Web of Justice by Rayven T. Hill Page B

kidnapping?”
    Hank flipped a folder around and slid it across the desk toward Annie. “The victim’s name is Lindy Metz. And she IDed the photo of Izzy Wilde as her would-be abductor. He nearly got away with it, too.”
    Annie picked up the folder and flipped it open, filled with a sudden surge of anger as she peered at a photo of a young girl. She was relieved the girl was safe, though no doubt she had undergone a traumatic experience.
    “It sure looks like he has a type,” she said, studying the picture. “Both victims have long black hair.”
    “And dark brown eyes,” Hank added. He slipped a photo from a folder, turned it around, and held it up. “Just like Izzy Wilde’s mother.”
    Jake whistled. “He must’ve really hated her. He’s trying to kill his mother over and over again.”
    “Any other connection between the victims?” Annie asked.
    Hank shook his head. “Not that I could find. Both seem to have been targeted because of their appearance, but other than that, I think they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
    “And they have no obvious connection to Wilde?” Annie asked.
    “Nope. King and I talked to Lindy and her parents. They claim they don’t know him.”
    “What about the witness?” Jake asked. “Did he have anything useful for you?”
    “Not that I can see,” Hank said. “I’ll go over his statement again, but he didn’t get a close look at the vehicle.”
    “I expect Wilde will ditch the car anyway,” Jake said. “Like he did with the last one. He’s not gonna take any chances.”
    “Probably,” Hank said. “But on the other hand, he doesn’t seem to be planning his actions all that carefully. And that’s good. It means he’s gonna slip up sooner or later.”
    “Like visiting his brother’s place,” Annie said. “Any thinking person should’ve known his brother would be under surveillance.”
    Hank looked at Jake. “He must’ve been familiar with you. Known who you are. Otherwise, why else would he run when he saw you?”
    “We have made a few headlines lately,” Annie said. “We’re not exactly as anonymous as we used to be.”
    “The main question is, why would he be visiting his brother?” Hank said. “It didn’t seem prearranged. Carter Wilde wasn’t home at the time. Hadn’t been there all afternoon, and he didn’t get home till later in the evening. I checked his story to be sure. He was attending some meetings related to his position as superintendent. It’s solid.”
    “Izzy probably expected his brother was home,” Jake said with a shrug. “Maybe dropped by in case. Likely had nowhere else to go. His house was overrun with cops.”
    “That means he’s either desperate,” Annie said, “or clueless about what to do next.” She set the folder on the desk and leaned back. “Or both.”
    Jake pursed his lips in thought. “He must’ve had someplace lined up. He tried to kidnap another girl. He had to take her somewhere.”
    “He could be living out of his car,” Hank said. “Needless to say, we have all available officers scouring the city. I checked with the sergeant who supervised the canvassing where Wilde got away from you, Jake, but it didn’t turn anything up. No one in the area noticed anything unusual.”
    “He might’ve left the city by now,” Jake said. He picked up the folder and thumbed through the pages.
    “We have a nationwide BOLO out on him in case he does.”
    “I think he’s still around somewhere,” Annie said. “He has ties here. Besides, though he doesn’t seem too bright, he must know he can’t get far without money.”
    “According to his financial records, he doesn’t have much of that,” Hank said. “His bank account’s almost dry. We’re monitoring his credit card, but it’s near its limit. He must be living on whatever cash he might’ve had on hand.”
    “Or he’s getting assistance from someone,” Annie said.
    “Perhaps. But I don’t think it’s his brother.”