Two days later Hutch drove Rita and Chris to a large office building baring the name Christian and Associates. Rita and Chris were impressed in spite of their tension. It was a beautiful building. Hutch led the way and all three were surprised by the efficiency of the staff and their discretion. Finding themselves in a anteroom, they didn't have long to wait. The door opened and two middle aged men entered, both were expensively dressed in Italian silk. One man was tall, with light brown hair. His companion was shorter and darker. Both seemed open and friendly, but subdued, as befit the situation.
"Captain Hutchinson," the taller man began. "It's great to see you again. Thank you so much for coming."
"Likewise Mr. Christian, Mr. Russell" Hutch began to the other man. "Allow me to introduce Chris Lorenzo and Rita-" Hutch hesitated.
"Lorenzo," Rita smiled ever so slightly. "Formerly Lance." Chris smiled briefly in return. It wasn't the first time that Rita used his name publicly as her own, but their supposed deaths put any official changes on hold. "It's our pleasure gentlemen. Chris and I just wish we could have met you under different circumstances."
"Yeah," Chris interjected, "we're so sorry for your loss. For what your families have gone through. The Captain told us a lot about you, we're really impressed, and we want to catch the bastard that hurt your girls. We will catch him!"
Christian and Russell studied the couple before them. Christian replied, "men in our positions can't afford to take anything at face value, even the word of Captain Hutchinson. So we checked you out and I must say your records are amazing. I also know a bit about what you've been through. I believe you-Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo-that you'll bring the killer to justice. I swear we'll do everything we can to help you." Christian led the group to several comfortable looking sofas.
Chris began, "my wife and I have been studying the cases. The first victims were last seen at busy public locations. Your daughters were different. There's no information on where they were. Can you fill in the blanks?"
Christian and Russell exchanged uncertain glances. Rita saw something else-guilt. "You don't know, do you? They were supposed to be home, weren't they?"
"You're right. We don't know. We don't know why they weren't home," Russell admitted with sorrow. "It wasn't the first time they left without permission. They were good girls. Their peers had much more freedom and their parents were much more permissive than we are. But we were far to trusting and a lot less watchful than we should have been."
"Did your girls have steady boyfriends? Was there anybody special?" Chris asked.
"No," Christian answered. "They dated. They were beautiful and popular girls and I have no doubt the boys chased them, but compared their peers, they were moving slowly."
"So there was nobody? A friend? An ex?" Rita asked.
Christian considered the question and finally said. "Jason Erikson, he was a friend of my daughter, since kindergarten. He's a nice boy, very smart, but socially inept. You don't think? There's no way he'd hurt the girls. I don't think he's capable of doing so, but his family is a bit difficult to deal with."
"Well tell us about them. What are they like?" Chris asked.
"The word "ideal rich" comes to mind," explained Russell. "It's a large family Jason is the youngest and than there is a daughter, who is married and lives out of state. The oldest are, or were, twins boys. One of them died when they would have been around 7. I don't know much about the survivor except that he's 25 and named Damion. Apparently he turned out well and works for his father. The parents are aloof and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some neglect, especially with Jason. The father can be taranical."
Rita glanced at Chris and knew he felt first stirrings of excitement as she did. Maybe they were onto something. It was weak at best, but better than what they had, which was nothing. Should they try to meet with Jason? It was a risk, but he may be their only path forward.
"What do you think Hutch? Should we try to speak to this Jason," Rita asked.
"Maybe. Perhaps he can give some color commentary on what went down. What do you think Mr. Christian?"
Robert Christian nodded. "He might, but I still find it hard to believe that he's involved in this."
"Do you think the family would let us talk to him?" Rita asked.
"Yes, as long as you stay out of Old Man Erikson's "business dealings", I don't think they'd care or even notice. The parents aren't around a lot," Christian explained.
All three detectives looked askew at Christian's mention of the elder Erikson's "business dealings", but they were there to solve a murder, not investigate graft.
"Can you think of anything else that could help us? Rita asked.
"No. We're sorry, but if we think of anything we'll contact Captain Hutchinson. Can I be frank Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo about something that's troubling us?"
"Of course! But call us Chris and Rita!" Rita said.
"We're very grateful to you both. You have no idea. We know what you're risking by helping us and we want to help support your efforts. We're prepared to give you…"
Rita held up her hand. "No. No it's not about money. We're not looking for a handout."
"You owe us nothing. This is what we do. What we are," Chris explained.
"I thought you might say that. Than I want to hire you. I understand you're Private Investigators, or at least managed to get fake credentials. I can go a step better." Christian handed them an envelope.
Rita took it and opened it. Inside were Private Investigator credentials, in their own names, and a credit card with the name L & L Investigations, LLC embossed on it. Rita and Chris looked up at the two men. They were speechless.
"The credentials are real and so is the credit card. I had my lawyers draw up an LLC in your name. If you agree, and you sign the paperwork, it will be your company, 100 percent. I'd like to have you on retainer, but you're welcome to take other clients of course. In addition, I have 10,000 for you to use now as you see fit. What do you say? We can discuss your fees later."
Rita and Chris looked at each other and then over to Hutch whose expression was inscrutable. They realized they had to make the decision for themselves. Hutch, Christian and Russell watched in fascination as Chris and Rita silently debated the pros and cons with nothing more than their eyes. They turned to the three men and said together. "We accept your deal."
Chris and Rita signed the paperwork and pocketed their new and official credentials. They left the building as quickly as they entered. They drove in silence, but Hutch finally broke the spell as he said. "I'm happy for you both. Part of me wanted you to join FLPD and I'm sure Harry would like you back in Palm Beach, but we both know that's not the life you want or need now. I'll set up an interview with Jason. I suggest you use those fake credentials, just in case. I also think we have Montoya by his short and curlies, but he's proving to be more slippery than I expected."
As Hutch drove up their street Chris and Rita scanned the area looking for anything out of the ordinary. Saying their goodbyes to Hutch, they quickly moved into the house, keeping their hands close to their guns.
"I guess you were right, Sam," Rita began to Chris. "This PI thing is a life line. I still can't believe it. I feel like we've done nothing to deserve this."
"Look I don't know why Christian and Russell are gambling on us, but I guess they see 're not going to let them down, Sam. It's the start of our new life Rita. So do you think Jason has anything to do with this?"
Rita pondured everything Chris said, but only remarked on his last question. "We haven't even met them, but something about the Eriksons gives me the creeps. They're to much like the bad golfers back home, Chris."
"I can't disagree with you. My gut is telling me this kid knows something."