“Bullshit. I know you too well. What is your plan?”

“I want to talk to her roommate.”

“That’s a bad idea.”

Smiley didn’t care. His resolve must have shown in his expression.

Jericho reached into his back pocket and withdrew a folded sheet of paper and then a cell phone. “Her name is Elisabeth and this is her number. This is a blocked phone. I knew you’d be irrational but I’d want to do the same if I were you. Take them before I change my mind. Just remember anything you say could be used against us. She might be involved.”

“Why would she worry Carl Woods would harm Vanni? That implies he’s a danger to her, not us.”

“I had that same question. That’s why I copied the number from her background file and took one of our untraceable cell phones. The task force teams use them. This number is for the apartment and I called in a favor. One of the team members is going to text me if she leaves. She’s still home.”

Smiley moved behind the building, out of sight, and glanced around to make sure he was alone. Jericho waited at the corner, seemingly ready to intercept anyone who came that way. Smiley opened the paper and dialed the number. It rang four times before a machine with a computerized voice picked up.

“Elisabeth, my name is Smiley. I’m—”

The phone was immediately picked up. “I know who you are.” She had a pleasant voice but it sounded stressed.

“I heard you were worried about Vanni. What happened?”

“Can you help me?”

“Possibly. Why do you believe she’s in harm’s way?”

“She left yesterday to get her belongings. Carl wouldn’t give back the stuff she left at the hotel unless she returned his engagement ring in person. She never came home but she would have if he hadn’t done something to her. The police said they couldn’t look for her until she’s missing for seventy-two hours. I know something is really wrong. Now the police told me she’s talking to reporters with Carl later today, implying she’s fine and to stop bugging them.”

“I’m aware.”

“That’s bullshit! She wouldn’t talk to the press. Hell, we’ve been hiding in our apartment to avoid them. They even offered her money to talk and she refused. Nobody believes me when I tell them I think Carl has done something to her.” She sounded as if she were crying. “The police won’t do shit.”

“Do you know where she went?”

“To his father’s vacation house but I called there. The staff said she showed up but left with Carl in a limo. I’ve called but he won’t answer his cell. I even contacted his secretary but she told me she hasn’t heard from him directly but learned that he’d passed his upcoming cases to an associate. He told them it was because he needed to support his fiancé at this time.” She took a gasping breath. “Only she isn’t going to marry him.”

Smiley leaned against the building. “Are you sure? Perhaps he still wanted to marry her.”

“Bullshit! Vanni never loved him. I know my girl. He was nice to her and she’d dated a dickhead before him so boring seemed safe. She was almost relieved it was over. Sure, she felt guilty about what happened with you but not enough to go back to him or talk to reporters about anything. You have to trust me. I know her.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Find her. She’s kind of naïve about men. Carl was just too calm and reserved. That never bodes well to me. Something isn’t right with that jerk. I’d bet my last dollar he made her leave with him and is forcing her to talk to the reporters. She hasn’t called me. That alone is making me freak the hell out. We’re best friends. We tell each other everything.”

Smiley closed his eyes, trying to take in all the information.

“Including that she really likes you,” she added.

That snapped his eyes open. “What?”

“The only reason Carl would want her to talk to the reporters is to say something bad about New Species. I think he’s so far up his father’s ass it isn’t funny, regardless of what he swore to Vanni. He kept assuring her he wasn’t part of that church but he always does what his dad asks. I mean, he stopped sleeping with Vanni because his dad thought it would look bad for his son to have sex before the wedding. He said it was for his career but I call bullshit. He’s a lawyer, not running for mayor. Nobody cares if he’s sleeping with a woman or not. He’s a grown man, for god’s sake. His father says jump and Carl asks him how high. It’s like he’s a ventriloquist doll for his daddy.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a creepy doll that someone sets on their lap and they pretend to speak for the doll. Freaky stuff but that’s the kind of the relationship I suspect Carl has with his father. Is that plain enough? Anyone with a brain would put a few barriers between their career and that church if they didn’t want to offend some clients but I think Carl is totally onboard with them.”

He understood. “I’ll do what I can to find her, Elisabeth.”

“Call me Beth and thank you. Your number didn’t show up on the caller ID. How can I get hold of you? I was afraid to call the NSO because Vanni said you guys thought she might have drugged you. That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard, by the way. She woke up in the SUV and heard those guards talking about arresting her. It’s bullshit.” Her anger rose with her voice.

“They were discussing having her arrested?” He felt some anger too. “That’s why she escaped?”

“Yeah! Duh. She was afraid of being arrested for something she didn’t do.”

“I’ll call you.” He hung up and strode to Jericho. “We need to find Vanni. Her friend believes she’s being forced to talk to the reporters.”

“Shit.” Jericho studied him. “Are you sure that’s not what you wanted to hear?”

“Her best friend is certain. You know me. Wouldn’t you be alarmed if I acted contrary to myself all of a sudden?”

Jericho blew out a deep breath. “You have changed, Smiley. It’s just that I know why. It’s the female.”

“She’s in trouble. I told Beth I’d look for Vanni. Are you going to help me or not?”

“We need to go talk to Justice.”

“Let’s do that.”

* * * * *

Vanni clenched her fists and glared at Mable. The older woman returned the hostile look. The acting coach was a woman who should have been a drill sergeant instead. She issued orders with the same ruthless tone she’d seen in movies.

“Shoulders slouched, Travanni. You want to look beaten down and depressed. You were raped.”

“I wasn’t.” She turned her anger on Gilda. “How many times do I have to say it? This isn’t a production of some play. This is bullshit. Did you see the guard you passed at the door? I’m being held against my will. Do you want to do something useful? Help me escape.”

Gilda frowned. “I don’t think we used enough shadowing under her eyes.”

Vanni wanted to scream.

“I’ll get my makeup bag.” Mable marched into the half bath in the corner of the room.

“Don’t you have any morals at all?”

Gilda shook her head. “This is a war.”

“I’ve heard that before. With who?”

“We’re fighting for our future. Those things are going to take over the world and make us their pets.”

“Did you take your meds today?” Vanni doubted it.

“I don’t take meds.”

“Then go see a doctor. You need them. You’re delusional and paranoid!”

“Shut up,” Mable snapped, returning from the bathroom. “I never liked you.”

“It’s mutual.” Vanni jerked away when the older woman attempted to dot more makeup under her eyes. “Stop that.”

“Do we need to call Bruce in here?” Mable had made that threat a few times. “He said he would hold you down if you gave us any trouble.”

“He’s insane too.”

“Did you ever think the one with mental issues might be you?” Mable tried again to put the makeup on Vanni.

She backed away. “Me? You’re the one who joined a cult.”

“Shame on you,” Mable hissed. “Pastor Woods is a prophet. He knows what the future will bring. Those creatures are going to figure out how to multiply and create more of them. They’ll lure idiots like you into birthing their spawn. Mark Pastor Woods’ words, that day is coming. There will be more of them than us. Let history be a lesson. Look at what the white man did to the Indians. They’ll spread out and we’ll be the ones living on reservations.”