A.L. and Rena went straight to the conference room where two FBI agents and Chief Faster were already seated. There was a laptop in front of Faster and they had a big screen pulled down at the far end of the room. “We’ve watched it once,” Faster said. “But don’t recognize the man.” He pushed a button on the keyboard and the screen lit up.

It was definitely Kara Wiese. The tail had started filming when Kara stopped her car near the park entrance. There was only one other car in the lot. She didn’t walk toward it. However, she went to sit on a bench. But she wasn’t sitting quietly. She was looking around, as if waiting for someone.

And four minutes later, a man walked into view. A.L. sat up a little straighter in his chair.

He watched as the man sat next to her. Then as he put his arms around her and kissed her. Not a nice to see you again kiss but more of a I might consume you whole kind of thing.

“What?” Rena asked, looking at him.

He looked around the room. “Allow me the pleasure of introducing you to Steven Hanzel.”

Twenty-Three

They debated whether to pick up Kara Wiese for questioning first, or Steven Hanzel. In the end, A.L. convinced them to start with Hanzel. “He’s going to crack first.”

What they expected him to “crack” about was yet to be determined. But the fact that Kara Wiese had lied about the relationship and that both she and Steven Hanzel were significant players in Emma’s disappearance was enough.

They’d watched Steven and Kara talk for several minutes, kiss a few more times, and finally part, each taking off in separate vehicles. The tail on Kara had continued and ended when she arrived at the Lakeside Learning Center.

“Hanzel was dressed for work,” he said. The man’s suit had been all neat and tidy. “I’m betting we find him there.” In his notes, he found the telephone number for Tamara Federer. He dialed. When she answered, he didn’t waste any time.

“This is Detective McKittridge. I am calling because my partner and I are going to want to have a discussion with Steven Hanzel. Can you verify for me if he’s at work?”

“Hold for just a moment, Detective.”

She was back within thirty seconds. “He’s here. I’ll reserve the first floor conference room for your use. If you’re coming now, the front door won’t be open yet. However, we have a guard posted and I’ll give him your names and authorize entry. Once inside, any discretion you can use when you’re in the bank around other employees would be appreciated.”

He got it. She didn’t want a scene. “Will do. Thanks.”