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He answers with a loaded look that seems to askseriously?
“I mean, what kinds of things happened that might have caused Sophia to leave?”
“Normal stuff.” He rests back against the chair. “At least, I think it’s normal. She didn’t like her curfew. Said it was earlier than anyone she knew. She had plans to go to a concert with friends, and I said she couldn’t go without a parent. I was apparently the only parent who required an adult chaperone.” He gazes out the window. “I didn’t allow her to date.” His fist raps the desk. “I’m strict. But I’ve observed my nephew. I don’t want Sophia to be some Paris Hilton.”
I glance at Alex. Her expression is sympathetic. Soft.
“What about the FBI? Don’t they handle missing persons cases?”
“Twelve and under, they would automatically become involved. They are less likely to take on a case like this,” Alex answers.
“Have you tried?” I direct my question to Sullivan.
“No. If the police aren’t taking it seriously, why would the FBI?” His professional mask slips, exposing hints of the emotional father within.
“I have contacts within the FBI. None in missing persons, but I can inquire.”
Sullivan clasps the knot on his tie and wiggles it loose. “Do whatever you need. Just be discreet.”
“You’ve contacted all of her friends? Anyone you can think of that she might be with?”
“All of them. It’s pretty efficient to do that these days, thanks to texting.” He places his head in his hands and roughly massages his forehead. “I don’t know what to do. Please. I’ll pay you whatever you want. Tell me your fee, and I’ll double it.”
I can understand why he is offering money, but from my perspective, it’s not about the money. The much bigger question is if Arrow is the best solution. Unfortunately, I do have some personal experience with teen troubles. But I don’t believe Jack could possibly know. The records are sealed, but I, of all people, understand that doesn’t mean the records can’t be discovered.
“Does she drink? Could she be involved in drugs?”
Jack closes his eyelids. His nostrils flare. “I don’t know.” When he opens his eyes and looks at me, I see a sad shell of a man full of self-doubt. “If you had asked me yesterday, I would have said absolutely not. But now, I don’t know. I don’t know anything. Not for certain.”
Arrow’s specialty isn’t missing persons, but we can track people. We’ve found plenty of people who didn’t want to be found.
“Does she have credit cards? Cash?”
“Probably both. She doesn’t have a spending limit on her credit cards. I’m not strict with her on spending. I’ve never needed to be.” Jack looks between Dr. Rolfe and me. “Come back with me. I’ll fly you down in my helicopter. Maybe there’s something in my house I missed.”
We should search the house for anything he overlooked. Her bedroom. I’d like to check out his security cameras, walk the grounds. If he’s right and this is a kidnapping, they’ll be calling soon, but if we can get a jump on learning who these people are, we’ll be in a better place as we negotiate ransom. And if she shows up randomly today, then all I’ve lost is one business day and one more trip to San Diego. If she did indeed run away, she probably did some degree of planning or research.
“I have a helicopter. I can fly down,” he responds with a slow blink and a tight nod. Reflexively, I check my wrist and mentally scan my schedule. “I can leave in a few hours.”
“Alexandria?”
“You didn’t say…” Her pen lowers. “I met you here because you asked. I can’t just head off to San Diego. I have responsibilities. I have a class to teach.” Jack spins his chair to address her.
“Alex. Sophia is missing. Sophia. Cassandra’s daughter.” Jack’s voice rises several decibels, breaking all professional bounds. “She calls you Aunt Alex.”
The woman closes her eyes and bows her head, remorseful. The pressure is unwarranted. We don’t need her. She’s inexperienced.
“I can go down. She doesn’t need to come.” But Jack doesn’t seem to hear me.
“Cassandra thought the world of you and your father. She’d want you to help find her daughter. And I trust you. You know her.”
I stand, backing away from the table to give them a moment. It’s possible he’s dating her. Ample emotion undulates between them. If they need space, I’ll give it to them.
“I can’t just leave. I have a dog,” Alex pleads.
“Get someone to take care of it.” Jack’s tone is determined and insistent.
“I have to prep my TA.” Color rises in those pale cheeks, and I suspect she’s panicking.
