They got to the site where one of the search groups was waiting for them. The head of the group, Casey Simmons, was one of her best volunteers. He had been with the Florida Omni Search for about three years. He was always available for searches and he never missed a thing.
"Whaddaya got?" Chief Gladstone barked out at the group. He was red-faced and breathing hard by the time they got there. Rachel didn't think the police department got exciting action like this. The most he probably got was drunken teenagers on spring break.
"We first saw some red fabric in the bushes here. When I got a closer look, we found this." Casey pointed the bush. He had put down a marker when he saw it – just like he was trained to do. He also had taken a few photos with the digital camera he always carried.
One of the officers on Chief Gladstone’s crew put on a pair of gloves and reached down to the bush. He pulled out a pocket knife and turned it over in his hand. Rachel noticed it had a Maltese cross on the side.
“That is a firefighter emblem, right?” Rachel asked him.
The officer bagged it along with the red fabric. “Yep. Looks like it.”
"Get this back to base. Let Mack Dixon take a look at it and see if it belongs to Sam," Chief Gladstone said as the other officer handed him the bag.
Rachel got her radio out. "Rankin, can you get Max over here and let's see if they can pick up a scent?" She gave him their position again.
A few minutes later Rankin and his dog Max came to the site. He gave Max another sniff of the scent and they took off.
Rachel and her team followed Rankin and Max for about a half mile along a worn path through the woods. She could hear the Chief behind her, gasping for breath and struggling to keep up. Every few minutes Rankin would give Max encouragement. The path suddenly ended at a dirt road.
Max wondered around the dirt road a bit and finally settled down on his hind legs. He let out a whine as Rankin soothed him and gave him a treat.
"Where does the road lead?" Rachel asked.
“It dead ends at a fishing camp this way.” Chief Gladstone pointed east. “And if you go the other way, it hooks back up to the highway by the farmers market. There are also some trailers, maybe six or seven which are on this road.”
"So, it is probable someone picked her up?" Rachel asked.
“Probable, yes. We don't know if she had help, someone took her, or she went on her own. Anything is possible.” Chief Gladstone wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt. “Let’s head back.” His heavy frame was soaked with sweat.
Back at the warehouse, Mack Dixon and Jeff Stanton were waiting for them. The officer handed Mack the baggie with the knife in it.
Mack took a look at the pocket knife. He turned it over slowly in his hand. "Sure looks like Sam's knife. Her kids gave it to her for Mother's day last year."
“Sentimental value. Something she always kept on her?” Rachel asked.
“She never went anywhere without it.”
"What about the red fabric?"
"Have no idea. That could be anything."
"What was she wearing again when you last saw her?" Rachel asked.
“When we came on shift, she had on civilian clothes. I think she was wearing jeans and a dark t-shirt. We wear our standard firefighter uniform while on duty, which is dark navy slacks and work shirt with the fire department logo,” Mack explained. “Her clothes she wore when she came in that morning are still in her locker.”
"Well, we do know one thing for sure. Sam didn’t die in the warehouse fire. She made it to the street down there. Either on her own or someone got her," Chief Gladstone said, shaking the evidence bag. “The lab will run for fingerprints."
Rachel thanked all the volunteers and went to her truck to grab some water and call Nora to give her an update. After talking with Nora, she would call in reinforcements. She scrolled through the phone book on her cell phone and hit the dial button.
Chapter Eleven
Santa Rosa Beach, Wednesday noon
Stacy Case was a reporter for the Miami Sun who befriended Rachel on her last case in the Bahamas. It didn’t take long for the two to form a friendship. Stacy was good at her job as a reporter and proved to be a great source of information. Rachel would describe their relationship as a give and take. Stacy used her investigative skills to help Rachel with her cases and Rachel returned the favor by giving Stacy exclusive interviews on juicy stories.
Rachel had planned on leaving a message, thinking Stacy wouldn’t answer her phone while on vacation. She was surprised when Stacy picked up on the first ring.
"Hey girl, how is your vacation going?" Rachel asked her.
Stacy was in Arizona at the Canyon Ranch Spa. Probably soaking up the sun, eating fresh, healthy food, and taking yoga classes, Rachel thought. She wished she were there too, getting massages and facials. Canyon Ranch was one of her favorite spots for R & R.
“Just reading a book and then later today taking a hike with Guido.”
“Guido? Are you serious?” Rachel laughed.
“Yeah. He is one of the fitness instructors. Funny name, but he has a nice ass. What's up with you?"
"I’m working on a new case. Something big." Rachel switched the phone to her other ear.
"That's nothing new," Stacy said. "Let me guess. You need some help."
"Yes, I do. And you know I hate to bother you, especially while you’re away. Going on hikes with Guido and stuff."
“You know me better than that. I’m itching to get back into things. I’ve been here three days and to be honest with you – I am going stir crazy. Whatcha got?"
Stacy was just as much as a workaholic as she was. Rachel was surprised Stacy even took the time to get away. She assumed her boss at the Miami Sun had something to do with it. Stacy got a huge story out of the last case they worked on together. The missing daughter of Governor John Knowles cracked Stacy’s career wide open.
"I’m in Santa Rosa Beach, which is up in north Florida. There is a firefighter missing. Her name is Samantha Collins. It’s been almost a week since she disappeared and so far we have squat.”
Rachel heard some rustling on the other end of the line. "Hang on, I’m getting a pen," Stacy paused. "Ok, go ahead. Give me something to go on."
Rachel gave her all the details she knew so far. "I’m really looking for some information on her husband, Ken Collins. He was a former captain of the Santa Rosa Beach police department. He was busted this past February for marijuana possession. Actually, there’s more to it. He was growing and selling pot out of his backyard and apparently without Sam's knowledge."
"Yeah, I remember hearing something about it," Stacy said, writing everything down. “He was partner with another firefighter and they got busted. It was a big story. Some guy in my office did the feature on it. I’ll look it up.”
“He got busted and was bonded out along with Paul Hart, his partner. But then Ken did something to violate his bond. Not sure what, but he is back in jail awaiting trial.”
“Ok. Got it. What about the wife?”
"Samantha Collins. She is now officially missing," Rachel replied. “It was first assumed she perished in the fire, but they didn’t find a body. Her helmet was the only thing found when they did a search of the warehouse. Today, we did a search around the area and found a pocket knife which belonged to her.”
"That’s strange. Are you thinking her husband’s grow operation had something to do with it?"
"Could be. It is very suspicious she disappeared the week before she was supposed to testify at his trial.”
"Maybe she ran?"
"Not sure. From everything I heard so far, from Sam's mom and her friends and co-workers, the trial had a huge impact on her life. Financially and emotionally. But I think she was on her husbands' side. They have two kids together. I’m going this afternoon to the jail and talk to Ken to see what he has to say.”
"Ok. Let me get on the computer and do some digging around. I can get on the next flight back to Fl
orida.”
"I know this goes without saying..."Rachel started to say.
"Yeah, I know. Keep your name out of it and keep it quiet." Stacy sighed.
"Thanks, Stace. Travel safe. Call me when you get in."
Stacy was a hound dog when it came to tracking down information on someone. If anyone could help her figure out what happened to Sam, it was Stacy.
Chapter Twelve
Santa Rosa Beach, Wednesday 3:35 PM
This is just like déjà vu, Ken thought as he made his way back to the visitor’s room. He was anxious of any news – good or bad – that involved Sam. As he walked into the room, he saw a pretty redheaded woman sitting next to his lawyer. He guessed this was who Chief Gladstone was talking about. The woman who ran the search and rescue company. Now he took a good look at her, he recognized her from several cable network shows like Nancy Grace and America’s Most Wanted. She wore a white skirt and turquoise top which showed off her tanned figure. Ken thought she resembled the girl from the movie Pretty Woman.
His attorney, Suzette, stood up from the table and made the introductions. Ken was shocked to see his attorney was dressed a little more appropriately today in black pantsuit. She still wore her blonde hair with the trademark hot pink streak in it, though. “Rachel works with Florida Omni Search. Nora called her and asked if she come down here and help us found out what happened to Samantha.”
“I have seen you on TV before. You worked on the Amber Knowles case,” Ken said, looking at his lawyer. “She was the governor’s daughter who went missing a few months ago.”
“Yes, the governor requested my help in finding his daughter after she disappeared from a cruise ship,” Rachel confirmed. “I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I would like to help in any way I can. Can you tell me why you think Sam would have disappeared?”
Ken ran his hand through his hair. “I just can’t believe this. Sam wouldn’t leave our kids, with everything that’s going on.”
“Your mother-in-law said the same thing to me when I asked if Sam would have left on her own.”
“I heard you guys were going to do another search today. I thought the police already did this once. Did you find anything different?”
“I know they conducted a search around the warehouse the day after she disappeared, but we have special equipment most law enforcement companies don’t,” Rachel explained. “During our search, we did find a couple of items of interest. The police department is processing them for prints and such, so I only have these.” She put a couple photos on the desk in front of him.
Ken stared at the pictures. “What is this?”
“It is a piece of red fabric, probably from an article of clothing.”
“This is Sam’s knife.” He pointed to the other picture. “Where did you find it?”
“Our searchers spotted the red cloth first. Then the knife was found under a bush near the cloth. It was located about a half mile from the farmer’s market,” Rachel said. “Are you sure the knife is Sam’s?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I picked it out with the kids for her Mother’s day gift last year. She had lost her other one during a fishing trip. I was going to get it engraved for her, but never got the chance.” Ken scrubbed his face with his hands.
“Did she always carry the knife with her?”
“She never went anywhere without it.”
Click. It was like a light bulb went off in her head. That was the same thing Mack had told her. She didn’t say that to Ken though. She was starting to get an inkling something between Mack and Sam was going on.
“Where did she keep it?”
“She always kept it on her while she was on duty. She put it in the front pocket of her pants.”
“When was the last time you spoke to Sam?”
“Last Tuesday, a couple of days before she disappeared, she came with my lawyer to talk about the case.”
Rachel looked at Suzette for confirmation. She nodded her head in agreement.
“Did you notice anything unusual about her demeanor?”
“No. The Chief asked me the same questions. If there was something bothering Sam, then she hid it well. She is a rock.”
“Did you know she was putting the house up for sale?” Rachel asked.
“What?” Ken exclaimed. The question stunned him. “No, I didn’t. I mean, we talked about it, but I didn’t think she would do it.”
“The house is in her name only?” Rachel asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yes, it’s part of her family’s land. Her father deeded it to her right before we were married. We have fourteen acres with a main house and then the guest house and barn. I told her not to sell it.”
“Nora said she was talking to some real estate agents last week. She was trying to get a value on the place.”
“Money is tight. I know. But I told her not to do anything drastic without talking to me first.”
“Nora said she was also looking for another job. She was watching the kids while Sam went on interviews. Said it was almost impossible for her to find anything. No one wanted to hire her, it seems.”
“It’s because of what I did. It is all because of me she wants to sell the house. Because of me, she can’t get a job. And because of me, she is missing.” Ken pounded his fist so hard on the table, Rachel jumped in her seat.
“Calm down, Ken. We are just trying to find out what happened.” Suzette said.
“Someone who is putting their house up for sale, looking for a job and has two beautiful children to look after…doesn’t sound like someone who would just up and disappear,” Rachel said.
“I don’t think so, either. Something bad happened,” Ken agreed.
“Suzette said you were getting death threats?”
“That’s is typical. I am an ex-cop who helped put away most of these bastards in here.” He waved his hand around the room. “They keep me in a separate cell away from the others. I eat, exercise and shower by myself.”
“Would any of these people want to hurt Sam?” Rachel asked.
“To get back at me, I’m sure. I told her to be careful and not go anywhere alone.”
“Did anyone know her routine? Work schedule. Where you live?”
“Sure, lots of people. It’s a small resort town. Everybody knows everyone. It wouldn’t be hard to find out when Sam worked.”
“Are Mack and Sam close?”
Ken looked at her for an uncomfortable moment before answering. Rachel could see the tension in his face. “Yes, they have been friends for a long time."
“Mack seemed to think the fire was intentional.”
“Mack was with her that night. He should have never let Sam out of his sight. He should have never let her go back into the building. If anything happened to her, I blame him,” Ken said.
“In his defense, I don’t think he knew. Their focus was on getting the victim out of the building and getting him medical attention. He said he thought Sam was behind him the whole time.”
“Well she wasn’t. Was she?”
“Look, Ken. I will do whatever I can to help find Sam. We’ll be in touch.” Rachel stood to leave. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her white linen skirt and looked back at Ken. His last words stopped her in her tracks.
“I would talk to Mack again if I were you. Since he and Sam were having an affair.” Ken got up from his chair, scraping the legs across the linoleum tile. “Guard, I am ready to go.”
Chapter Thirteen
Santa Rosa Beach, Thursday 10am
Rachel went to the airport to pick Stacy up. It was the least she could do for asking her friend to cut her vacation short.
Stacy was waiting outside the baggage terminal for her. She threw her one bag into the backseat and climbed in Rachel’s truck.
“Travelling lightly, huh?” Rachel asked.
“No need for a lot of clothes at a health spa. Bathing suit and a couple pairs of workout clothes.”
“Did you throw Guido in you
r bag too?”
Stacy laughed. “No. Guido has lots of women to keep him company at the ranch. I am but one in his long line of conquests.”
“Are you sure you went to Canyon Ranch and not some nudist colony? I don’t remember anybody named Guido when I went there. Only Helga. Large Swedish woman with hands the size of ham hocks.”
“Yes, Helga. She’s still there. Best massage ever.”
“Well, thanks again for coming back. You look well rested.” Rachel admired Stacy’s healthy glow. Stacy wore her honey blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and she looked ten years younger than her thirty-five years. She was petite, only 5’1 and about 115 pounds with inquisitive green eyes and deep dimples in both cheeks.Stacy could light up a room just with her presence.
“Oh, there will be payback.”
Rachel laughed. “I was expecting it.”
“I started looking into Ken Collins last night,” Stacy said, adjusting her seat.
Rachel expected nothing less. Once Stacy got a sniff of a good story, she was like a bulldog. Persistence and determination were her middle names. She may be small, but she was feisty.
“What did you find out about the marijuana operation?”
“Well, I did some digging around and found out a few things,” Stacy answered. “As you know, Ken got started after the arrest of Jason Blum and Pedro Gonzalez. He partnered with Paul Hart and they ran the grow operation out of his barn. They produced a particular brand of marijuana called Cush.”
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