“What about cold cases?”
“We have our share of the usual. Missing kids and young people.” Luca paused. “And then there’s the perplexing case of Axel Anderson who disappeared off the grid two years ago.”
“Axel Anderson? Who’s that?” Justice frowned. This guy disappeared two years ago? Coincidence?
“Old California money. His family made a fortune in Napa Valley. He and his wife and children vanished into thin air. There hasn’t been any activity on Anderson’s accounts or social media. No digital footprint at all. Security cameras haven’t caught hide nor hair of him or his family. The feds gave up looking for them after a year. It’s a mystery.” He shook his head. “Mayor Gage refuses to give up hope.”
Justice’s heart rate rose a little. “Mayor Gage? What does he have to do with it?”
“He and Anderson were close friends. Grew up together. Graduated from UCLA. The best man at each other’s weddings, that sort of thing. Gage has offered a huge reward for any information regarding the family’s disappearance, but so far nothing has panned out.”
Follow the money.He understood Gage’s connection to Anderson, but how did Ferguson fit into the picture?
“Thanks for the update, Martini. Will you keep me posted on the Anderson case if you learn anything new?”
“Absolutely, Chief. Just let me know if I can help you in any way.”
Justice shook his hand again and left Martinelli’s office. He wondered if Axel Anderson’s disappearance had something to do with the reason why Madam Secretary wanted him in Laguna Beach. To keep an eye on the mayor perhaps? Pieces of a puzzle were beginning to take shape in his mind. He just wished he could see the big picture.
* * *
Justice slid behind the wheel of his brand-new black Ford Explorer decked out with the latest technology and grinned. “Cool.” He called his father to let him know that he’d be driving himself to the beach house and pulled slowly out of his reserved spot. On his way home he stopped at a florist to buy flowers for Adrienne. He didn’t know what kind she liked but figured he couldn’t go wrong with a bouquet of red roses.
Parked in his driveway, his thoughts strayed toward the woman running on the beach, and he wondered if he’d see her again. So far, there’d been no sign of her. He let out his breath as he approached the front door. Better to focus on the job than on a woman.
He greeted Franklin with a hug and commented, looking around, “You did a nice job with the place, Dad. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. The house needed a major cleaning. I bought you a few necessities and stocked the fridge and pantry. When I return to Connecticut, I’ll send your personal things.” He paused as he studied Justice. “That is, if you’ve decided to stay and run the police department.”
Justice removed his gun belt. “I have. Last night was rough, I’ll admit. I was overwhelmed. But today was better. I got a feeling for what I’m doing. Tawny, of course, is a godsend. I want her on my team.”
He unbuttoned his shirt. “And I learned a bit of interesting information. An old friend of Mayor Gage’s, Axel Anderson, and his entire family disappeared. Totally off the grid. Have you heard his name before?”
“Seems like I have,” Franklin answered as he followed his son upstairs. “Rich family, right?”
Justice didn’t reply. When he stepped into the master suite and saw the pink comforter and accent pillows, along with pink towels in the bathroom, he burst into hearty laughter.
Tossing one of the pillows at Franklin, he said, still laughing, “Great joke, Dad! I never knew you had a sense of humor.”
“I couldn’t resist.”
“No kidding.” Justice turned on the shower, finished stripping, and stepped into the stall. “To answer your question, yes, the Andersons are filthy rich. They own grape vineyards in Napa Valley. Old money.”
“Odd,” Franklin replied, mulling over the information.
“I thought so, too.”
Justice finished his shower and dressed in a pair of black pants, a light blue shirt, and a black tie. He joined his father downstairs and found him holding the bouquet of roses.
“Flowers?”
“They’re appropriate.” Justice jerked his head toward a bottle of fine red wine. “For Adrienne?”
“It’s appropriate,” Franklin intoned, mimicking his son.
As they left the beach house, Justice ordered, “Please be nice to Adrienne.”
“You sound like me.”
