Helpless

Chapter 66

Somebody was home at the Boyds’ house. It was six o’clock in the evening. Lights were on inside the home, and that cherry red Mustang was parked in the driveway.

Rainy had left an earlier message for Sergeant Brendan Murphy, explaining her intentions. This was his jurisdiction and his case to run. But Rainy had done enough of the courtesy protocol to begin investigating on her own. This interview would be FBI exclusive. Rainy rang the doorbell. Carter kept to one side of the landing. Twice now, Rainy had brought Carter into the field with her. She needed his expertise to gather potential evidence from Mitchell Boyd’s computers. Carter seemed to welcome the break from life inside the Lair.

Mitchell Boyd opened the door. He gave Rainy the same arrogant smile as Tanner Farnsworth had.

Rainy showed Mitchell her ID. “Do you have a few minutes to chat?” she asked.

“What about?” said Mitchell.

“Lindsey Wells, for starters.”

“She’s missing,” Mitchell said.

“Yes, I know that.”

“Then what’s there to talk about?”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No. Do you?”

“When did you see her last?”

Mitchell shrugged. “I don’t really hang with her. I don’t know. School, I guess.”

“Is Tanner around?”

“Tanner who?”

“Your friend Tanner Farnsworth.”

“Haven’t seen him.”

“Would you tell me if you had?”

“Sure. Why not? Am I a suspect or something?”

“You tell me.”

“No.”

“Okay, then. Any idea what happened to Lindsey?”

“You’re the cop.”

“FBI.”

“Whatever.”

“So, any ideas?”

“Maybe she ran away. That’s what people are saying.”

“Why would they say that?”

“Because she was sleeping with the coach.”

Roland Boyd approached from down the hall.

“Hey, Dad,” Mitchell said. “This is that agent from the FBI. We met at the parking lot before. Remember?”

Roland said that he did.

“She’s asking me about Lindsey Wells.”

“Why are you asking my son about that?” Roland said.

“I’m assisting with the investigation into Lindsey’s disappearance.”

“Under whose authority?” Roland asked.

“My own,” Rainy said.

“Do our police know about this?”

“I’ve left a message with Sergeant Brendan Murphy, so yes.”

“He doesn’t have to talk to you.” Roland placed his hand on Mitchell’s shoulder.

“No, he doesn’t,” Rainy agreed.

Roland stayed quiet for a long second. “Forgive me for being so discourteous. The whole town is praying for Lindsey’s safe return,” Roland continued. “You can imagine why we’re all so on edge, as parents.”

“I can imagine,” Rainy said.

“Well, if there is anything we can do to help, you just let us know.”

“Well, actually, there is,” said Rainy.

“Oh?”

“I’d like to have a look at your son’s computers. I’ve brought one of our computer analysts from Boston with me. If you wouldn’t mind, we’d like to create mirror copies of the machines to conduct our own forensic analysis. I’ve brought some paperwork to sign that would authorize the search.”

“We don’t have to permit that, you know,” Roland said.

“Of course not.”

Mitchell looked at the older Boyd, then back to Rainy.

“Have at it,” he said. “But I’ve had to rebuild all the machines.”

“Rebuild?”

“Got hit with a virus,” Mitchell explained. “Nearly ruined my machines. Salvaged some stuff, but lost a bunch, too. Basically, every computer I’ve got is a new install. Not sure how it’ll help.”

“Just so we’re clear, you don’t mind if we search your computers? You’ll sign the consent search forms?”

Mitchell nodded. “If you think it’ll help find Lindsey, I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” he said.

Again that smile.

Rainy felt like she was playing a game. A losing one at that. Rainy and Carter followed Mitchell upstairs. Roland Boyd followed. Mitchell showed them the alcove where he kept what he called his computer lab.

“Why all the machines?” Carter asked him.

“Got to stay on top of technology if you want to stay ahead,” Mitchell said.

Roland Boyd stepped closer to his son. “Mitchell’s got a great head for business and technology. Those are the skills of tomorrow. He’ll do quite well.”

Carter connected his equipment to the first of Mitchell’s three computers. The screen flickered on. The computer was locked. The background image on the screen was a skull colored to look like the yin and yang symbol.

“What’s that?” Carter asked.

“Oh, I have them on all my computers,” Mitchell said. The boy turned around, pulled down his shirt collar, and showed them his tattoo. “Got the same design in ink,” he said with his back turned. “I think it’s the ultimate symbol of life. The yin. The yang. And death.”

“The skills of tomorrow,” Rainy muttered into Carter’s ear.

“This will take a little while,” Carter said. “We appreciate your being so cooperative.”

“No problem,” Mitchell replied. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

Mitchell left the alcove. Roland followed him out. Rainy sat down on a chair.

“What do you think?” Carter asked when they were alone.

“I think a yin and yang skull makes for one macabre calling card,” she said.