Stealing Lives: A Gripping FBI Kidnapping Thriller (Cassie Viera FBI Thriller Series Book 2) by Richard Bannister

Author:Richard Bannister [Bannister, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

ALMOST THIRTY MINUTES later, Stevie and I step inside the third-floor office of Craig Gentry, Channel Five’s news director. He comes from behind an oak desk and extends a hand in greeting. His grip is firm, his eye contact and smile well-practiced. He’s dressed in a dark pinstripe suit with a crisp white shirt and a tie the color of burgundy wine.

“Please have a seat.” He gestures at two guest chairs and sits behind his desk, leaning forward on his elbows. “I wasn’t aware Peyton was missing until you called. To be honest, I’ve been annoyed with her for skipping work and not returning my calls. Even thought about terminating her.”

“You have any idea where she might have gone?”

Gentry slowly shakes his head. “Sorry, no.”

“Peyton’s friend said she was acting oddly before she vanished. That she’s a vulnerable individual who suffers from blackouts.”

“Let me see.” He leans to one side and slides a drawer open, selecting a folder which he lays open on his desk. He studies the top sheet. “On her employment application, she disclosed she suffered from absence seizures as a child but said they are no longer a problem.”

“I’ve only spoken to her one time. She seemed . . . er—”

“Cocky?” Gentry suggests.

“Yeah. She implied she was working with Hazel DeRosa on an upcoming docudrama about the disappearance of Maddie Zapata.”

“That’s true, though the program is on hold until Hazel gets back. Peyton is her intern.”

“Did Peyton continue looking into Maddie’s disappearance after Hazel was attacked?” Stevie asks.

“More than likely. I just found out she sent a text to a coworker asking her for any information about two people who she suggests may be related to the case.”

“We need their names.”

Gentry frowns. “I don’t think—”

I lock eyes with him. “One of your employees is missing. Her disappearance could be related to what she was working on.”

He consults a notepad, and recites in a pained tone, “Gerry Barrington and Art Laney. I’ve spoken to Peyton since Barrington’s untimely death, so he can’t be involved in her disappearance. He was a friend, as is Art Laney. There’s no way either man has any connection to missing women. It’s way out of line for Peyton to suggest otherwise.”

“I’d like to speak to the coworker.”

Gentry flashes me a forced smile. “Of course.” He presses a button on an intercom and asks someone named Vicky to come to his office.

“Have you had the chance to observe Peyton’s work habits?” I ask while we wait.

“Not directly. We hired her because she seemed to be a go-getter, but Hazel said Peyton can make hasty decisions. She often acts without thinking things through, and that’s true in the instance we’re talking about.”

“Reckless, even?” Stevie asks.

“I get that impression.”

There’s a tap on the door, and a woman comes into the room, her heels clip-clopping on the tiled floor. She’s around my age of thirty-four, willowy, with dark shoulder-length hair, and dressed in a blue pencil skirt suit.

“Ah, Vicky, thanks for coming in. These ladies are with the FBI.

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