Chapter 26
Constance may have been a tad jaded.
“Is there any gossip about Richard and Riley?”
From the picture I saw of Riley in a bikini, I could think of a few things Richard might see in her.
“Where did Riley park her bike when she came over?”
“In the courtyard, mostly. This neighborhood is pretty safe, but we do have lowlifes that cruise through from time to time. If there’s something you don’t want, just leave it at the curb.
It will be gone in a day. That goes double for bicycles, skateboards, and toys.
” She chuckled. “Mr. Carver scoops up dog poo, boxes it up, and leaves it on the porch for the pirates. He did that a few times, and I don’t think he’s had a package stolen since. Serves them right.”
I gave her a card. “If you hear anything, let me know.”
“I will.” Then she added in a hushed tone, “Riley had a regular schedule. I think somebody may have watched her. Knew when she was coming and going. She told me she had to ride past those apartments on Canal Street.” Her face wrinkled like she smelled rotten eggs. “Anything could have happened to her.”
“We’ll keep that in mind,” I said.
We left Stingray Bay and set out to find Richard Pearson. His office was located in the Meridian Plaza on Ocean Park Place. I drove the van across the island, and we pulled into the lot.
I found a spot to park near the entrance. JD and I hopped out, climbed the steps, and walked into the lobby.
It was a typical office building with an atrium full of plants and a koi pond.
A clerk sat at a desk, scrolling through the Internet on his phone.
Richard Pearson’s capital group was located on the ninth floor.
We took the elevator up. His office took up one side of the floor.
The firm's name was etched into the large glass doors.
JD and I stepped into the office and approached the cute brunette behind the counter.
The waiting room was modern and minimalist with comfy leather couches, coffee tables, a minibar with sodas and snacks, and a stunning view of the ocean.
I flashed my badge to the receptionist and said with a smile, “We’re here to see Richard Pearson.”
Her nameplate read Aria. She beamed her pearly whites and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"
I kept smiling. "It's urgent."
I had no doubt that Julie had contacted her husband and warned him we might visit.
The receptionist picked up the phone and dialed an extension. A woman answered. Aria told her that two deputies were here. After a moment of holding, Aria got a response. "I'll let them know," she replied, then said to us, “Just take this hallway. Mr. Pearson's office is the last door on the left.”
I thanked her, and we followed her directions. I had expected Pearson to keep his mouth shut. He seemed like a smart guy, but this was a dumb move. We didn't have anything on him. Just the testimony of an unreliable witness.
Richard was on a call when we arrived at his office. The door was open. I gave a quick knock before stepping inside.
He motioned us in and said to the guy on the other end of the line, “Listen, I gotta go. I'll call you back." Richard flashed a disarming smile at us. "Gentlemen, come in. Have a seat," he said, motioning us to the chairs in front of his desk.
It was a typical corporate office. A nice corner space with a view of the ocean and floor-to-ceiling windows.
He had two widescreen displays atop his desk, and a large flatscreen on the far wall was tuned to a financial network.
The stock ticker ran across the bottom of the screen at a blistering pace.
The anchors babbled about the market and pontificated about current developments and what that meant for the future.
They didn’t know any more than anyone else.
JD and I took a seat across the desk from Richard.
"I'll make this brief, gentlemen. It’s my understanding you stopped by the house, looking for Riley.”
I nodded.
"I think it's clear where this is going, don't you?”
"Where do you think it's going?"
"I'm sure you've thought of this. Somebody is clearly setting me up. They make false accusations for a few days beforehand, then they abduct Riley. The focus is shifted toward me."
"Why?”
"You tell me. You're the detectives. Perhaps someone is trying to besmirch my reputation, tank the companies I have a stake in. Who knows? I'm sure the full plan has not been revealed."
"That's an interesting theory. When was the last time you saw Riley?”