Dead in a Week (Forensic Instincts 7)

Clearly, Terri was not. “By knowing the Wi-Fi networks in the area from the scan that Philip did for me, I was able to find traces left by the devices that had connected to the various Wi-Fi networks,” she said. “Once I had device-specific information, it was just a matter of hacking into the T-Mobile systems and coming in over their cell network to the people and devices who were in the restaurant at the same time as Lauren. I just used the device trails I found on Wi-Fi networks to find those same cell phones on T-Mobile’s cell network.”

“Why T-Mobile?” Marc asked. He wasn’t surprised by Terri’s enthusiasm over her tech work. Ryan practically embraced his computer when he came up with major discoveries. So this was business as usual.

“There are four main cell carriers in Germany,” Terri reported. “T-Mobile is by far the largest.”

Marc nodded. “Go on.”

“After that, it was just a matter of looking into the requisite photo history around that time. We got lucky. Someone had taken a group photo of their friends, all of whom were totally inebriated and celebrating who knows what. In the background were Lauren and the guy she was talking to.”

“Okay, technology lesson over,” Aidan said. “Tell us where you went from there.”

Terri was clearly unbothered by Aidan’s abruptness. They were all painfully aware that time was their enemy here.

“I found a hidden video camera installed by the restaurant owner to spy on the employees. Evidently, there have been a number of inside thefts, which they were checking out.” Terri displayed the video clip. “From this time-lapse video, you can see the kidnapper pocketing Lauren’s phone.” A quick shift and another video clip appeared. “Finally, thanks to a local ATM camera, you can see a black Mercedes van with the back of a woman with a sack over her head being forced into the side of the van and the guy—who’s the same guy we see Lauren with at the restaurant—doing the pushing. I’m running facial recognition on him.”

“It’s a long shot that he’ll be in the system,” Philip commented.

“I realize that. I won’t be restricting myself to legal or governmental channels.”

“Okay.” Aidan knew Terri’s tone. There was more to come.

“I hacked into the security system of the bank across the street from the restaurant,” she said, her face reappearing on the screen. “There were two kidnappers. The first was the man who made contact with Lauren inside the restaurant. He was approximately one hundred seventy-eight centimeters tall and weighed about seventy-five kilos.”

“Five ten, hundred sixty-five pounds,” Marc muttered to himself.

“The second kidnapper was stockier—approximately one hundred seventy-three centimeters in height and one hundred two kilos in weight.”

“Five eight and two twenty-five,” Marc murmured again, automatically making the conversions.

Terri took a sip of water, then continued. “Based on the limited audio from the bank’s surveillance cameras, I can confirm at an eighty-seven percent confidence level that the two men were speaking Albanian. That piece of information, coupled with the comparison of his face using various facial databases that link ethnicity to facial features, take us to the ninety-eight percent confidence level that Albanian organized crime is involved.”

“At least we can confirm that much,” Simone noted aloud.

“Yes, but it’s just a formality.” Aidan was sounding impatient again. “We already knew who we were dealing with. What we really need is to identify the individual himself, not just his ethnicity and dialect.” A quizzical look at Terri. “You said you’re extending your ID hunt beyond searching law enforcement criminal databases. Elaborate.”

“I’m hacking photos that have been uploaded to Facebook. I have to be very careful not to do too many in too short a time so I don’t alert the Facebook security team to my intrusion. I’ve already enlisted Ryan McKay’s help. He has some expertise in this area and together we need to launch a multipronged query of Facebook to stay under their security radar.”

“Move fast. Even if you have to risk their wrath. Wrath can be soothed. Dead bodies cannot.”

Terri sighed. “Aidan, trust me to do my job. Adding Ryan to the mix was smart. He’s good and he’s fast. We’ll get it done.”

“I know.” Aidan rubbed his eyes as if to take himself down a notch. “I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”

“We’re all on edge,” Simone said in a calming tone. “But failure is not in our vocabulary.”

Aidan’s gaze flickered to her. “You arrived in Santa Clara on schedule?”

Simone nodded. “Yes, and I’ve already had a conversation with Vance Pennington. He’s shaky but manageable, certainly by you. He’ll be flying in from Tahoe for a few hours tomorrow morning to meet with me and to introduce me to the numerous areas within his department. All part of my cover.” A thoughtful look. “Obviously, he’s going to ask me more about what’s going on. Can I share a bare-bones overview of our plans and our progress?”

“Use your judgement, but yes. You’re better at people than anyone.” Aidan looked concerned, but not about that. “Simone, make sure that Pennington flies back to Tahoe ASAP. Quick daily commutes to the office during family vacations are standard operating procedure for high-level execs. That won’t raise any red flags. Prolonged visits will.”

“Prolonged visits won’t be necessary,” Simone replied. “Once I’m in place, I can connect with Pennington by phone. You’ll be the one to shuttle back and forth to Tahoe to manage him and his family.”

“Yup. I’ll get my frequent flier miles all filled up.”

“What about the photocopy of Lauren’s passport?” Simone asked. “Did Vance get it to you?”

“Yes. Thanks for reminding me. Terri, contact our guy about making a new passport for Lauren. Pay him extra. We need it yesterday.”