Monumental. The screen flashed to a close-up of Leo. âHe and his mother took an early-morning trip to Mercat Del Encants. She became distracted by a merchant, and when she turned back around, Leo was gone.â Shaw dropped his hands onto his desk.
âNo ransom demands?â Michael said.
âNo,â Shaw said.
âSurveillance?â
His boss nodded and hit another button. Leoâs picture was re placed by surprisingly clear security footage. The camera was aimed directly at a string of high-priced booths. To the left of the screen, a well-dressed blonde strolled the aisle with a small boy in tow. The blonde was stopped in the middle of the thoroughfare by a young girl peddling scarves. The boy pulled away, eager to use his motherâs distraction to his best advantage. She turned her head for a few secondsâfive at bestâbut it was enough. The instant her back was turned, a man swept into the frame, ball cap pulled low to hide his face, and scooped the boy into his arms. He clamped a hand over Leoâs mouth and was gone before the blonde even manages to tell the girl no thanks.
Shaw paused the feed. âThatâs it. Ten seconds of tape. Less than helpful, Iâm afraid.â
The guy on the screen kept his face turned away. He seemed to know that the camera was there, so it was safe to assume that whoever he was, heâd planned the abduction. Michael studied the frozen images on the screen and tried not to let the look of absolute terror on the boyâs face bother him.
âWhere was their security detail?â
Shaw inclined his head and shrugged. âJon Maddox is an up and comerâhis father is pinning presidential hopes on his chest, but his wife, Sara, is ⦠less than cooperative. Sheâd been expressly forbidden from taking Leo from the hotel without his detail, and she agreed not to do so.â
âBut she did it anyway,â Ben said, shooting Michael a sidelong glance.
âAny chance sheâs involved?â Michael said.
Shaw shook his head. âNo. Sheâs completely beside herself. Leon said sheâs been under heavy sedation since the abduction.â
Michael said nothing. He wasnât counting anyone outânot even the old man. Leon Maddox played the part of bereaved grandfather to a T, but if heâd learned anything it was that the face most people showed the world was a lie.
âWhat about her?â He tipped his chin at the screen, indicating the young woman with the scarves. âAnyone talk to her? Ask her what she saw?â
âSpanish authorities havenât been able to find her.â
âBullshit. They canât find one girl?â This came from Lark, who until now had been content to sit quietly. He crossed his arms over his chest, shooting a pointed look Michaelâs way. âEither they donât care or theyâve been paid not to look,â he said.
âMy guess is both,â Michael said, studying the frozen video. The girl looked scared, thatâs for sure, but she didnât look surprised by what was happening. âI guess we have our square one.â Michael stood, ready to get started, but his partner had different ideas.
âI have a question,â Ben said, his clear blue eyes gone ice cold. âWhy the hell do you care about some kid that got snatched from a flea market?â
âLeon Maddox is my friend.â Shaw folded his hands on his blotter and pinned his son with a glare.
âYou donât have friends; you have chess pieces.â Ben shook his head. âThereâs always something in it for you. So what is it?â
âBelieve it or not, Benjamin, I happen to care a great deal about what happens to Leo Maddoxââ
âYou care ?â Ben shot to his feet. âWell, look at you ⦠all magnanimous and shit,â he said with a laugh. âIâd like to know where your nobility was the day Mason and