The man strode in, followed by two men in dark suits. He halted in front of the desk and, placing his forearms on it, leaned forward. “You hear me?”
“Mr. Gunnerson,” said Maximilian, recovering his equilibrium, “let me introduce you to Agent Cash of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Sheriff Colcord, Eagle County. And let me just say how terribly sorry—”
“Cut the crap.” Gunnerson turned to Cash, his eyes darting from her to Colcord. Cash had the feeling he might have been drinking. “So—what’re you doing besides sitting on your asses? What is the Colorado Bureau of bumfuck or whatever?”
Cash was left momentarily speechless by this sudden abuse. But before she could react, Colcord rose from his chair and spoke, his voice even. “The CBI is Colorado’s equivalent to the FBI. We called them in to assist. A comprehensive search for your son is underway. We’ve put all our top people on this, I can assure you.”
Maximilian quickly added, “We’ve got choppers in the air and a hundred searchers on the ground. They’re out there searching nonstop—and will be until we find your son and catch the kidnappers.” He took a breath. “Why don’t you sit down, Mr. Gunnerson? Can I offer you anything?”
“Scotch, rocks, no water,” said Gunnerson gruffly, remaining standing.
Maximilian nodded at his assistant, and she went to the little bar in his office, mixed a drink, and brought it back. Gunnerson took a massive gulp and set it down with a loud noise on a glass coffee table. “I was told this place had world-class security. How the fuck did kidnappers get in here?”
Maximilian remained cool. “We’re extremely shocked and extend our profoundest apologies. I can assure you we’re doing everything we can—everything.”
Gunnerson turned and looked at Cash. “And who is this mute woman over here? What’s she doing?”
Cash felt a rush of blood to her face. She managed to say, “I’m the CBI agent in charge.”
“Agent in charge? You’re in charge—of what?”
Cash stared at the man. She swallowed and told herself he’d lost a son. “Of the case. If you have questions,” she said evenly, “please ask them now.”
He blinked at her, then pounded down the rest of the drink. “Someone said drops of blood were found at the scene.”
“Two areas of blood were found near the tent,” said Cash.
“How much blood?”
“We’re determining that now.”
“Enough to kill them?”
“We don’t know.”
The man was now slurring his words, spittle flying. “You don’t know? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” His two minions moved closer to him, one on either side.
“Mr. Gunnerson—” Colcord began.
Cash held up her hand. “Our assumption is they’re still alive. We’re working with the utmost urgency.”
“But I want to know what you think, Agent in Charge Whatever: is he dead or alive? Tell me the truth, for fuck’s sake!”
“Given the large amount of blood found, my personal opinion is that they could not have survived.”
He stared at her, his beard quivering. “I’ve been lied to.”
“No, Mr. Gunnerson,” said Maximilian hastily. “We’re still gathering the basic facts. It’s premature to draw conclusions.”
With a mighty pivot, Gunnerson slung his drink at the wall, the heavy glass tumbler shattering. He turned with balled fists and advanced toward Maximilian, swaying slightly. “Liar.”
Maximilian pushed a button on his intercom. “Security, now.”
The two minions on either side of Gunnerson suddenly closed in on him, and in a practiced move, each took an arm. “Sir?”
He roared and twisted and tried to break free, but they tightened their grip and held him fast.
“Sir. Please.”
He abruptly stopped struggling. “My son.”
“Let’s get you to a room, sir.”
“My son.” Gunnerson let out a sob.
“We’ve got it,” said the bodyguard to Maximilian. “No worries. It’s all good. We need a room for him.”
Maximilian turned to an assistant, standing in the door, looking shocked. “Get him a suite. One of the private ones.”
It felt to Cash like this wasn’t the first time they had been forced to handle Gunnerson like this.
The two men led the billionaire out of the room, holding him up as he staggered and sobbed like a baby.
After a silence, Colcord turned to her. “I’m disgusted at the way he spoke to you.”
She stared at him. “Sheriff, I’m not a damsel in distress—understood? I’ve heard the word fuck once or twice before.”
She didn’t mean to speak so sharply. Colcord’s paternal look of concern had annoyed her.
His face colored crimson, but he said nothing.
“I’m so sorry,” said Maximilian. “I’ll have a conference room cleared for you in thirty minutes. And we’ll make sure your rooms are ready.”
“I’m going to want to interview that man tomorrow,” said Cash. “There’s always the possibility his son was targeted because of him. A guy like that’s got enemies.”
“What about the girl’s parents?” asked Cash. “Are they on their way?”
Maximilian hesitated. “Her parents are dead. Her next of kin, a brother, works in Singapore. Apparently, they’re … not close. I don’t think he’ll be coming.”
As they left the office, Colcord turned to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
She held up her hand. “No apologies. Let’s just get through this case as quickly as possible.”