“And what she was trying to tell you?” Kelland asked. “Where was it taken?”
“At a farm near Bakersfield. The movie company rented the entire farm so we could get low enough on the aerial battle scenes.” She wrinkled her nose. “And of course my wonderful parachute jump, which was as melodramatic as it was ridiculously grandiose. I won’t tell you how many times they made me do it over. No wonder Dee was practically in hysterics.” She tapped the photo with her index finger. “You’re thinking she might have been trying to tell me she’s somewhere near Bakersfield or this movie set?” She shook her head. “The Ventura wildfires destroyed the farm and surrounding acreage two years ago. I remember because Dee went down and gave a benefit for the survivors that summer.”
“Then what was it?” Kendra murmured. “Dee’s smart. She wouldn’t have wasted her time if she hadn’t believed she could help us.”
Jessie shrugged. “It’s just the two of us…laughing and having a great time. The only thing that stands out is how utterly ridiculous I look in that leather jacket, huge goggles, and jodhpur pants.”
“Then let’s look at it,” Kendra said. “You were supposed to be a World War One pilot standing next to that vintage plane?”
Jessie nodded. “That’s right.”
“Then it has to be the plane,” Kendra said slowly. “She’s trying to tell us that where she’s being held has something to do with a plane, or perhaps an airport.”
“Shit. That’s a bit vague, Kendra,” Jessie said. “How many airports are there in the California, Arizona, Nevada area? As for planes, that goes up into the stratosphere.”
“I’m just the interpreter here. I’m sure Dee did the best she could to give us a clue we could use. It might not even be a plane. I only thought it was the most logical.” She paused. “And I believe we shouldn’t publicize any deductions we make from anything Dee told you today. Where there’s this much media coverage, there’s bound to be leaks. Leaks could be very dangerous for Dee. You were warned about that, Kelland.”
“Since there’s no evidence on which to base this pure guesswork, I’m not about to hand out any leaks to the media,” he said sarcastically. “If I can find something more concrete, then we’ll discuss it.” His gaze shifted to Jessie. “You’re still determined to go along with the ransom delivery?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t do anything else. That asshole was right about me. Another thing that I learned from that conversation with Dee is that she knows what she’s facing and it’s scaring her. But she also said that she remembered everything I’ve taught her.” She took a deep breath. “I’m an overachiever and I taught her a lot. I know she’s going to try to use it. That’s her nature.” She moistened her lips. “It could get her killed. You’re damn right I’ll be there for her.”
* * *
Charlotte received a telephone call at 1:40 P.M. that lasted only a few minutes. “Of course I understand. Do you think I’m a fool?” She listened for a moment more. “No, I’ll have no problem taking care of the girl. I did just fine without him. You’re the one who sent him.” She pressed to disconnect and turned to Dee. “It appears I’m going to be stuck with you again. Won’t that be fun?”
“Delightful.”
“I thought you’d feel that way.” She got to her feet and went to throw open the exterior door. “Dorset!”
“You don’t have to bellow,” Dorset growled. “What does she need now?”
“Nothing that I can’t get for her. You were just a convenience. Go get your stuff and get out of here. You’re supposed to meet someone called Paul at the warehouse. They want to make sure to have enough men when this drop goes down.”
“Yes,” Dorset said eagerly. “I thought they’d be calling me back. I was too valuable to be pushed out of the deal like that. They were only waiting until they decided what move to make.”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Charlotte’s tone was ironic. “After the last mess you all made, more likely he thought you could hardly do any worse.”
“I’m done listening to you.” He turned to Dee. “I’d feel sorry for you having to put up with this ugly dragon bitch, but you’ve had it so good all your life that it’s your turn to have it rough. Hell, who knows, you can never tell what’s going to happen. You might even get out of this alive.” He grabbed his duffel. “But don’t count on it.” He slammed the door behind him.
“At least we agree on one thing.” Charlotte shrugged as she turned away. “By all means, pay no attention to anything that fool tells you.” Her voice was mockingly caustic. “From now on I’m the one in control, the only one of importance in your life. He doesn’t matter at all any longer…”
* * *
AV Lab
Los Angeles Regional FBI Office
Kendra got the call Jessie had told her to expect from Metcalf late on the afternoon of that same day. She checked the ID. “It’s him,” she told Lynch as she punched the access. “Where the hell have you been, Metcalf?”
“Missed me?”
“Okay, let’s not get carried away.”
“Of course not. I just wanted to give you an update on the lead Jessie gave me. Is she around?”
“I think she’s somewhere in the building, picking out her protective gear for the money drop. After what happened to Lynch, we’ve got to hope she’ll have head-to-toe body armor.”
Silence. “Money drop? Shit. Jessie didn’t mention anything about her doing the money drop when I talked to her.”
“She probably didn’t know it at the time. Things have been moving very fast since yesterday. We’ve been told we’ll be getting exact instructions any time now. But you can give the update to me. In case you haven’t heard, there’s a rumor going around that we’re on the same team. I could use some awesome news right now.”
“Awesome is my middle name, Kendra.”
“You’re getting carried away again.”
“No, I’m not. I followed up on the lead Jessie gave me about that guy who briefly worked in Delilah’s house. I talked to her employees and came up with zilch. Then I started canvassing her neighbors on the same street and got security camera footage from most of them.”
She gave a low whistle. “Great idea.”
“You bet. I got footage from two neighbors’ cameras of the guy when he left that afternoon. He parked two blocks away, but I have a shot of him climbing into his pickup truck.”
“Tell me we have a license plate.”
“We have his license plate. Razor-sharp, too.”
Kendra sighed with relief. “Awesome is truly your middle name.”
“We also have a name and address from the auto registration. Has the name James Dorset come up in the investigation yet?”
She glanced at Lynch and then shook her head. “No, I think we’d have been told if it had.”
“I didn’t think so. I called around, and Dee’s friends and household staff didn’t know the name, either.”