Page 76 of Wild Oblivion

We pushed through the gate and strolled the walkway up to the veranda. I rang the video doorbell and waited.

An annoyed voice crackled through the speaker a moment later. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Coconut County,” I said, flashing my badge to the lens. “Sorry to disturb you at this hour.” I shared a look with Jack before proceeding. “We’re investigating a cold case and need to take a look around your backyard.”

“Cold case?”

“We believe perpetrators may have concealed evidence on the property.”

“Evidence?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If it’s a cold case, can this wait until the morning?”

“No, sir. Time is of the essence. We believe there is a connection to a recent kidnapping.”

Jack muttered, “Just tell him there’s a body buried in his backyard and we need to dig it up.”

“What!?”

“We can come back with a warrant,” I said, bluffing. “But we’re losing valuable time, and a young girl’s life is at stake.”

“How long is this going to take? I’ve got an early flight out in the morning.”

“We just need to take a look around, then determine the next steps,” I said, trying to minimize the inconvenience.

He sighed. “Sure. Go ahead. The gate’s unlocked. I’ll meet you around back.

We escorted Henrik around the house and up the driveway to the back gate and stepped onto the patio. Henrik looked around, taking in the scenery. "This has changed a lot."

"Where did you bury it?" I asked.

"I need to get my bearings.” He looked around, trying to find some natural landmarks, but everything had changed.

The patio was made of nice stonework. A fire pit offered a centerpiece for social gatherings. A propane grill stood ready to barbecue burgers, and a covered bar offered the perfect place to serve drinks. The pool was perfect for lounging in the sun on a float pad. It gave off resort vibes, designed for leisure.

James, the homeowner, stepped onto the patio through the back door. He’d put on a T-shirt and shorts, but was in his bare feet. James was mid-40s with short curly dark hair, a chubby face, and a portly figure. He stood about 6’2” and was an imposing guy. "Want to tell me what this is all about?"

"Like I said," I replied. "Cold case that may be connected to a current kidnapping."

His brow wrinkled with confusion. "I still don't see what that has to do with my property." James surveyed JD and me, then Henrik, trying to piece it all together. He pointed at the old man as Henrik counted off steps from the fence to the edge of the house. "Who is Einstein over here?"

The bushy white hair made a direct comparison obvious. James didn't know how spot on his reference was.

"He's involved in the investigation. The former homeowner." I changed the subject. "How long have you been in the house?”

"About a year now. We bought it from a guy who did a teardown and rebuild.”

Henrik rejoined us. "By my calculations, it's in the living room," he said, pointing.

My brow lifted. "You sure?”

"My calculations are never wrong."

"What exactly are you looking for?" James asked.

"It's a long, complicated story," I said. Then I asked Henrik again, "Are you absolutely sure?"