Remi finally shared a little more information after I showed him Ryan Wells’s picture.I didn’t enjoy doing that—scaring him into talking—but in this case I felt the end justified the means.I don’t want my baby to end up as Ryan did.
He admitted he knew our victim, although only by sight, both in person and from an online profile picture in a group they apparently were both in.Although, Ryan had apparently used a handle instead of his name.He’d seen the other kid around at a few of Linc’s high school football games last year—he played for the team of a rival high school—and recognized the boy’s picture when it showed up in the online group Remi joined at the end of the last school year.That’s the group KC is looking into now.
Unfortunately, Remi still didn’t have a name for us, but at least he was able to share the way he was recruited.
He can’t remember who actually recommended the forum—he thinks it may have been someone from his shop class—but he says it wasn’t long after he joined that he was contacted in a private message.The person who contacted him had the grille of an old Chevy as his profile pic and used the handle, KingRides-78.In the message he was invited to connect with other young car enthusiasts in an exclusive group, and included a link for Remi to download a special app to his phone.
The phone that is now missing…as is Ryan Wells’s phone.
KC is going to look for that group, to see if he can confirm the other boy was a member as well, but in my gut I already know.I had a feeling there was a connection between these two cases and with every piece of information confirming it, my fear for my son grows bigger.
This app Remi was told to download looked like some kind of game at first.He had to enter information, his age, his location, and his dream vehicle, and then was given a series of challenges to complete.Each was supposed to test his skills, but also held a certain monetary value.His earnings would be held for him in a virtual savings account until he had enough to buy his dream vehicle.
The theft of the catalytic converters was one of Remi’s challenges.He was given instructions to leave them underneath the dumpster in the alley behind the Bread & Butter Diner.Of course, they never made it there.Remi said he was embarrassed, and chose not to respond to the several notifications he was sent through the app.
The specified drop-off location for the converters suggests some familiarity with Silence, and might even mean someone local is involved.
My guess is, the app probably also included some kind of tracker, because they knew exactly where he was, forced him to give up his phone, threatened to kill him if he told anyone, and proceeded to beat him up to make their point.
Whoever concocted this scam is the worst kind of lowlife, conning impressionable teens by exploiting their dreams, and corrupting them into criminal activity.It’s sickening.
It was hard to leave Remi with Clem, when all I wanted to do was bundle him up and hide him away.However, the best way to keep him and other kids like him safe is to find whoever is behind this.Also, Clem offered to ask the security company monitoring his place to keep a closer eye out, which made me feel a little better about leaving.
“Given this new development, I think we should consider calling in the FBI for assistance,” Hugo suggests, stopping in front of my desk.“There is only so much KC can do compared to their cyber investigation specialists.The FBI has more clout, can get things done faster, while we’re still waiting for Ryan’s damn phone records,” he points out.“We need those resources, Tessa.”
I’ve already put in a request with my provider over the weekend to pull any information they can on what apps were downloaded on Remi’s phone, and whatever text messages they can retrieve as well.I’m still waiting to hear from them too.
Investigators are a funny breed, generally very territorial.In my previous job, it wasn’t unusual for me to get called in on an investigation and take over the lead, at worst, I’d occasionally have to contend with shared responsibilities with other law enforcement agencies.But I’ve never really been in a position where I might have to hand over a case, which is a real possibility with this investigation if the FBI is called in.Logically, it would make sense—given there are already three different jurisdictions involved, and we’re likely dealing with criminal activity crossing state lines—but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
But the reality is, my son could be in danger.Whatever individual or group behind this has already proven they will not stop at a beating; they are willing to kill.If they even suspect Remi spilled the beans—and they might once they find out we’re looking into their scam—they could well be back for him.
So as much as it pains me to give this case out of hand, I nod at Hugo.
“I agree.Call them in.”
As soon as he’s gone, I put a call in to Steve Haynes to share my updates, and give him the heads-up about calling in the feds.He agrees with the decision, and says he’ll ask around if any of Ryan’s contacts have heard of the Retro Chevy forum.He also offers to pass on the information to Zuri Warner, which I’m grateful for.
I still have a few potential locations to check out.It might be a wild-goose chase, but I’d like to at least be able to strike those off my list before the FBI swoops in.
“Can you hold down the fort here?”I ask Rick, stopping by his desk.“I’m going to check out those last few empty buildings we have on that list.”
“I’ll do it,” he offers, getting to his feet.“You don’t want to be out of reach in case your kid is trying to get hold of you.Besides, you’re the best equipped to put together a complete timeline with events, names, dates, evidence, leads, and anything else they need to know.In my experience, it’s the first thing the feds will be asking for.You may as well get ahead of the game.”
I guess working for the Coeur d’Alene police department, Rick has had to hand over investigations to the FBI before.
“If you’re sure.”
“Yeah, absolutely.Where am I going?”
I hand over the list Rowan helped me compile.He quickly scans it and nods.
“Just three, that’s not too bad.But I notice the quarry isn’t listed here.Have you checked around there already?”
“Which quarry?”
“Lizard Peak.I think it shut down just a few years ago.Plenty of empty buildings that would be suitable for an operation like this.”
“I wasn’t aware,” I admit.
