Page 93 of Pied Sniper

“I wouldn’t say it was a total waste of time. I recognized the son’s name.”

“Oh?”

“A contact at the DEA has kept Todd Busch on the radar for years. His transport business isn’t exactly legit. They’re sure he’s smuggling drugs from South America but they can’t pin anything on him. He’s very clever and slippery.”

“Seriously?” I gasped. “Could that be why Tiffany was kidnapped? Does he owe money to the wrong people?”

“I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem to have made any serious enemies and there’s nothing that really connects the two anyway. Tiffany changed her name and distanced herself from the family as a kid. I haven’t found any reference to Todd in any of her dealings.”

“It doesn’t sound like the apple falls too far from the tree with Tiffany and her family. The mom was involved in that pyramid scheme that went bust, her brother is probably a drug smuggler and who knows how her dad really makes his money? They seem pretty keen to milk whatever they can off Tiffany’s disappearance.”

“When we do some digging, I’m sure we’ll find something,” said Solomon. “We should turn this all over to Garrett immediately. Their insistence on doing a press conference without MPD’s knowledge is also concerning. Who knows what they might say?”

I checked my watch. “We should head over to my parents’ now. We can tell them there.”

“Let’s go.”

~

Someone was screaming at my parents’ house. “I should get my gun,” said Solomon as we opened the door.

“No need. It’s only a child,” I said. “You definitely shouldn’t shoot whichever one it is.”

“What if it’s Sam?”

“Depends on what he says tonight. It’s probably much less trouble just to fake a heart attack and leave in an ambulance.” My nephew was great fun but had the potential to be a true troublemaker.

“I’m glad you already have your plan ready.”

“There’s enough space for two in the ambulance. Hi, Mom!” I hugged my mother as she stepped into the hallway, wearing an apron that said,I am the queen.

“Lexi, you’re here?”

“Well, sure. It’s family dinner. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I thought you were still pounding the streets looking for that poor missing girl? I’ve been following it on the news.”

“If I were doing that, I would never be finished.”

“So you found her already?”

“Well, no.”

“The case is ongoing,” said Solomon, “but we couldn’t miss a family dinner. A life balance is crucial. Is Sam here?”

“All the kids are in the living room using Steve as a jungle gym,” said Mom. To me, she added, “Your dad likes it but I’m worried he’ll throw his back out and be immobilized for weeks. That’s my biggest fear in life.”

“Dad hurting himself is your biggest fear? Aww,” I sighed. My parents were such eternal lovebirds.

“No, it’s because I can’t have him stuck at home for weeks with me being his twenty-four/seven companion! I might kill him. I can’t go to jail.”

“I don’t think you need to worry,” I told her. “Dad always has the neighbors to spy on to keep himself entertained.”

“Hi, everyone!” I turned at hearing Garrett’s voice. “Great, you’re already here,” he said, seeing us.

“Your lovely wife is already here too,” said Mom. “Have you ever tried arriving together?”

“I’m working a case, Mom. Traci knows that.”

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