Brad was excited to tell everyone that they had found a ton of Facebook chatter on both Carole’s laptop and Meg’s PC.
“We don’t have a name, but we’re still looking. He is a big man, older…short gray hair. Wears a uniform,” Brad told them as soon as the task force meeting started.
Gwen nodded. “That confirms what we’ve learned from some of the people at the bar.”
“Meg wrote one of her friends that this man had followed her home several times. She’d lock and chain her door behind her, but said ‘it was creepy looking out the window seeing him stare at my place. I think he’s too old to be a threat. I will find out soon what he’s up to’,” Brad read from his notes.
“Gives me the creeps just hearing her words.”
“I talked to Carole’s mom…uh, Pauline Planton. She told about the same story. Carole said some old man was following her and she was getting ready to beat the crap out of him if it continued,” Scott added. “Carole told her mom not to worry, that she always hung around where there were a lot of other people. If she was worried, she made light of it when talking with her family.”
“She had three grown brothers, so I’d imagine she could have enlisted their help if she thought the man was dangerous,” Gwen mused.
“So the perp isn’t hiding his presence from the women. He lets them see him watch them. They think he’s harmless because he’s an older man, but they’re all curious to talk to him and find out why they’re so interesting to him,” CC pondered. “I wonder if the uniform is real or a disguise.”
“Interesting question. Does either describe the car he drives?” Gwen asked.
“Meg mentioned a black sedan,” Brad answered, “but that could describe any of a number of makes and models. We don’t know if it’s new or old.”
“I’ll check out any black cars more carefully at The Dive tonight,” Scott offered. “At least that’s something.”
“I’m still canvassing the area,” Brad told them. “There’s a lot of real estate to cover, but my circle is widening. I’ve walked the block where The Dive is located, and I’ll be starting the next blocks surrounding it tonight.”
“Oh, and a Jackie something-or-other called to let us know Meg told her she was being followed by a cop,” Scott remembered.
“About damn time she made the call,” Gwen remarked. “She and her boyfriend were out of town when the bar’s staff and customers were being interviewed. I suggested last night that she call and report the conversation. Give her a call back, Scott, see if she remembers anything else. Bring her in if you think she’s holding anything back.”
“Will do.”
“Let’s head out.”
* * *
The Dive was quiet tonight, with only a half dozen people at the bar and eight people playing pool. Reyna, of course, was close to the pool tables, taking in the action and making small talk with everyone who stopped at her table.
Since no one was playing darts tonight, Gwen ordered a beer and carried it to the back room. She plopped her quarters down at the edge of the pool table and waited her turn, sitting with Reyna and CC, who had just returned from the ladies’ room.
After Gwen introduced herself to Reyna and CC, Reyna immediately went into her routine to find out as much as possible about the new woman.
“What brings you here?” she inquired.
“I like the games, and the people here are awfully friendly,” Gwen replied.
“You been in Scarletsville long?”
“Long enough, I guess,” Gwen answered vaguely.
“Whatcha do for a living?” Reyna probed.
“Nothing right now,” Gwen countered. “I inherited a little dough awhile back.”
“Betcha my youngest would take hell of a liking to a lady like yourself.” Reyna grinned.
“Ah, sorry to disappoint you, but I’m gay.”
“Even better. He enjoys a happy woman,” Reyna said innocently.
Gwen winked at CC and said, “I mean, I like women, not men.”
“Oh my, Lordy!” Reyna exclaimed, and for the first time was at a loss for words.
CC looked at Gwen and they both burst out laughing. Reyna soon joined in, forgetting her blunder. She ordered one of the men to get them a round of drinks, just as it was Gwen’s turn to play.
Gwen picked CC to be her partner against the two men who had just won the last game. Gwen broke the rack of balls and had sunk two in succession when they heard commotion at the bar, then sirens coming closer and people were getting up to go outside to see what was happening.
Gwen whispered to CC, “Let’s see what’s going on.” As they headed out, the rest of the pool players followed, leaving a frustrated Reyna behind fiddling with the controls of her motorized scooter.
“They caught the guy who took the women!” someone yelled.
They ran to the back of the parking lot where they saw Brad with his knee on the back of a husky, squirming, dark-haired young man, roughly cuffing his hands behind his back. A half dozen uniformed cops jumped from their squads and rushed forward to help. Brad pulled a plastic zip tie from his pocket and wrapped it around the young man’s ankles, then forcefully pulled him to his feet.
“I haven’t done anything wrong!” the young man cried out.
“Then why were you running?” Brad asked.
“You scared the shit out of me!” he spat. “I didn’t know anyone else was out here. Oh, crap! I got scared.”
“What are you doing sneaking around out here?” Brad demanded.
“I’m looking for my sister. Carole. She disappeared a couple days ago. Thought I could try to find her,” the man said defiantly.
“You got ID on you?” one of the uniformed officers asked.
“In my back pocket.”
The cop pulled a greasy-looking wallet from the boy’s pocket and flipped it open. “Carl Planton,” he read.
Gwen realized he was the brother of Thomas Planton, who they’d found at Carole’s apartment.
“Geez,” Brad muttered under his breath, then to Carl, “Let the police handle it. Go home and I don’t want to catch you out here again, you hear?”
“Yeah. Just let me go.”
Brad cut the tie from around the kid’s ankles and opened the cuffs. Carl massaged his wrists and looked around, noticing for the first time the crowd that had gathered. He turned crimson and took off running in the opposite direction.
Not wanting to blow their cover, CC and Gwen followed the crowd back into The Dive and resumed their pool game.
Around eleven thirty, Gwen noticed CC yawning and nodded knowingly, letting her know it was okay to leave. It was doubtful there would be any more action tonight. One of the men they were playing pool with escorted her to her car. Gwen ordered another beer and played for another hour. She wasn’t in a hurry to go home to her empty house.