THERE WERE FIVE telephone messages waiting for him-Joe, Allain, and three from Chantale.
He called Allain first. He stuck to the script he'd formulated in the car on his way back: act as though nothing had happened and everything was the same as before. He didn't say anything about Eloise Krolak for now. It was still early in the investigation and he only had the videotape to go on. Instead, he explained that he'd spent the last few days chasing down a lead that had turned into a dead end. Allain thanked him for his dedication and hard work.
Max phoned Joe. The big man was out on a case. He wouldn't be contactable for the rest of the night.
He had a shower and made a pot of coffee. He was halfway through his first cup when the phone rang. It was Chantale.
She sounded relieved when she heard his voice. They had a long talk. Max told her the same lie he'd told Allain. He didn't know how much he could trust her. How much did she know about Charlie? And what about Allain? Had she guessed he was gay? Women were supposed to be able to spot that kind of thing.
Chantale told him that her mother's condition was deteriorating. She didn't think she'd last until Christmas. Max used that as an excuse to tell her not to come by the next day. He didn't want her around while he tailed Eloise. He said he'd cover for her with Allain. She said OK, but her voice said it wasn't.
After they were done, he went and sat out on the porch. The dark air was alive with the chatter of the nocturnal insects. A light wind was blowing behind the house, caressing the leaves and carrying with it the sweet fragrance of jasmine and burning trash.
He thought things through:
Vincent Paul didn't kidnap Charlie.
So, who did?
Was it one of Paul's enemies or one of Carver's?
If it was the last, did they know the truth about Charlie's parentage?
What about Beeson and Medd?
They must have come a lot closer than he had and they'd paid for it.
The thought of Beeson getting to something before him stirred up the dormant vestiges of his competitive pride. He got close to angry, imagining the sweaty little ferret almost cracking the case when he couldn't seem to get to first base.
Then he remembered what had happened to his old rival and he let the thought go.
He needed to talk to Beeson again, find out what he knew. He'd ask Joe to bring him in.
Until then, all he had to go on was Eloise Krolak.
Whether or not she was connected to Charlie's disappearance was something he'd soon find out.