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I nod.
“Howard and Martha Counsel are lodging. The mystery man... I’m thinking he’s muscle. Like, the enforcer of the operation. A girl gets out of line, a member of the organization appears on the verge of talking—”
“He takes action.”
“Exactly. Now let’s consider other roles. Marketing. Which I’m guessing takes place over the dark web. These ghost tourists who are coming into town. Who is reaching out to them, or how do they know to come here? Gotta be a dark web interface. Only way it could work.”
“Agreed.”
“Meaning we need to start asking around for someone with computer skills. That person will be the gatekeeper of a massive amount of information. Find him or her, we could blow this thing wide open.”
I look up at Keith. “Didn’t the ATV guy mention something? A town clerk who was working with the mayor starting ten years ago to boost Niche’s profile, lure in tourists?”
“Dorothea,” Keith murmured. “I think that was her name. And yeah, she fits perfectly. Raising the town’s profile could very well be a euphemism for advertising goods on the dark web. Lodging packages could refer to all sorts of things. Yes, let’s start by interrogating the town clerk. Perfect!”
“You’re good at this.”
“Remember that tomorrow when SSA Quincy and Sergeant Warren tear my theory to shreds. But, Flora, there’s an even bigger role we haven’t discussed yet.” Keith sits up straighter, peers down at me earnestly. “Who’s running this enterprise? The missing cook? She doesn’t sound smart enough. The missing maid? Quincy has already said she’s most likely a victim, not a perpetrator. That leaves us with this UNSUB they’ve talked about—but again, he sounds more like brawn than brains. Meaning...”
“We still don’t know who’s in charge.”
“Meaning, we still don’t know who to trust.”
We stare at each other for a long time in the glow of the bedside lamp.
“I’m really glad I brought my knife,” I say.
“And I’m really glad I travel with you by my side,” Keith answers.
