you think is out there? Cousins or some kind of extended family?”

“We’re not sure about that yet, but there could be closer relatives. Has Tiffany introduced you to anyone? Perhaps someone she was hazy about how she knew?”

“No, never! I can’t believe she would keep something like that a secret.”

“It seems she has. Also, her friend, Flavia turned up.”

“Oh!”

“She told us everything about the fake enemy thing and how they’re secretly friends.” I waited, wondering what Abigail might say.

“They are. An enemy story is so good for clicks.”

“It seems Tiffany lies about a lot.”

“I wouldn’t say she lies...”

“Her rich orphan story is sketchy. We know she went to school on a scholarship and her parents were definitely around. Plus, we’ve uncovered some very suspect businesses she’s been involved in. If she lies to everyone else, even her viewers, it’s reasonable to think she’d lie to you too.” I paused for a moment to let that sink in and when Abigail didn’t say anything, I added, “Are you sure there isn’t something else you want to tell me?”

“No, just find her. Please.”

“Call me the moment you hear anything,” I said before Abigail said goodbye. “Is Lucas any closer to identifying the location of the ransom video?” I asked.

Solomon shook his head. “There’re too many buildings to check. We need to narrow it down more but I don’t see how we can do that just yet. The kidnap vehicle came to a dead end. The backdrop of the video is too generic. We need the kidnappers to do something and the best way to prompt some kind of movement is with a police press conference. That’s a good call. We should leave now so we can get there a few minutes early and observe the crowd. Fletcher, Flaherty and Delgado will all mingle in the crowd. You and I will take observation points.”

“Are you sure that won’t tip someone off?” I asked. “They look more dangerous than your average citizen.”

“I’ll tell them to be discreet.”

“Let’s go.”

Garrett sent me a text saying the press conference would definitely be held in front of the police station. When we got there, parking around the side, a podium with microphones was set up in front of the entry and the local camera crew anchor was rehearsing a piece to camera. A couple of photographers fiddled with their equipment and a few people stopped to watch from the sidewalk.

“I can’t see much from here,” I said. “It’s going to get dark soon and people will be close together.”

“I brought the zoom lens.” Solomon reached onto the backseat for the camera. “We could split up. I’ll photograph from here and you can circulate in the crowd since you’re convinced that you don’t look at all suspicious.”

“I don’t look suspicious! That’s why you hired me!”

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