Page 75 of Forged in Steele

“Please,” Bristol said, in case Holloway had the car registered to a different address from his home or office.

Dispatch shared the address. Holloway’s home.

“Look up an Olive Wallace,” Bristol said. “I don’t have a DOB. Especially look for someone with priors. She’s around thirty-five.”

Bristol tapped her foot as she waited.

“Search came back with three listings, but none of them have priors and none are that age. All are women fifty and up.”

“Thanks.” Bristol ended the call and scrolled through the contact list until she found Liddy, a county social worker. Her friend answered on the first ring.

“Liddy? It’s Bristol Steele. How are you?” Bristol tried to sound cheerful and casual.

“Good.” She paused. “But you really don’t want to know that, do you? You want a favor.”

Bristol cringed. “Am I that transparent?”

“I can’t think of a time you called just to say hi.” Liddy chuckled. “But then I do the same thing, and it goes both ways, right? So what do you need?”

Bristol had always appreciated Liddy’s straightforward behavior and helpfulness. “I’m checking to see if you have a caseworker named Olive Wallace in your department.”

“Name’s not familiar, but we have a few new hires so let me check the directory.”

Bristol heard Liddy’s fingers clicking over her keyboard. Bristol wanted to hurry her up so she tapped her finger on the walnut dining table as she waited.

“Nope,” Liddy said. “No one named Olive at all.”

Drat.“If I text you a picture, can you tell me if you recognize the woman?”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

Bristol located the picture from Jared and sent the text.

“Got it,” Liddy said. “But no to that too. I’ve never seen this woman. Did she say she worked here?”

“I could be mistaken,” Bristol said, not willing to give away any information on the investigation.

“Ah,” Liddy said. “You can’t say. Okay. Anything else?”

Was there? Could she mention Holloway? She had to give it a try. “Have you ever heard of an adoption attorney named Everett Holloway?”

“Heard of him, but never had any dealings with him.”

“What have you heard?”

“Just that he’s a high-priced adoption attorney and places a lot of babies.”

“Any concerns about him?” Bristol tried not to lead Liddy but wanted to go deeper.

“I’ve heard he likes to shortcut the home study.” Liddy tsked. “But he meets the minimal requirements, so no charges can be brought against him.”

“But he’s legit as far as you know?”

“As far as I know, but I assume if you’re asking questions that might not be true.” She sighed. “I can ask around about him if you want.”

“Not necessary.” Bristol left it at that. She didn’t want anything to get back to Holloway and raise his suspicions. “Thanks for your help, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this conversation confidential.”

“Will do, as always,” Liddy said.

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