“Here’s what I know. Diesel stopped by her place this morning to check in, and she wasn’t there.”
“Are you watching her?”
“Not all the time. I told you we backed off on surveillance.”
I got it. Around-the-clock detail was expensive, particularly when there was no known threat. “Are you tracking her?”
“Negative. Come on, Tackle, think. We gave her a new identity, a place to live, and even tried to get her a job. There isn’t any reason for us to track her.”
“Copy that. Any idea how long she’s been gone or where she might be?”
“Negative.”
“You said you tried to get her a job. Could she be at work?”
Ranger laughed. “Emphasis on the word tried. She didn’t last a day. The other thing to note is the woman isn’t typically out of bed before ten, so the fact that she was already gone this morning made Diesel think she hadn’t just run to the store.”
“When did he stop by?”
“Two hours ago, and she hasn’t returned.”
“I guess I should call Doc.”
“That would be my advice.”
“Thanks, Ranger, and sorry about snapping at you.”
“I get it.”
“Tackle,” said Doc when he answered my call. “I just got word from Diesel that Claudette Caruso has vanished.”
Vanished? That was a strong word. While Diesel seemed to think the woman wouldn’t leave the house that early in the morning, there was still the possibility she was out running errands…or something.
“Have you attempted contact?” Doc asked.
“Not yet. I just landed, talked to Ranger, and called you.”
“Copy that. See if you can get her to respond to you.”
“Will do.” I hung up and called the number of the phone K19 had provided to her. As much as I didn’t want her to have my number, this time I had no choice. It went straight to voicemail.
No luck, read the text I sent to Doc. Headed to her place now.
Copy that, he responded.
27
Sloane
I had so many questions, I didn’t know where to begin. “What are you doing here?” I blurted.
“Can I come in?”
“Whatever you have to say to me, you can say from where you are.”
“Okay, if that’s how you want to play this.”
“I don’t want to play anything, so either say what you have to say or leave.”