Page 95 of Tangled Trust

Oh, God! Please help me. I don’t want to die!

* * *

"Mr. Moore, it’s Detective Anderson."

"Have you found her?"

"No, but there’s something I’d like you to take a look at. Are you at home?"

"Yes."

"Stay there. I’m on my way over."

I have a feeling I know who the woman is on the footage we pulled off the parking mall camera. But I need Carter Moore to confirm it for me before I can make my next move, so I make my way out to his estate.

Impressive. It’s a pity money can’t buy loyalty.

Carter’s butler shows me to his office.

"Please. Come in, Detective. Have a seat. What do you want to show me?"

What? No coffee or expensive brandy? Straight to business, hey. Alrighty.

"Have a look at this footage, please. It’s Ella’s car arriving at the mall parking lot. Do you recognize the driver? Is it Ella?"

Moore looks at the image frozen on my screen. I can tell from the look on his face that he knows who the woman is.

He looks up at me and then back at the screen before he speaks.

"Amanda?"

"Is this your ex-wife?"

"Yes, but…"

The man is speechless. I’ve seen this look many times in my career. People think they know the people in their lives intimately. Until they don’t.

"I don’t understand," he says in a near whisper. "Amanda is fine with Ella and I. She’s…"

"I think we’d better call your ex-wife and ask her to come into the station, Mr. Moore. I’m sure you’d agree."

He nods.

"I’ll call you when I’ve spoken to Amanda," I say, getting up to leave.

"No! I’m coming with you. I want to be there when she comes in. If she knows where Ella is, I need to be there."

I can tell from his tone that Carter Moore isn’t asking for permission. He’s a powerful man, and I don't intend on losing my job over this.

"Of course," I relent. "But, please, allow me to do my job, Mr. Moore. She may clam up if she knows you’re there, so it’s best if you stay out of sight."

"Fine. Let’s go."

I call Scott from my car.

"Hello, Detective."

"Scott, I have a little favor to ask."

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