Chapter 66
CINDY THOMAS WAS sitting in a booth under the glaring lights of a diner a block off the Embarcadero.
Gina Scrittori lounged on the brown vinyl seat across from her.
At the moment, Gina was fending off the second guy who’d stopped to flirt with her.
This guy, in a Porsche jacket with Ray-Ban sunglasses on top of his head, looked like a player.
He oozed casual coolness. She never actually told either of the men to leave her alone, but both of the men got the message quickly.
As this man strutted away, Gina looked at Cindy and said, “It never ends, does it?”
“You mean guys hitting on women? No, it doesn’t.” Cindy managed her tone, with some effort. She was still pissed off at the way Gina had scared away the only witness that had seemed to recognize Nicole Snaff in the photo.
They’d spent the last few hours scouring the pier and surrounding areas hoping to find the girl again. They’d shown Nicole’s photo to dozens of other locals. But no one else had expressed any hint of recognition.
Cindy pulled out the list of suspects Eric Snaff had given her.
It was an aspect of her investigation that she hadn’t really taken seriously.
Until now. Cindy hesitated to show the list to Gina.
She was the only person other than Eric who might recognize any of these names, but Cindy was starting to question how much she wanted Gina involved in the rest of the investigation.
A guy dressed in a nice suit walked by and gave Gina a smile and a nod. Gina actually looked interested in this one. But he kept walking to the front door. Cindy got Gina’s attention by clearing her throat. She handed over the crumpled sheet of paper Eric had written several names on.
“Do you recognize anyone on this list?” she asked Gina.
“Are these the people Eric thinks might be involved in his daughter’s disappearance?”
Cindy sidestepped the question. “Do you know any of them?”
Gina studied the list carefully for a moment, then looked up and said, “I know all of them. San Julio isn’t San Francisco. Everyone knows everyone.”
“Does anyone stand out to you?”
“This guy, Jason Cortlandt, used to work at the youth center. He’s harmless. He’s also salty with Eric Snaff.”
“Why’s that?”
“He thinks Eric got him fired from the facility. Jason had kind of a loud exit. It was uncomfortable but also a little entertaining.” She looked up and smiled at Cindy. “Know what I mean?”
Cindy took the list back but didn’t respond.
“What else can you tell me about him?”
Gina shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s in his late thirties.
I know he was in the Army at some point.
I always thought he was a bullshitter. I never believed anything he said.
I haven’t seen him in a couple of months.
Pretty sure he moved out of San Julio after he left the youth center.
I wouldn’t waste your time looking for him. ”
Cindy made a few notes on the paper.
Gina said, “Want me to come with you on any of these interviews?”
“No. That’s okay. I don’t know when I’ll get around to it.” Cindy had tried to be measured in her response.
She was pretty sure that she didn’t want Gina investigating anything else with her on this story. Unless she had no choice.