Racing the Light (Elvis Cole #19; Joe Pike #8)(5)

“So you agreed to help. Good, I’m pleased, but I’m surprised a man with your credentials took the job.”

People who didn’t introduce themselves were usually top-tier corporate executives or self-absorbed celebrities. I went with corporate.

“Surprises are my business. To whom am I speaking?”

He went on as if I hadn’t spoken.

“So tell me, I’m curious why this nonsense about aliens and secret projects didn’t put you off.”

I carried the phone out to the balcony. The Mickey phone didn’t have a remote, so I’d bought a twenty-five-foot extension. The line was tight as a bowstring when I reached the rail, and tighter when I peered down at the street.

I said, “Pretend I just answered and let’s begin again. Elvis Cole Detective Agency, this is Elvis Cole. To whom am I speaking?”

He muttered so softly I barely heard him.

“Good Lord.”

“No, not the Lord. Elvis. Who is this?”

Four floors below, Wendy, Kurt, and Adele crossed the sidewalk to a cream-colored Mercedes sedan. A red-haired man by the Mercedes opened the rear passenger-side door for Adele, helped her inside, and climbed in behind the wheel. Wendy saddled up in the front passenger seat. Kurt slipped into a white Lincoln SUV waiting behind the Mercedes. The Mercedes pulled away. The Lincoln pulled out behind the Mercedes. Trail car. The shabby housedress and wispy hair didn’t go with a top-of-the-line Mercedes and personal security detail, but people were often surprising.

They drove away as the caller responded.

“This is Corbin Schumacher. Adele is my ex-wife.”

I watched the Mercedes disappear and returned to my desk.

“Making you Joshua Schumacher’s father?”

“As much as it pains me, yes. I’m also the person who suggested Adele contact you.”

“Do we know each other?”

“We do not, but I had you vetted. Your reputation for this kind of thing is excellent.”

“Uh-huh. This kind of thing being?”

“Finding people. When I hire someone, I hire the best.”

“Let me stop you, Mr. Schumacher. Adele hired me, not you, so everything she and I discussed is confidential.”

“Adele knows I’m calling. Please confirm this with her. I’m not snooping behind her back.”

“Then why the call?”

“First, to make sure you don’t take advantage of her.”

“I thought you had me vetted.”

“Let’s be frank. The woman came to you with an outlandish story and a bag of cash. Her claims would make most people doubt her sanity, yet you took the job. One type of man might refuse. Another might see an opportunity to take advantage.”

I made my hand into a gun and fired at Pinocchio’s nose. The puppet didn’t flinch. He was a helluva puppet.

“Luckily for Adele, I’m a third type. Is there a second reason you called?”

“Yes. To explain the true reason you were hired.”

“You don’t believe the Men in Black kidnapped your son?”

Corbin Schumacher hesitated. When he spoke again his voice was softer, but somehow more threatening.

“I’m speaking difficult truths, Mr. Cole, but let’s be clear. I will not allow you to take advantage of her. I also will not allow you to demean her.”

The pain in his voice left me embarrassed.

“I apologize. I was trying to lighten what’s clearly a painful subject, and I made a mess of it. I’m sorry.”

He sounded tired when he continued.

“Josh hasn’t been kidnapped. This is Josh being Josh, ignoring her.”

“Why would Josh ignore her?”

“Because he can. He’s self-absorbed, arrogant, irresponsible, and rotten with privilege.”

“Oh. The usual reasons.”

“He’s probably in his hobbit hole right now, playing video games or wasting his life with one of his degenerate friends. If he’s out of town, well, since he has no job and lives off his mother, he might be gone for days.”

“His mother told me he’s a journalist. With a successful podcast.”

Schumacher laughed.

“If you call pandering to fools on a homemade talk show no one has heard of journalism. I don’t. He isn’t. Period.”

Period.

“Regardless, Adele has spun herself into a frenzy with this kidnap business. The stress isn’t good for her.”

“Hence, me.”

“Correct. I expect you’ll find him in a day or two, and end this nightmare.”

“And if it takes longer?”

“If you need help, call Wendy. If Wendy can’t help, I have other resources.”

Resources was an interesting word.

“What do you do for a living, Mr. Schumacher?”

“As little as possible. I was a teacher once at the college level. I’m retired.”

“What if I find your son but he won’t contact his mother?”

“Your mission is complete when you locate my son.”

Mission was another interesting word.

“Then, if you would, call Wendy. Wendy will take over.”

“Do Wendy and Kurt work for you or Adele?”

“They work for Adele. Like you.”