Page 88 of Pied Sniper

“I thought you were with them!”

“Do I look like a kidnapper?” I yelled.

Davy darted a glance at me. “No?” he said, apparently not entirely convinced. “But they told me not to trust anybody. They said they had people everywhere, watching me.”

“Why did you go to the police conference?”

“To find out what they knew before I handed over the money!”

“Okay,” I said, “Why did you call Catherine and ask to see her?”

“I was worried. I wanted to tell her what was going on. And because I don’t have all the money they asked for. I thought she might loan it to me if she knew it was for Tiffany.” Davy’s face crumpled. He took off his glasses and pinched his nose, breathing deeply.

“Tell us everything,” I said. “Start with how they got in touch with you, how much they asked for and how you’re supposed to get it to them.”

“They sent a video to my phone,” he started, “but in the message they told me not to say anything. Tiffany said that in her video as well! She said they’d hurt her if I went to the police and I had to do exactly as they instructed. She said I was the only person who could help her and she looked so scared. I had to do it!”

“Show us the video,” said Solomon. He extended his hand and after a moment, Davy reluctantly dropped his phone into it. “The password?”

“It’s facial recognition. I have to look at it.”

Solomon turned the phone around, held it to Davy’s face for a moment. “You’re a security-conscious man. That’s good,” he said, tapping the screen. “Was the video emailed or sent by text?”

“Text message. I don’t recognize the number.”

“Probably a burner. They’ve been smart with their cellphone usage,” said Solomon. “I’ll send it to Lucas.”

“Who?” asked Davy.

“Our tech guy,” I explained. “If there’s any information there, he’ll find it. Send it to Garrett too.”

“Another tech guy?” asked Davy.

“Lieutenant Graves at MPD,” I said.

“You’re on first name terms?”

“He’s my brother.” To Solomon I said, “And to Maddox too.”

“Another lieutenant?”

“Special Agent Maddox of the FBI. And before you ask, he’s my friend.”

“I don’t think you should tell them. Tiffany was very clear that they’d hurt her if I contacted the police.” He got to his feet, stepped toward the window, pulling back the blinds and glancing into the street. “They could be watching us right now.”

“The police are all over this already,” I told him as gently as I could. “That’s why they held the press conference. They’re the best people to get her back, besides us, which is why we teamed up.”

“Ready,” said Solomon, holding the phone so I could see it. Tiffany appeared in the center of the screen, her face dirty with grime and dried tears. A smear of blood marred her chin. “Davy, you have to help me,” she implored, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears. “They said they’re going to kill me unless you do exactly what they say. They need a hundred thousand dollars. I know you have it because you’re so smart and I need your help. You said you would always take care of me. You have to get the money and be ready by midnight tomorrow when they’ll tell you where to take it. Please be smart, Davy. They’re watching you and I don’t want them to hurt you—” Tiffany’s lip began to wobble “—Or me,” she finished as the screen went blank.

“I don’t have enough,” said Davy. “I tried to get all of it. I asked my parents. I also asked my boss. Everyone refused to help me.”

“What did she mean that she ‘knows’ you have it? How does she know that?” I asked.

“Well, I guess, I, um told her about my savings account,” said Davy.

“When?”

“A couple months ago when Tiffany moved back. I knew she moved back here from her videos and I worked out which building it was so I waited for her. Plus, I wanted to see Elf, her dog. I got him a gift a three years ago when she came to visit and I send him something every Christmas. I wanted to make sure Tiffany got all of them. Do you know what happened to him? Is he okay?”

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