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Jeff was sitting in his office, looking over requests for assistance from law enforcement across the country, when Alice buzzed to tell him Monty wanted to see him.
“Send him in.”
When Monty opened the door, Jeff motioned for him to have a seat. “What’s going on?”
“I went to the CP to see if Todd and Bethany needed help with questionnaires or surveys,” he said, frowning. “They may have a lead on the UNSUB. ASAC Williams pulled me aside and brought me up-to-date.”
“She didn’t have to do that,” Jeff said.
“I know, but I’m sure she knew I’d share the information with you. She knows how concerned we all are about Alex.”
“So what did she say?”
“They found the last people who ran Magic Land Park. Although it’s true a lot of parks paid cash to the people they hired, these guys kept records. Not for the IRS, just for themselves. Williams had to promise they wouldn’t turn them in. Of course, even if they did, it’s so long ago, I don’t think the IRS could do anything.”
“Did they learn anything that might help?”
“A last name for this Lum.”
“And that name is...”
“Jones.”
Jeff’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You can imagine how many Joneses live in this country. And even though Lum is unusual, it could be a middle name. Or a nickname. They’re searching now. The owners didn’t know the father. Lum told them he’d died a few years before he showed up at Magic Land Park. Oh, one other thing. I guess one night after the park closed, some of the carnies were sitting around talking. The owner was there, and they were all sharing about their families. Lum said he had grandparents who lived in Virginia, but he didn’t really know them.”
“That’s it?”
Monty nodded. “Unless someone at the CP has magical powers, I’m not sure this newest information will help them find Alex.”
“The grandparents might not even have the same last name. They might be his mother’s parents.”
“Yeah. Feels like we take one step forward and end up two steps back.”
“What did they come up with as far as the dead kids?” Jeff asked.
“Emily Marsden was just a regular teenager. Loved to have fun with her friends. Enjoyed amusement parks and carnivals. Always went to the Memorial Day celebration at Magic Land.”
“Any enemies?”
“Not according to her parents. But after checking with some of her classmates, it seems she was kind of a mean girl.”
“That sounds right.”
“Yeah. Liked to make fun of kids at school who weren’t as cool as she was. So the way Mike said she treated Lum fits.”
“I know the ASAC wants to keep me in the loop, but I’m still surprised she told you all this.”
“I think she plans to personally fill you in at some point. They’re just really busy. Two birds, one stone, I guess.”
“Anything else?”
“No. I mean, they’re looking for a connection between Lum Jones and these grandparents, but so far nothing. Without more information, they may be at a dead end.”
“Great.” Jeff was frustrated. Everyone was doing the best they could, but this wasn’t getting them anywhere.
