Page 56 of Billion-Dollar Ransom

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Ma’am, this is a dedicated tip line for the Schraeder kidnappings. Does this house connect to these kidnappings in any way?

CALLER 4738: I’m getting to that! It’s been quiet lately, so I’m thinking, okay, maybe this cop sold it or something. Which would be great. But then I see this luxury car pull up. And believe me, this is not a luxury-car neighborhood.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Ma’am…

CALLER 4738: The weird thing is, when the cop rents his place out to people, they park on the street and use a keypad thing to let themselves in the front. This guy in the fancy car didn’t do that.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: What did he do?

CALLER 4738: He pulled right into the garage. Which means he must have had a remote control in his own car. Which is weird, right? I mean, what kind of Airbnb guests already have a remote? But I know he doesn’t live there. Like I said, a cop owns the place, which is why I’m powerless to do anything.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Can you tell me the address of this house?

CALLER 4738: It’s thirteen Briar Drive. That’s in Culver City.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR [Tapping keys]: I can see that. Has this man left the house since he arrived?

CALLER 4738: That’s just it! He hasn’t left for one minute. I mean, if you’re on vacation here, why would you stay all holed up? I saw him pull in yesterday afternoon—

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Do you remember the time you saw him?

CALLER 4738: I don’t know. I think it was two thirty or so? Definitely afterThe Talkbut beforeKelly Clarkson.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Did you see anyone else in the car with him?

CALLER 4738: No, why would I? Didn’t the kidnapper stuff that poor woman—what’s her name, Boo?—didn’t he stuff her in the trunk?

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: What did this man look like?

CALLER 4738: Big guy, blond hair. Like a soldier or a cop. Which is why I think it’s a friend of the owner… who, by the way, is kind of a dick.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Any other details?

CALLER 4738: He looked like he was in an awful hurry to get in the house before anyone saw him.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Have you overheard any conversations in that house? Any sounds at all?

CALLER 4738: No, which is also weird. You’d think there’d be something.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: How long have you been watching the house? Is it possible you could have missed this guest leaving?

CALLER 4738: I watch when I can, but I also pointed my Nest camera at the house and I’ve been recording this whole time. Because, you know… I’m curious.

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Ma’am, we are going to send someone out to look.

CALLER 4738: Oh, thank you!

TIP-LINE OPERATOR: Will you give me your name?

CALLER 4738 [After a pause]: Do you think Randolph Schraeder is good for the reward money? He seems a little cranky to me.

CHAPTER 61

Transcript of audio-only conversation (authenticated)

SAC NICOLE GORDON: Penney? It’s Gordon. We just got something promising on the tip line.

CAPTAIN JEFFREY PENNEY: In my experience, tip lines are full of shit.