main street. And now the reenactment?”
“But there are too many people around to try something,” countered Wallis.
“That’s a fair point,” said Laredo.
“But this guy likes to take risks,” said Pine.
“Do you know who it is?” asked Blum.
“I think so,” said Pine, who’d had a sudden idea.
She punched in a number on her phone, but no one answered, which surprised her.
She next called the hospital in Americus and was put through to Jack Lineberry’s room.
When the person answered the phone, Pine could scarcely believe it.
“Jerry?”
“Hello, who is this?”
“Atlee Pine.”
“What do you want?”
“I was told you were AWOL.”
“Who told you that? I’ve been here since early this morning.”
“Then why did your partner call me and ask where you were?”
“Straub? He hasn’t been here all day. I’m beyond pissed off. I could use some help here.”
Pine’s jaw dropped. “What! Have you spoken to him?”
“He called early this morning and wanted me to go back to the estate. He said I should be on guard at the place. He wanted me to go to my cottage and monitor things from there.”
“But you didn’t go?”
“No, I decided not to at the last minute. I felt my place was here, with Mr. Lineberry.”
Pine thought about the bomb. “You were one lucky guy. Did you let Straub know that?”
“No, I didn’t, why?”
“Never mind. Just stay with Jack and make sure he’s safe.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Whatever I have to.”
Pine clicked off and looked at Laredo. “It’s not Jerry Danvers. It’s the other security guard, Tyler Straub.”
“What, he’s the one working with Britta?” exclaimed Laredo.
“Do you think he took Jenny?” asked Blum.
“I don’t know. But Britta could have found out about Jenny being at the Quarleses’ any number of ways. And I think it was Straub in the Pagani watching Cy’s house to make it look like Myron was doing it.”
“You think they were also trying to blame all the murders on him?” asked Wallis.
“I would think so, yes. But that’s beside the point. We have to find Jenny.”
At that moment Lauren Graham rushed out of the Cottage.
“You have to see this!” she exclaimed.
They quickly followed her inside. She ran over to the cabinet containing her doll collection and opened one of the doors.
Pine came to a stop next to her. “What is it?”
Graham pointed to one of the figures inside. It was the largest one that was more a mannequin than a doll. It had no clothes on.
Graham said, “Someone took its clothes.”
“Its clothes?” Pine stared hard at the doll. “When did it happen?”
Graham looked frantic. “I don’t know. I just noticed it.”
“Do you know a man named Tyler Straub?” asked Pine.
“Tyler?”
“So you do know him?”
“We’ve gone out a few times. Why are you asking about him?”
“When was the last time you saw or spoke to him?”
“A couple of days ago. Why?”
“Do you have any idea where he is now?”
“No. I can try to call him.”
Pine shook her head. “No, I already did that. He didn’t answer.”
“But why did you try to call him?”
“Is everyone at the reenactment?” she asked Graham.
The woman looked bewildered by the query. “Of course. Where else would they be? It’s the biggest event of the year here. You can’t find a place to park anywhere. The parade route was packed this morning, and now everyone’s watching the mock battles. You can hear the gunfire.”
Everyone’s watching the mock battles.
“Is the historic site still open?” she asked.
“Well, technically, yes. But I doubt anyone is there. Even most of the employees and rangers over there come to see the reenactment. Some of them are suited up and fighting in it, in fact.”
Laredo looked at Pine and said, “Everyone is here.”
“And no one’s over there,” said Pine. “Talk about your perfect storm of distraction.”
They ran for the truck.
Chapter 73
THE PARKING LOT at the historic site was packed, but they quickly realized that was overflow parking for all those attending the reenactment.
The grounds looked empty.
They held a brief meeting in the parking lot and decided to split up to cover more of the area.
Wallis said, “I’ve called in reinforcements, but they won’t be here for about a half hour.” He eyed Pine. “But if you’re wrong about this, that little girl could end up dead.”
“This is the only shot we have,” retorted Pine. She glanced over his shoulder and cried out, “And I think I am right.”
She sprinted to a spot near the parking lot where the rear bumper of a vehicle was partially exposed behind some bushes.
She got there, breathless, and looked over the Porsche