Ahmed’s expression remained the same. Tony’s did not. He looked torn between losing his mind or flying off in a rage. Gulliver understood why seeing the state of Bella’s apartment would do that to him. But Gulliver couldn’t afford to have Tony losing it.
“This isn’t what it looks like.” Gulliver spoke directly to Tony.
“What are you talking about? The place looks like it was hit by a freakin’ twister.”
“Trust me, Tony. At least two different events happened here. Maybe three.”
“You’re nuts, Dowd.”
“Nah, Tony,” Ahmed said, “the little man is right. He knows his stuff.”
Gulliver explained. “Look, I read the reports. When the PIs Joey hired first checked out the apartment, it was fine. It was fine the second time too. In fact, they staked out the building for two weeks straight. Then they took their man off the building, figuring it was a waste of time and manpower. Somebody figured out that Bella was missing and knew this was an easy score. Ten to one it was the super. I’m sure it was him who came in and took the electronics. He also took the jewelry and whatever cash Bella had around.”
Tony’s face had twisted so that he barely looked human. “I’ll kill that mother—”
Gulliver held up his palms. “Relax. I already threw a scare into the super. I guarantee you, whatever he didn’t sell off or fence will be returned. And he will replace everything else with newer and bigger models. Besides, he didn’t have anything to do with Bella’s disappearing. He’s not who or what worries me.”
“What are you talking about?” Ahmed asked.
“Look at the walls,” Gulliver said.
Tony didn’t understand. “What about them?”
Ahmed got it. “They’re empty. Nothing’s on them.”
“Give the man a cigar,” Gulliver said. “There had to be pictures and photos on the walls. Maybe even some of Bella’s own art.”
“Jeez! You’re right,” Tony said. “The walls used to be full of photos Bella took and things she’d painted. There were family photos and framed museum posters too.”
“The super didn’t steal those,” Gulliver said. “They wouldn’t have any value to him.”
“So who you think took the stuff off the walls, little man?”
“Good question, Ahmed. Maybe Bella. Maybe she ran away but couldn’t stand to be without her work or photos of her family. Some people get attached to objects. I’ve tracked down grown women who’d been missing since they were young teenagers. Some were living rough. Some were turning tricks. But still I’d find them with little things they’d taken with them—a stuffed penguin or a favorite doll or blanket. Maybe Bella had a friend come in and grab the stuff.”
“That’s two events, Dowd,” Tony said. “You mentioned there might be three.”
Gulliver nodded. “I did. Something else is missing too. All of Bella’s painting equipment. You can see paint spatter where she used to work in the spare bedroom. But there’s no easel. No brushes. No paint. Nothing.”
Ahmed smiled. Tony noticed.
“What’s your pal smiling at, Dowd?”
“You tell him, Ahmed.”
“Like the little man says, the electronics and cash were lifted by the super or whoever. Everything else looks like your girl ran away. Who’s going to steal photos and art equipment? At least, that’s what it’s meant to look like.”
“You understand what he means, Tony?” Gulliver asked.
“That if someone wanted us to think Bella left of her own free will, they would take the stuff on the walls and her painting stuff.”
Gulliver nodded.
“Now what?” Tony wanted to know.
“Now we’ve got to find a way to hack Bella’s texts, phone messages and computer.”
Tony laughed. “Is that all?”
Gulliver said, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got her phone number and carrier. You find out who her Internet service was through. Then I’ll take care of it.”
“She had a Gmail account and one from the local cable company. I seen some of her emails to Maria,” Tony said. Then he laughed again. “What are you, Superman in a little package? You’re a black belt. You shoot. You handle a knife like you was born with one in your hand. You track down missing people like a bloodhound. You’re a genius hacker too?”
“No, but I know one. It’ll cost you and Joey big bucks. But unless you want to go to the police, it’s your only choice.”
“No cops,” Tony said. “Joey will never go to the cops. Never!”
“Okay then. Ahmed, you and Tony go have a talk with the super about the security cameras at the building’s entrance and exit doors. Make sure he knows that no is not an answer we want to hear. Have all the video for the last two weeks sent to my email address. I’ll look around here a little more. Then drop me back at the office. After that, take Tony back to Staten Island. We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Come on, Dowd,” Tony protested. “It’s not that late. Every day that passes—”
“Believe me, Tony, I get it,” Gulliver said. “I know you’re scared, and you’re not used to being scared. But we have to be smart about this. If Bella didn’t run, then someone might have her. And if someone has her, we have to assume that person is pretty smart.”
“Why?”
“Because he made it look like she came back for her things,” Ahmed answered. “Look at the door. It ain’t been busted in. Whoever came in here had a key. We figure the super had a key to steal the goods. But whoever came back for the photos and the art stuff had a key too. Most likely Bella’s key. And if Bella didn’t run herself, that means whoever has her knows we may be watching for him. He may be watching us. So if anything, we have to look like we think she ran away. We can’t be looking desperate or panicked or nothing.”
“But if somebody’s got her, why ain’t Joey got a note asking for money?” Tony asked.
It was a logical question. A question Gulliver didn’t want to answer but had to.
“Because sometimes it’s not about the money, Tony. It’s about the girl.” Gulliver patted him on the forearm. “But let’s not jump to the wrong ideas here. Let’s see what we can find. Just remember that we can’t let anyone watching us think we’ve caught on. Now, go speak to the super. He’s already pretty scared. One look at you two, and he’ll give you anything you ask for.”
When Ahmed and Tony had left, Gulliver took another look around the apartment. He stared out at the Manhattan skyline as night began to fall. It was always an amazing sight, but Gulliver took no comfort in it. He had a bad feeling about this case. A very bad feeling.