Page 75 of Obsession

“I understand. If you say it’s necessary, then it’s necessary.”

“It is.”

“Thanks, Mike,” Teddy said, then hung up.

“What am I looking for?” Hansen asked.

“I’m not exactly sure. Weapons, drugs, anything unusual. I’m taking Matthew away from the set for a while, so don’t do anything until we leave.”

“Got it.”

“When you finish, call me.”

Teddy checked his watch on his walk back to his car. He’d been at the set for almost fifteen minutes. That should have been more than enough time for Rivera andthe men he’d taken with him to get to where they needed to be.

Matthew was leaning against a telephone pole near the Porsche when Teddy returned. As soon as he saw Teddy, he stood.

Teddy gave him a wave. “Sorry to keep you waiting. That’s the movie business. Every time you say one minute, you mean a quarter hour.”

“No problem, Mr. Barnett.” While there was a smile on Matthew’s face when he said this, Teddy sensed an undercurrent of nervous tension.

They climbed into the car and Teddy drove them away from the set.

“Have you enjoyed your time hanging out with the cast?” Teddy asked.

“Yes, very much. It’s been amazing. I never expected to have this kind of opportunity.”

“Good thing you had some free time.”

“I’m actually here on vacation.”

“Oh. You’re not from Santa Barbara?”

“No. I live in L.A.”

“Is that right? Then it’s our good fortune you’re here this week. You’ve helped us out twice.”

“Just luck, I guess.”

“I believe we make our own luck, Matthew.” Teddyglanced over. “This is all happening because of your actions.”

“Right place, right time. That’s all.”

That sounded good, but Teddy caught the brief flicker of concern that crossed Matthew’s face, as if he was wondering if Teddy knew something he shouldn’t.

If Teddy hadn’t already been convinced that the shooting in which Matthew had come to Stacy and Adriene’s aid had somehow been Matthew’s doing, he would be now.

As much as Teddy would have liked to take Matthew somewhere he could interrogate him about his true intentions, Teddy needed to be in position when the next hostage video arrived. If he wasn’t, he’d lose his only potential chance to locate Rebecca. His chat with Matthew would have to wait. For now, keeping Matthew isolated so he couldn’t harm anyone would have to suffice.

Teddy drove them across the city to the edge of the industrial area from where the calls to Kordo had come.

After parking at the curb, he said, “Wait here.”

“Where are you going?”

“To take care of a problem for a friend.” Teddy climbed out. “Don’t worry. I shouldn’t be too long.”

He opened the Porsche’s front trunk, removed his small duffel bag, and disappeared into the space between two buildings.

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