Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
As Vivian started the engine, she said to her partner, “Did you buy any of that nonsense?” She could have used a stronger word, but she’d sworn off profanity since her last visit with her grandmother. Grandma had reminded her that an intelligent person didn’t need to resort to street talk. She was right, of course, although personally Vivian felt that some situations called for the intensity of a curse word.
“Nonsense?” Tyler sounded puzzled. “You don’t believe Dana Broderick’s story?”
“Not for a minute. Do you?”
“I sort of did. I mean, she seemed to explain all of it.”
Vivian shook her head. “Not even close. First of all, she hired three men but didn’t mention their last names.” She raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t notice that.”
“Those are the kinds of things you should notice,” she said. “It’s all in the details, young man.” She turned down the driveway. “And why didn’t anyone in the family know about this so-called—and incredibly stupid—scheme to fake a kidnapping? She left a note that no one saw? Unlikely. And you’d think the assistant would have known about it. Isn’t that what assistants do? Keep track of schedules and organize events?”
“I guess.”
Once Vivian latched on to an idea, she couldn’t stop. “And if it was a fake kidnapping, why did she need a Lyft driver to bring her home? She hired three men. One of them couldn’t bring her back?”
“Good point. We didn’t ask, though. She might have had a good reason.”
“And did they need actual money to do this re-creation? I assume you did see the bag on the ground with the money spilling out. Who has that kind of cash on hand?”
“Maybe it was more accurate that way? You know, to see how it would fill the bag?” But even he was starting to sound doubtful.
“She mentioned she was taken to a secluded spot, but she didn’t specify where. In my experience, people are intentionally vague when they don’t want to tell you the truth.” Vivian turned onto the roadway. “No, something is definitely off here. She dazzled us with her presentation, but I wasn’t fooled.”
“But why would she lie?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. Rich people are crazy.”
“Do you think she knows where Antonio Camero slash Anthony Bruno is?” He tapped his fingers on the dashboard.
“Possibly, but if she knows, she’s not telling.”
“What about the twin that took off? I’m surprised you didn’t want him charged with something.”
She shook her head. “He was noncompliant, but not under arrest. I could have pursued it, but Dana Broderick was insistent that everything was fine.” Vivian had worked in that community long enough to know when to take a step back. Wealthy people were litigious. She didn’t need the trouble.
“So what do we do?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Vivian exhaled. “No one reported a crime, so our hands are tied. It’s over.” It really was too bad. She thought of herself as being a proficient investigator, but she never had many opportunities to use her skills.
So that was the end of it. They were back to parking tickets, overdue library books, and checking out security system alarms set off by accident. Next week they were doing a presentation at the local elementary school. The kids were always enthusiastic, so that was something.
“My mom is going to be so excited about that book, though,” Tyler said cheerfully. “And Dana said she’s going to mention us in the acknowledgments. That’ll be pretty cool.”
Vivian begrudgingly had to admit it was better than nothing. Grandma was a fan and would undoubtedly be impressed to see her granddaughter’s name in a Rebecca Cavanaugh book. “Yes, pretty cool indeed.”