Little Girl Gone (An Afton Tangler Thriller #1)(8)

“A lot of these reborn doll makers are very proprietary about their creations,” Thacker said. “In fact, they’re big on having buyers sign actual adoption papers. So that’s another wacky, off-kilter aspect to this case.”

“You said a mouthful,” Max said.

“Are there security tapes from the mall?” Afton asked.

“We’re working on that,” Dillon said.

“Obviously, this doll lady is the first angle we have to work,” Thacker said. “But there are a few other wrinkles, too. The husband, Richard Darden, recently resigned his post as VP of Marketing at Novamed. Now he’s over at Synthotech with a big-shot job in their new products division. But the powers that be at Novamed have accused him of breaking his confidentiality agreement and taking trade secrets, certain proprietary information, out the door with him.”

“Has Novamed filed suit against him?” Farmer asked.

Thacker sorted through his hastily gathered file. “Ah . . . yes, they have,” he responded.

“You think this kidnapping could be some sort of retaliation?” Afton asked. The idea sounded off the charts to her, but she had to ask.

“I don’t know what to think,” Thacker said. He reached a hand up and scrubbed distractedly at his mop of curly gray hair. “It doesn’t feel like it. Corporate execs don’t usually get their hands dirty by hiring someone to nick a baby out of its bassinette. But . . . we gotta look at them anyway.”

“This could be a straight-out kidnapping for ransom,” Max said.

“Maybe the Dardens will get a phone call demanding money,” Afton said.

“Maybe they already got the phone call,” Max said. He moved around the table and took his same seat across from Afton.

“No, no, we’ve already pulled their phone records,” Thacker said. “There’s nothing unusual. And we’re currently monitoring all their lines. No calls like that have come in.”

“Did you put out an APB to area hospitals?” Afton asked.

This time Max answered. “That’s the first thing we did. Alerted area clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices. Advised them to be on the alert for any newborns that are brought in under what might be suspicious circumstances. And we strongly advised them to ask for positive ID from any new parents whose children aren’t current patients.”

“Has an Amber Alert been sent out?” Afton asked. “Is the FBI involved?”

Max rolled his eyes. “Yes, and we’ve met with our local federal agents once already.”

“I just hope those techno-turds have the decency to stay out of our way,” Dillon said.

“Listen up,” Thacker said. “Even if you feel their hot doggy breath on the backs of your necks, I don’t want to see any territorial shit. Job one is to retrieve that poor little baby and put her back in her crib or jolly jumper or whatever the hell. Okay? Is that understood?”

“Sure,” Dillon said, looking unhappy.

Andy Farmer tapped the end of his pencil against the table. “If there’s a nanny cam,” he asked, “is there also a nanny?”

“There was,” Max said. “A woman by the name of Jilly Hudson. She worked for the Dardens for about two months, starting the week before the baby arrived. Now Hudson is currently studying for her master’s degree in early childhood development at the University of Minnesota.” He pressed his hands together and steepled his fingers. “Hudson says she was staying at her parents’ home last night and her story checks out.”

“So there you have it,” Thacker said. “I want you people to get out there, rip these twin towns apart if you have to, and find that kid.”

“Yes, sir,” Dillon said.

“What I want from you,” Thacker said, turning toward Afton, “is to do what you do best. Function as a liaison between the Dardens and MPD. Work as closely as you can with Max, since he’s going to be lead detective.” Thacker paused and cocked an eyebrow at her. “Just remember, you’re not doing any detecting. You’re community liaison officer.”

“Right,” Afton said. Now she was the one who looked unhappy. The liaison thing hadn’t really been her ultimate career choice. She’d much rather be an integral part of Max’s team, sniffing around for clues, cowboying after the bad guys. But her master’s in social work had made her a natural candidate for her current job, and she was lucky to get that at the time. Now she seemed stuck in limbo. But hope springs eternal and Afton harbored a secret plan. Do a superb job, continue taking classes in law enforcement, wow everyone with her investigating prowess, and sneak in the back door. If there even was such a thing.

“Everybody listen up,” Thacker said, pulling himself to his full height and addressing the entire table now. “Any dealings with the Dardens, try to have Afton present. She’s been specially trained for this. This is sensitive stuff and—”

“Women are sensitive by nature,” Afton finished. Her voice carried a slightly acerbic tone. She was about to say something else, then stopped. Thacker had always been fair with her and she didn’t want to piss him off too badly. He had, after all, taken a chance on her. Plucked her from the ranks of data entry clerks and elevated her to the liaison role.

“You got that right,” Thacker said, looking annoyed. “So everyone make sure you’re damn sensitive!”