Part 22 (1/2)

suspects.”

”Then do.”

I told him about Chad Seabright, and told him again about Don Jade.

”And I'm waiting to hear from a connection to Interpol about priors on Tomas Van Zandt. He has ahistory of bad behavior toward young women, and by all accounts he's as crooked as a dog's hind leg.” ”Charming crowd these horse people,” Landry said.

”The horse world is a microcosm. The good, the bad; the beautiful, the ugly.”

”The haves and have-nots. That's what keeps the prisons full,” Landry said. ”Jealousy, greed, and s.e.xual perversion.”

”Make the world go round.” Landry sighed and backed the tape up again. ”And what's your stake in this mess, Estes?” ”I told you. I'm helping out the little sister.” ”Why? Why did she come to you?” ”It's a long story that doesn't really matter. I'm in it now, and I'm staying in it to the end. Do you have a problem with that?” ”Yeah, I do,” he said, his attention on the television. ”But I'm sure that won't stop you.” ”No, it won't.” He hit the pause b.u.t.ton and squinted at the screen. ”Can you make out that tag number?” ”No. I tried. I couldn't make it out on Seabright's tape either. You'll need a technical wizard. ”Look, Landry, I'm already on the inside with Jade's people,” I said. ”I'm more than willing to work with you. You'd be stupid to take a pa.s.s on that. You're a lot of things, I'm sure, but I don't think stupid is one of them.”

He gave me a long look, trying to see something beyond what I would allow him to see. ”I've done my homework too,” he said. ”You're a loose cannon, Estes. You always were, the way Ihear it. I don't like that. You think this Seabright guy is a control freak. I consider that a virtue. When I'mon a case, I own it. Period. I don't want to be in this thing and wondering what the h.e.l.l you're going topull next. And I can guarantee no one else in the SO is going to stand for that either. My lieutenant findsout you've got your fingers in this, he'll have my a.s.s.”

”I can't do anything about that. I am in it, and I'm staying in it. I said I'll work with you, but I don't workfor you. You don't control me, Landry. If that's your focus, we have a problem. There's only one goalhere: getting Erin Seabright out alive. If you think it's some kind of contest, you can keep your d.i.c.k inyour pants. I'm sure yours is bigger than anybody's, but I don't want to see it. Thanks anyway.

”Now can we get on this?” I asked. ”We're burning daylight.” Landry took a beat, then motioned toward the door. ”Lead the way. I hope I don't regret this.” I returned his look and his sentiment. ”That makes two of us.”

B ruce Seabright was not happy to see me. He came to the door himself-no doubt having forbidden everyone else to-dressed for golf in khakis and a tangerine polo s.h.i.+rt. He had the same ta.s.seled loafers as Van Zandt. It was now 8:15 A.M. ”Mr. Seabright, this is Detective Landry with the Sheriff's Office,” I said. Landry held up his s.h.i.+eld. ”Hetells me he hasn't heard from you.”

”It's Sat.u.r.day,” Seabright said. ”I didn't know how early I could call.”

”So you thought you'd get eighteen in before you tried?” I asked.

”Ms. Estes tells me your stepdaughter has been abducted,” Landry said.

Seabright glared at me. ”The kidnappers said no police, so I didn't call the police. I certainly hope Ms.

Estes hasn't put Erin in greater danger by bringing you here.” ”I don't think this trumps blowing off the ransom drop,” I said. ”May we come in?” He stepped back reluctantly, and closed the door behind us lest the neighbors see. ”Have you received any further communication from the kidnappers?” Landry asked as we followed Seabright to the inner sanctum. There was no sign of Krystal. The house was as silent as a mausoleum. I

spied Molly crouched in the upstairs hall, peering down at us through the bal.u.s.ters.

”No.”

”You last heard from them when?”

”Thursday night.”

”Why didn't you pay the ransom, Mr. Seabright?”

Seabright closed the doors of his office and turned around to go behind his desk. Landry had already taken a position there, standing behind the desk chair with his hands resting on the chair back.

”I'm sure Ms. Estes has told you, I'm not convinced this whole thing isn't a hoax.”

”You're convinced enough not to call the Sheriff's Office for fear of what might happen to Erin, but notenough to pay the ransom?” Landry said. ”I'm not sure I understand that, Mr. Seabright.” Seabright paced the end of the room with his hands on his hips. ”I'm sorry I don't know the protocol for kidnapping victims. This is my first time.”

”Do you have the money?”

”I can get it.”

”On a Sat.u.r.day?”

”If I have to. The president of my bank is a personal friend. I do an enormous amount of business with

him.”

”Good,” Landry said. ”Call him. Tell him you may need to ask him a favor later today. You need three

hundred thousand dollars in marked bills. He'll need some lead time to get that together. Tell himsomeone from the Sheriff's Office will meet him at the bank to a.s.sist him.” Seabright looked shocked. ”B-but we're not actually going to give them the money, are we?”

”You are if you ever want to see your stepdaughter alive again,” Landry said. ”You do want that, don't you, Mr. Seabright?”

Seabright closed his eyes and huffed a sigh. ”Yes. Of course.” ”Good. I'll have people out here within the hour to put a tap on your phone. When the next call comes inwe'll be able to trace its origin. You'll set up the drop. You'll tell them you'll show with the money, butErin has to be there where you can see her or it's a no-go. They already know you're not a pushover. Ifthey haven't already killed her, they'll bring her. They want the money, not the girl.”

”I can't believe any of this is happening,” Seabright muttered. ”You'll be there? At the drop?”

”Yes. I've already spoken with my lieutenant about your situation. He'll be calling shortly to speak withyou himself.” ”What about the FBI?” Seabright asked. ”Don't they always get involved with kidnappings?” ”It's not automatic. They can be called in if you like.” ”I don't. This is way out of hand already. They said not to call the police, now my home is going to be crawling with them.”

”We'll be very discreet, Mr. Seabright,” Landry said. ”I'll want to speak to everyone living in thehouse.” ”My wife is sedated. Other than Krystal, it's just myself, my son Chad, and Krystal's younger daughter, Molly.”