Page 3 of The Hanging Dolls
“Cohen!” Travis appeared at the doorway to his office and beckoned him over with two fingers—like he always did.
Scott braced himself to give another disappointing update. Travis’s office was the largest, with a window offering a view of the forest. Shafts of light filtered through the blinds. The desk was cluttered with paperwork, a couple of potted plants and a collection of maritime memorabilia. There was also a picture hanging on the wall of Travis graduating from the academy. The last thirty years had added several pounds to his waistline andsnagged at the skin on his face. But the chief was proud that the hair on his head was thick like a “lion’s mane” in his own words.
“We were following up on an anonymous tip—” Scott waltzed into the office and froze when he saw a slim man with a long neck, reddish orange hair in a blue suit that matched his eyes sitting across from Travis. “Mayor Hicks!”
“Detective Cohen.” He offered his hand but did not stand up.
Scott shot Travis a questioning look. The chief subtly shook his head; the visit must have been a surprise to him too.
“You arrived just in time,” Travis said by way of explanation. “The mayor wanted to discuss the case with you.”
“Yes. Is there any progress?”
“There have been no ransom demands. We have rounded up everyone on the sex offender registry in town but there were no leads. We have entered her information on the NCIC and are getting assistance from the Washington State Police who are patrolling borders.” Scott folded his arms, referring to the National Crime Information Center.
“Wasn’t an Amber Alert issued?” Hicks asked in his deep voice.
“Not enough information on the abduction to meet the criteria.”
Hicks released a sharp breath. “So now we are at the mercy of anonymous tips. We all know how those go. Why aren’t the rangers helping?”
“She was taken nowhere near the woods,” Travis pitched in, interlacing his fingers in front of him. “This is the first time we are dealing with a missing kid.”
“I know.” Hicks flattened his mouth. “Regina Warner is going to use this against me. Mayoral elections are in two months.”
Scott stifled a scoff.
Travis gave him a side-eye. “We are pooling all our resources into this?—”
“Make the call, Travis.”
Travis stiffened. Scott’s gaze bounced between them. “Call whom?”
“Mayor Hicks wants to involve the FBI.” Travis twirled a pen between his fingers, clearly unhappy with the idea.
“Oh.” Scott’s eyebrows shot up. “Mayor, we have it?—”
Hicks raised his hand. “Don’t say you have it under control, Scott. Four days and absolutelynoleads?”
Irritation crawled on Scott’s skin like a serpent. His tongue sat heavy in his mouth like a chunk of iron. Hicks had a point. His words had twisted deep inside Scott, reminding him of his inadequacy. As if the entire thing was his fault.
“I’ll call the Special Agent in Charge at the Seattle office,” Travis conceded, still reluctant. Scott knew his chief. They were buddies more than anything. He could tell the chief’s mood from the way his mustache wiggled when he spoke.
“Today.” Hicks raised his eyebrows.
Travis sucked air through his teeth. “Today.”
Hicks slapped the armrests of his chair and got to his feet. “Now that’s a plan!” He shook hands with Travis and Scott. “Think of this as training. I’m sure you guys will learn a thing or two from the best in the field.” With a swing in his step, he went out the flapping doors.
“Condescending bastard.” Travis grunted and fell back on his squeaky chair once they were alone. “Someone that short shouldn’t have this much attitude.”
Scott smirked, used to Travis’s controversial sense of humor. “He’s more worried about the elections. He should be. He lost my vote.”
“Regina is gaining momentum.” Travis unlocked the bottom drawer on his desk and pulled out a bottle of bourbon and a glass.
“Have you met her?” Scott asked, shaking his head when Travis offered him a drink.
“Just in passing. I expect her campaign manager is going to want to set up a meeting soon.” He inspected the color of his drink with thinned eyes. “She needs the cop vote. Will make big promises.” He took a large swig. “Don’t beat yourself up over this.”
