In the frame I can see an employee serving a young woman, with two people waiting in line behind her.In the background, only one of the cubbyholes is occupied.I’m looking at the back of a man, wearing what looks like a dark-colored windbreaker and a dark ball cap.
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be looking at, but I keep my eyes on that ball cap as I dial Mancuso’s number.
“Did you see him?”is what the agent answers with.
“Looking at the video now.The guy in the ball cap?”
“Yeah, wait till he gets up.You’ll get a glimpse of his face.”
I narrow my eyes on the screen when I see the guy get up and slowly turn around.His forehead and eyes are obscured by the bill of his ball cap, but I can see his nose and mouth.Hitting pause, I freeze his image on the screen as I lean in a little closer.There’s something about him that looks familiar.
“Who am I looking at?”I ask, hoping for a clue.
“I don’t know, but we’re pretty sure that’s the guy who calls himself KingRides-78.The feed is from late yesterday afternoon.”
KingRides-78 was the individual who recruited Remi in that Chevy forum and sent him the link for the app download.If they can identify him, it would be a great breakthrough.
I back up the video and replay the guy getting up again, hoping to maybe catch a different angle.
“Am I supposed to know him?”
“You tell me… I showed Remi the video and he had a distinct reaction to it.He seemed surprised when Ball Cap turned around at first, but then immediately the shutters went down.He wouldn’t even look at the screen anymore and simply denied recognizing anyone.”
“But you think he’s lying.”
“No doubt in my mind, which is why I’m hoping you may be able to help figure this out.”
I replay the entire segment again, hoping something will trigger.
“I don’t know, I wish I could see more of his face.I feel like I’ve seen him before somewhere, but for the life of me I can’t recall when or where.Is there any other footage?A different angle, maybe?”
“The place only has the one camera inside, and I’m still waiting for the travel agency across the street to open so we can get access to their security video.”
“Well, if anything shows up on there, send it straight to my phone, in case I’m out and about,” I suggest.“And in the meantime, I’ll go over this clip a few more times, and I’ll let you know if I recall anything.”
Clem
“Boss!Phone!”
I turn to see Manuel lifting my desk phone in the air.I hadn’t even heard it ring.
My mind has been drifting today—mostly to Tessa, who I saw arriving at the station this morning, but haven’t talked to yet—and I can’t seem to focus on much else.Luckily, I can operate on autopilot, my hands doing all of the work from muscle memory without too much need for thought.
Wiping my hands on the rag tucked into my pocket, I head over to my office and take the phone from Manny.
“Tanek here.”
“I’ve got a problem, Tanek.”
I recognize the mayor’s voice but don’t want to give him the satisfaction.
“Sorry, who is this?”
“It’s your goddamn mayor,” he snaps.
I get the sense he’s not too happy about something.
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
