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Cranbrook, October 30
6:34 p.m.
George Plischka adjusted his glasses and leaned his elbows on the counter. His crinkled eyes narrowed as he carefully studied the composite sketch in his hands.
“Who’s this supposed to be again?” he asked.
“That’s what we’re asking you,” Allan said. “Does he look familiar? Someone who might’ve booked a room here recently?”
George made a face. “Nobody’s coming to mind.”
“How about Jacob Stark?” Logan asked.
George’s head perked up. “Ah, Mr. Stark. It was one of you who must’ve called earlier and had me check all those names.”
Denis said, “That was me.”
Audra asked, “How well do you remember Mr. Stark?”
“Quite well, actually,” George said. “He’s stayed here a few times. Nice guy.”
“We’re interested in his last stay here.”
George nodded. “Three nights. He checked in Thursday afternoon, the twenty-first. Checked out Sunday morning, the twenty-fourth.”
Allan pointed to the sketch. “Is that him?”
George lifted his eyebrows, puffed his cheeks. “Doesn’t really look like him. He does have a dimpled chin like this guy. Can’t see his ears or hair with that hood in the way.”
“What color is his hair?” Audra asked.
“Brown.”
“Short? Long?”
“Short. Well-groomed.”
“Clean-shaven?”
“Yes.”
“Age?”
“I’d guess he’s in his thirties.”
“What about body type?” Allan said. “Skinny, fat, tall, short, average height?”
George laid the composite on the counter. “A little taller than you. A little broader. I think he’s physically fit.”
“Why do you think that?”
“He likes to jog. At least he does when he’s here.”
Allan lifted his chin. “Where at?”
“Through our bird sanctuary out back.”
“What days?”
George drew a breath. “The Friday morning after his arrival. I came in early to check on our new building—you saw it?”
Allan nodded.
“That’s when I saw him jogging the paths,” George continued. “He did that when he stayed here before.”
“What about Saturday, the twenty-third?”
“I wasn’t in. I was off juicing apples from our orchard.”
“Who manned the office?”
“Mila. But she wouldn’t know Mr. Stark.”
“Back to Friday, then,” Allan said. “Did you see him go anywhere?”
George gave another nod. “He left shortly after his jog. Was gone for the day.”
“Do you know where?”
“Work, I imagine. He wore a suit and tie. Carried a briefcase.”
Audra asked, “Do you know what he does?”
“He’s a business advisor. Tells companies how to tighten their belts. He told me they usually end up choosing layoffs over lean accounting. But he makes good money advising them, whether they take his advice or not.”
Allan said, “He travels a lot, then?”
“The whole country, from what I understand.”
Allan paused, feeling a quiver in his belly. He locked eyes with Audra, and he could see the same thoughts at work in her brain: they might just be on to something here.
He tried to rein in his optimism. “Do you know where he’s from?”
“Ontario.”
Denis stepped closer. “Ontario, you say? Where in Ontario?”
George shrugged. “Don’t think he ever told me. I only remember Ontario.”
Allan asked, “Did he arrive by cab, or did he have his own vehicle?”
George straightened up and folded his arms. “His own.”
“A rental,” Logan said.
Allan looked at him. “I saw some rental-car companies at the airport.”
“There are three there,” George said. “Budget, National, and Enterprise.”
Logan said, “It would make sense to rent one there.”
“What’s Mr. Stark done?” George asked.
Allan turned out his palms. “We’re not sure he’s done anything.”
Logan took out his notebook. “Mr. Plischka, would you have the numbers of those rental companies on hand?”
It took George a moment to find them.
“Thank you.” Logan set his card on the counter. “If anything else comes to mind, please call me.”
As they all walked back to the Suburban, Denis said, “This Stark fella is looking mighty suspicious.”
“We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” Audra warned.
“He fits the profile,” Denis argued. “He jogs. He’s employed in a job that involves travel. We talked about this.”
Allan leaned against the Suburban, his hands on the hood. “I agree with Detective Price. We need to make a few more steps.” He looked over at Logan. “Let’s call these rental companies first. Find out which one he went with. They’ll have a photocopy of his driver’s license on file.”
Audra nodded. “Then we’ll know exactly where he lives.”
“Not only that,” Allan said. “A lot of those companies use telematics in case their vehicles are ever stolen. They’re able to locate them.”
Denis said, “So they might be able to tell us where Mr. Stark went during his stay here. If he went to Kimberley last Saturday.”
“Exactly,” Allan said.
Logan said, “We’re going to need a warrant.”
Audra checked her watch. “Can you get one by morning?”
“I think so.”
“Then let’s do it.”
