Page 47 of Look for Me

Why can’t we trust the FBI?

The question gnawed at Martin long after he had left Pilar’s hotel room. He called Pete right after his meeting with Pilar.

Pete didn’t want to talk over the phone for some reason. Instead, he invited Martin to meet with him—not at his house, but at Angelina’s houseboat.

Martin wasn’t allowed to drive his bright tangerine Shelby.

And no Uber or Lyft either.

Martin took a cab to the corner of Overseas Highway and Sunset Boulevard. Fifteen minutes later, a little gray Toyota showed up to pick him up.

The driver was wearing a hat and large sunglasses covered half her face. Her nails were painted bright red.

“Hello, Angelina.” Martin smiled as he fastened his seat belt.

“How did you know it was me?” Angelina sighed.

“I guessed.”

Angelina didn’t answer her. “Did you know I used to work as a dispatcher?”

“You did? I had no idea. Thank you for your service.” Martin didn’t know what else to say.

“I did what I could since I flunked out of the police academy.”

“It’s a difficult job.”

“I tried.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“Three times.” Angelina drove within speed limits and turned on her blinker long before she made a turn into any street. “After that, I took it as a sign from God that I wasn’t cut out to be a police officer even though that has always been my dream.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Martin wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

“Because I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t qualified to help you and Pete find Dinah and Dahlia.”

“It never crossed my mind.” What crossed his mind was his own thoughts that Pilar found him lacking.

No matter.

Pete had offered to help. Martin accepted it without knowing what Pete could or could not do.

Martin had kept the original photographs of the SUV vehicle tag and the men who visited Corinne before she was abducted. All that might lead to something, right?

Maybe if he and Pete put their heads together…

“I’m assuming that since Pete asked you to pick me up, that he had briefed you on what’s happening,” Martin said.

Angelina nodded. “I don’t know how much I can help. It’s been a while since I was a dispatcher, but I would have you know that I kept up with my other skills.”

“What other skills?”

“I guess Pete didn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

Angelina smiled. “Is spaghetti for lunch okay with you?”

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