44

 

The car was parked behind the motel just as Rosie had described. Maria maneuvered to the best location, pulled out her cell phone, and took a picture of the car. But it was too far away.

She stepped further back into the woods.

Just in case someone was looking out the window.

She adjusted the picture making it larger and larger until she could read the license plate easily. Time to call Conrad.

She hit his number and waited. He would think she was nuts, and she probably was. But when Rosie said the words—man with an accent—something told her to listen and to act. No, not something—God.

“Hello, Maria. Did you get my message?”

“No, what message?”

“I left a message at the station telling you I’d be late. Isn’t that why you’re calling?”

“I’m not at the station. I need a favor.”

“You name it.”

“I need you to run a license plate for me.” A long pause. “Did you hear me?”

“I did. But it surprised me. Why do you need it?”

“I’d rather not tell you. It’s sort of crazy. But I’ve got to find out who owns this car.”

“Not a problem. I’ll be glad to do it. Go ahead and give me the number.” Conrad’s voice was calm and reassuring. He didn’t sound as if he thought she was nuts. After she’d given him the number, he said, “I’ll call you back in a minute.”

 

****

 

Zink stared at him with a question in her eyes. “What’s going on?”

She was driving them back from the car rental agency. It had been a wasted trip.

“I’m not sure. Maria wants me to find out who a car belongs to.”

“That’s odd. What does she need it for?”

“She didn’t tell me that part.”

“You should have asked. It has to be about Layla. What else could it be?”

“Do you think?”

“Sarcasm isn’t necessary.”

He hit some keys on the inboard netbook. “Interesting. The car is registered to a Hannah Dunnlevy from Wooster.”

“Now, why would she want to know about some woman’s car from Wooster?”

He hit numbers on his cell. “I don’t know, but I’m going to give this Hannah a quick call.” He spoke into the phone for a few moments, hung up and looked at Zink. “I think Maria just found our needle in a haystack.”