Quintera's cell rang. He listened. "Stu's car isn't in the lot. Myron should be at his condo in five minutes. Myron said Hattie called the hospital and both clinics. Stu didn't show up. I don't even know if Stu has a personal doctor. I never heard him say he did, but Stu was not one to talk about his personal life. He was a loner, you know that, Boss."

Owens did know that. It was one of the reasons he'd picked Stu to join his inner ring. "What about his ex-wife?"

"She moved back to Texas after the divorce, and before you can ask, I don't know if there's anyone he's seeing on a regular basis. With the hours we put in, I don't see how he could even find anyone who would be willing to put up with his work schedule."

Ten minutes later Oliver's cell rang. He listened and said, "Okay, come on back."

"What?" Owens bellowed.

"Stu's car is in his designated parking space at his condo. His bloody clothes are in the bathroom. Nothing looks out of place. His refrigerator is full of food. He's got a lot of books, lots and lots of DVDs. Today's paper was on the coffee table, still rolled up. The bed was made, the towels wet like he maybe took a shower. He's got luggage in his closet. Plenty of shoes and sneakers. No computer. The guy has a ton of clothes, so my guy couldn't tell if anything was missing. His golf clubs were by the front door. Toothbrush and shaving gear are still in the bathroom. My guy said Stu is a neat freak."

Owens could feel his stomach muscles knot up. "What about his laptop? Stu had a laptop. I know, because that's how he kept track of his investments."

"Maybe it's in his car, but the car is locked."

"Quintera, call DMV and ask them if they have any other vehicles registered to Stu." Owens knew it was going to be a dead end. Stu had simply walked away. He knew it because if he had been in Franklin's position, he would have done it the same way. He said a mental good-bye to Stu Franklin. There would be no trail to follow, that much he knew. He also knew Stu wouldn't give any of them up. Stu was like those goddamn ninjas that hit the nation's capital—he had simply disappeared into thin air. Bastard!

Chapter 21