Chapter 26 - Catching Breaks

Saul returned and took a phone call.

"We've got a partial plate on the van, but I'm not optimistic given how generic it is," Saul announced upon arrival. No one seems to know to whom it belonged. Maybe if we narrow down the make."

"Ford," both Lee and Roger said.

"You know this, why?"

"The picture earlier. We've been transported in that one enough times," Roger volunteered. "O.N.I. training special."

"Okay, maybe that will help." Saul picked up the phone and suggested narrowing the search to a Ford. He then switched lines to take a waiting call. "The photographer worked alone. Before the ceremony started, he caught sight of a man with a professional grade videocamera and a tripod, but he didn't know him, and he says he knows all the good videographers. He never had a chance to talk to him or ask about him. Do you know anything about hiring this guy?"

"No, I wasn't involved in any of that. Mel never mentioned video specifically. Maybe her family knows. Dick would have written the check."

"Would you call and ask him?"

Roger moved to a side desk with a phone to make the call. Several minutes later he reported. "No, they don't know anything about a videographer."

"What else did the photographer say about the guy?" Lee asked.

"He was wearing a tux and was a blonde. Absent the expensive video recorder, he could have passed as a guest, a waiter or even an usher. This Ollie guy - Mimi said he worked in the movies some. Maybe he does camera work?"

"That's not much to go on," Lee said.

"So what's next?" Roger asked.

"The tedious part of investigative work. We go through every piece of paper of Mel's, call every phone number asking for Ollie."

"It would help if she had kept a phone book," Lee said.

"She did."

"Where is it?"

"I don't know."

"Her car, maybe?"

"Knowing Mel it as easily could be stuffed between the sofa cushions."

"Let me go back to your apartment to check."

"I can go."

"No, you're more likely to recognize names and connections of Mel's in this stuff. Stick with this." Lee headed out the door.

Roger followed Lee out with keys in hand. "You'll need these back." He closed the door behind them. "Lee, what did those letters say?"

"You don't need to know the details."

"Was there anything in there that might help me help Rachael?"

Lee paused a moment. "Don't be too kind to her."

"What does that mean?"

"Be her O.N.I. comrade, not her best friend. She may respond better to tough love."

"I don't get it."

"It's not for me to tell."

"She held back stuff from me?"

Lee nodded.

"She told you? Why you?"

Lee shrugged. "Maybe because I pissed her off."

Roger moved in close to Lee and whispered. "F.Y.I., I didn't want to mention this in front of Saul, but when I met her cousins Randall and Thomas I was certain that I'd seen one of them before. At a bar. You know."

"Do you think that's relevant to anything?"

"Can't see how. Just putting it out there. Lee, I don't suppose you could get a ride to my apartment and bring my car back? I hate depending on anyone for rides and it seems like we may have to do some field work to track down this Ollie person." Roger dangled his key ring in front of Lee.

"Yeah, I'll do it."

"Dare I ask where to find it?"

"You already parked next to it."

"Right, another baby poop colored Grandpa mobile. Just remember what a good friend you have in me because you know I'd rather be caught dead than in that crate!"