Looking for Lainey Read online

  Mitch?

  Her gut told her it was.

  The last vision she had was of socks again.

  What was with the socks?

  Carissa opened her eyes. She got up off of the floor and grabbed her cell phone. She called Dustin and he answered on the third ring.

  “What’s up?” he murmured.

  “Mitch has the kids at his place,” she said quickly.

  “What? We were just there. Are you sure?”

  She explained her vision. “Okay, so maybe I don’t know for sure, but it feels right to me.”

  “That’s good enough for me,” he said, sounding wide awake.

  His confidence in her abilities made her warm inside. “I’m coming with you.”

  “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Dustin, if you think I’m letting you confront Mitch alone, you’ve got another thing coming.”

  “I won’t go alone. I’ll call the police if that makes you feel better.”

  Carissa relaxed. Still, she wanted to be there and told him.

  “No,” he argued. “If something goes wrong, I don’t want you hurt. I’ll call Detective Samuels.”

  “What are you going to tell him?”

  “I don’t know yet. Let me worry about that. You just stay put. Understand?”

  “Yes,” she mumbled.

  “I’ll call you when I know something.”

  “Okay.”

  Chapter 43

  Dustin

  AFTER HANGING UP with Carissa, Dustin looked up Detective Samuels phone number and left him a message. They’d spoken together on a few occasions and, in fact, the two had once worked at the same precinct. The man was definitely a hard-head and Dustin knew that convincing him to check out Mitch would be almost improbable. Especially, when he told him why he believed that Mitch was now a suspect.

  A short time later, Dustin was in his truck and heading back toward Mitch’s place. As he drove onto the freeway, his phone rang. It was Samuels.

  “So, what proof do you have that this guy, Mitch, is involved with the kidnapping?” Samuels asked him.

  Dustin took a deep breath and told him the truth. It was truly all he had and something told him that he’d find out about Carissa’s allegation from Beth anyway.

  “So, you’re assuming that he’s involved because Carissa Jones saw it in a ‘vision’?” he replied wryly.

  “It’s a good lead and you know very well that she helped with cases similar to this before. Like the one you were involved with last year,” he reminded him.

  Samuels grunted. “She was lucky.”

  It was like pulling teeth with him, thought Dustin.

  “Luck? She didn’t even know the kidnapper but ID’d him and saved that little boy. Anyway, the point is that everyone around Lainey should be a suspect, especially since the video shows how she responded to the kidnapper. You saw it. Lainey knew the man who took her. It was on her face.”

  “Have you talked to Beth about this guy yet?”

  “Yes and, to be honest, she wasn’t sure what to think.” Dustin then told him about Mitch being in town the night Lainey was taken. “He was supposed to be in Colorado, with his brother, Mike, but stayed behind.”

  Samuels let out a ragged breath. “Look, we’ll go and interview him tomorrow. Not in the middle of the night.”

  “And what if it’s too late? What if he has her right now and tomorrow, Lainey is out of our reach?”

  “I highly doubt that her future brother-in-law, Mitch, has her locked away in his basement. Hell, even if he is involved, which is highly unlikely, he isn’t going to let us in anyway, and we don’t have a search warrant. Now, I know you’re just trying to help but the hell if I’m going on some kind of wild goose chase, especially at this hour. Especially because of some psychic’s hunch.”

  Dustin knew that the conversation wasn’t going anywhere and he was on his own. “Fine. You interview him tomorrow,” he said evenly. “And while you’re doing it, you might want to check out his financial situation. He’s obviously pulling in a lot of cash. More than someone who’s a co-owner of a modest art gallery.”

  “From what Beth said, the two brothers seem to be doing very well for themselves in the art business,” Samuels said.

  “Maybe. Maybe not. I’d still check it out,” Dustin replied, thinking of Mitch’s home. A newly constructed place like that, right on the river, had to cost well over a million dollars. Not to mention, he owned fifty acres of land.

  “We’ll look into it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now, is there anything else Ms. Jones is predicting that I should be concerned about?” he asked dryly. “Maybe a shooting in Minneapolis or a drug deal gone wrong in St. Paul? Or are her premonitions strictly limited to missing children in the suburbs?”

  Dustin rolled his eyes. He hadn’t changed a bit. “Carissa is passionate about helping children, so I imagine that’s why she focuses on that more than anything. Anyway, I just want you to take this lead seriously. It could save Lainey

  “I’ll do what I can.”

  After hanging up, Dustin continued his route to Stillwater, deciding not to tell Carissa that he was going to Mitch’s alone. She wouldn’t stand for it and more than likely, get in her SUV and meet him there.

  Chapter 44

  Mitch

  MITCH SPENT THE next hour trying to figure out how Yury ran his auctions in the dark web and found it was more difficult to maneuver around than he’d anticipated. One couldn’t just lookup ‘how to sell children’ and be provided with trusted instructions and links. And then there was the possibility of causing red flags, especially since he didn’t know what he was doing. Of course, from what Kurt had explained before, the Tor program was supposed to help hide his true I.P. address. Still, it was all new to him and he knew that one wrong move could jeopardize everything.

  After about an hour into his search, Yury stumbled upon a site he found in Yury’s browsing history, where he was automatically logged in. Or, at least “Cobra” was. It was there that he clicked into a chatroom and quickly greeted by someone named “Johnnyrotpotato”. Immediately this person sent him a private message, asking about the auction.

  Mitch grinned. “Bingo.”

  Johnnyrotpotato: I saw the pix of the newest merchandise. Very impressive. The sale is Friday at 7pm still, correct?

  Mitch wanted to ask him where he’d seen the photos but refrained. He imagined Yury uploaded them into his own part of the dark web to build hype up for the upcoming auction.

  Cobra: Not sure. Having some issues and might just sell the merchandise earlier.

  Johnnyrotpotato: Issues? What kind?

  Cobra: They’re personal. I can’t get into it.

  Johnnyrotpotato: So, what’s the bottom price you’d be asking?

  Mitch felt his heart begin to race. Maybe he could get rid of the kids sooner than he’d thought. He decided to request a price that sounded reasonable, although he had no idea if he was low-balling the asking amount.

  Cobra: $100,000 for both.

  There was a long pause and then –

  Johnnyrotpotato: How about $50k for both?

  Mitch frowned. Obviously, he would take it but wasn’t about to give up that easily.

  Cobra: Sorry. $100k for both. You know of anyone serious about buying, let me know.

  Mitch could tell that he was typing something and waited.

  Johnnyrotpotato: Okay. $75k for both. My final offer.

  He tapped his thumb nervously, unsure of what to do. The money sounded good and he knew that he had to lose the kids as soon as possible. But, he didn’t know who the hell this ‘Johnny’ person really was.

  He could even be a cop.

  Paranoid, Mitch started typing his refusal when the magic words popped up on his screen. Ones that changed his mind.

  Johnnyrotpotato: I’ll even pay mileage and shipping fees. Like last time.

  Mitch smiled in relief. This guy had done business with
Yury before. That was all he needed to know.

  Cobra: Accepted. $75k. For both.

  Johnnyrotpotato: Great. I’ll send you an address and will wire you half now and half upon receipt of said merchandise. Just like last time.

  Cobra: Sounds good.

  Johnnyrotpotato: Obviously, discretion and trust needs to go both ways. I will not tolerate anything less. Nor will my associates.

  Mitch wasn’t sure of which associates he was referring to, but he had no intention of screwing over the buyer. He would even personally deliver the little shits himself.

  Cobra: Understandable.

  After they discussed where to wire the money, ‘Johnny’ requested a dated video, for proof of ‘merchandise’. Mitch agreed, and after a few more seconds of chatting, the two logged off.

  Mitch shut down the laptop and picked up his phone. He turned off the lights and was about to leave his office when he looked out the window and noticed a pair of headlights in the far distance.

  Chapter 45

  Dustin

  DUSTIN DROVE SLOWLY toward Mitch’s place. As he drew closer to the winding driveway, he turned off his lights. The house looked quiet but from the extra tire tracks in the snow, he suspected the man was now home.

  Shutting off the engine, he took out his binoculars, to get a closer view of the place. It was then that his phone rang.

  Carissa.

  Sighing, he answered it.

  “What’s happening?” she asked in a shaky voice.

  “Nothing. I just arrived back at Mitch’s.”

  “Is Samuels with you?”

  “No.”

  She sucked in her breath. “You’re by yourself?”

  “Yes. I’m fine, though. Don’t worry.”

  “What did Samuels say?”

  “Not much. I don’t think he believes that Mitch had anything to do with the case.”

  “So, he’s not checking him out?” she asked in disbelief.

  “He is. But not until later in the day.”

  She groaned. “Let me guess, he found out that I’m involved?”

  “I had to tell him the truth. I’m sure he’ll speak to Beth and she’ll inform him of how you initially alleged Mitch’s involvement earlier.”

  Carissa was silent for a few seconds and then sighed. “I suppose. What about Dubov?”

  “His partner? What about her?”

  “I’ve met her before. She’s not as pigheaded as Samuels and might take me more seriously.”

  “Do you have her number?”

  “Yeah. She gave me her card during the Stephen Cutler kidnapping. Unlike Samuels, she didn’t treat me like a total flake.”

  “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to call her,” Dustin said, lifting his binoculars again.

  Had he seen movement by the house?

  “I think it’s worth a shot and we’re running out of time.” She sighed. “What are you planning on doing, now that you’re there?”

  “I’m going to try and get close to the house again. I think he’s home now, too.”

  She groaned. “Crap. That figures. And you’re alone. You be careful.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “Dustin, I’m getting some bad vibes about this,” she replied.

  “Don’t worry about me. This isn’t my first surveillance, you know,” he said with a wry smile.

  “I know but… I’m just worried.”

  “Your lack of confidence in my P.I. skills is a little disheartening, my dear,” he teased.

  “You know that’s not true. I’m just worried. You can never be too cautious, you know?”

  “Carissa, get some sleep,” Dustin repeated. “If something comes up, I’ll call you.”

  She let out a ragged sigh. “Okay.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He hung up the phone and was about to raise the binoculars again, when someone rapped on the driver’s side window. Startled, Dustin turned to find their suspect, Mitch Olson, staring at him, a furious look on his face.

  Shit.

  He rolled down his window.

  “Are you lost?” Mitch asked coldly.

  Dustin forced a smile to his face. “Sorry. I live up the street and lost my dog. I thought I saw him heading over here.”

  Mitch studied his face. “I haven’t seen him. This is private property. You shouldn’t be here.”

  “Aren’t you going to ask what kind of dog I have?”

  “I don’t care. I didn’t see yours, or anyone else’s, dog on my property. Which is probably a good thing for you.”

  What an asshole, thought Dustin.

  “Sorry. I’ll be on my way.”

  Glaring at him, Mitch stepped backward and folded his arms across his chest. It was at that moment Dustin noticed something on the man’s elbow. Grabbing his phone, he turned on the flashlight and aimed it toward the man’s ski jacket.

  “What the hell?” growled Mitch, shielding his eyes from the light.

  “Sorry, I thought I saw my dog behind you,” he replied. The stain on his elbow definitely looked like blood. “I’ll be on my way now.”

  Frowning, Mitch looked over his shoulder.

  Dustin rolled his window up quickly and started the engine.

  Could it have been Lainey’s blood?

  Heart pounding, he backed his vehicle away from the house until he was back on the road. From there, he drove a couple blocks away and parked on a dark street. After waiting around for a time, he got out and crept back to the house.

  Chapter 46

  Mitch

  MITCH WASN’T STUPID. He knew the stranger probably didn’t even own a dog and was stalking him. He also had a feeling he was there because of the psychic.

  I should leave with the kids.

  But where could he go?

  He couldn’t rent a motel room. There were bulletins everywhere showing the children’s faces. Mitch’s only choice was to play it cool and stay put. Obviously, his brother and Beth didn’t think he was involved with the kidnapping and there wasn’t any real evidence connecting him to it. At least he didn’t think he’d left anything behind in his truck. Plus, the police couldn’t search his house without a warrant and he knew a judge would hardly grant one just because some psychic was trying to incriminate him. All Mitch needed to do was relax and things would work themselves out.

  Still, he had a feeling the trespasser would be back and that didn’t set well with him.

  After doing another line of coke, Mitch grabbed a set of night goggles along with his gun. As he pulled his jacket back over his arm, he saw the blood stain.

  Shit.

  Angry at himself for missing it, his thoughts returned to the man in the car and how he’d flashed his phone at him.

  Had he seen the blood?

  Mitch decided that if he had, there’d be sirens all around him by now.

  Grabbing a different jacket, he snuck outside to the tree stand he’d installed early in the summer, and climbed up. Although Mitch wasn’t a hunter, he’d thought the hunting stand was a neat idea, considering the fact that there was a lot of wildlife around and it gave him a great view of the river. He’d never dreamed that he’d be using it to catch a trespasser.

  Settling into the mesh chair, he stared toward the entrance of his property and waited. As he scoured the darkness for the intruder’s return, his paranoia resurfaced.

  What if he was all wrong about the guy? What if he was actually with the Russians?

  Mitch wasn’t an idiot and knew they’d be looking for him eventually, too. Fortunately, Kurt had hidden his true identity from Yury. At least, that’s what he’d told him. For all he knew, that was a crock of shit and they were already on his tail. But then, if the intruder had been part of their circle, Mitch knew he’d be dead by now.

  The sound of twigs snapping startled him. Heart racing, he turned toward the noise and saw him.

  The man had ignored his warning.

  He’d returned.<
br />
  Shaking with anger, Mitch watched as the stranger snuck through the trees and slowly made his way over to the house. When he went around to the other side of the building, Mitch climbed down the tree, prepared to add another tick to his body count. Although he’d been pretty certain of his return, it still made his blood boil that someone was on his property and spying.

  He took the gun out of his pocket and crept around the building after him. When Mitch rounded the corner, he saw the man climbing the deck and thought he might be breaking in. But, A few seconds later, the stranger came back down.

  Raising the gun, Mitch surprised him at the bottom.

  “Whoa,” the stranger said, raising his hands in the air.

  “I told you to get off my property,” Mitch snapped. “Do you realize that I could shoot you right now and never step foot behind bars?”

  “Maybe. Maybe not,” he replied. “I’m not here to threaten you.”

  “Then who in the hell are you and what do you want?”

  “I told you before, I lost my dog.”

  Mitch grunted. “And you think he’s up on my deck or in the house?”

  He smiled weakly. “Hell, I don’t know. He’s a cute dog. Maybe you decided to keep him.”

  “I’ve had enough of this bullshit. Let me see some I.D.,” he replied.

  The man began reaching for his wallet when Mitch realized that he could also have a gun.

  “Wait a second. Hands in the air,” he snapped. “I’ll grab it.”

  Sighing, the other man raised his hands.

  “Try anything funny and you’ll never see your dog again,” he said dryly before holding his pistol up to the man’s face. Reaching around, he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and stepped back.

  “Nice place you’ve got here, by the way,” said the man, looking past him at the house. “I imagined living right next to the river costs a pretty penny?”

  Ignoring him, Mitch opened up the man’s wallet. “Dustin Frazer,” he said, reading the driver’s license. “Looks like your home address is a long ways from Stillwater. Why would your dog be out in these parts?”

  “We were doing some traveling. I had to let him out to pee on the way home.”