"That'll work."
“Come on, I’ll show you where it is.”
Kowalski led them to a private stairwell and then, on the second floor, to a doorway marked Employees Only.Inside, there were three offices, and he took them into one on the right.It was modest, with a table, six chairs, and a decent internet connection.Miles set up his laptop while Vic spoke to Kowalski.
"If possible, I want everything from the past week," Vic said."Every camera, every angle.”
“That’s a lot of data.”
“I know.But we'll sort through it."
“I’ll get it done,” Kowalski said as he left the room.
Meanwhile Miles opened up the basic information on Diane Rothschild from the case files, but it quickly became clear they needed someone with better access to financial databases and social media analytics.Agent Kim had proven herself invaluable time and time again, and her ability to dig through digital footprints was exactly what they needed here.If the killer was selecting victims based on their public displays of platinum jewelry, Sarah could track Rothschild's social media presence and connections faster than anyone.
He pulled up his contact list and dialed her number.She answered on the second ring.
"Please tell me you're calling with good news," Sarah said.“Case closed already?”
"Not quite.Itdoesfeel like this is the work of another disciple.”
“Platinum this time?"
“Yeah.And we could use some help with a background check if you’ve got the time."
“Of course.What do you need?”
"The victim's name is Diane Rothschild.She worked in the private equity sector, lived in a penthouse on the Upper East Side.I need you to dig into her background.Everything you can find.Financial records, social connections, enemies if she had any.”
"Sounds simple enough.Give me twenty minutes."
Miles ended the call and returned to his files, pulling up what little information local PD had gathered so far and sent to the bureau.Vic sat down across from him, scrolling through his phone.
"Kowlaksi’s sending the footage within the hour," Vic said."What are you thinking about entry points?"
"All of these disciples have consistently shown that they’re too careful to make a mistake with security cameras.Which means either he had legitimate access or he found a way in that we're not seeing."
"Legitimate access how?Through an employee or maybe a resident?"
"Maybe.Or someone Rothschild knew and trusted enough to let in."
Vic considered this and shrugged."Yeah, there were no signs of forced entry.No struggle.She was sedated in her own bed."
"Which suggests she was comfortable.Either asleep already or relaxed enough not to be alarmed when he entered."
They worked independently for a bit, Miles getting better acquainted with Rothschild while Vic got on the phone with someone downstairs, asking who she’d need to speak with in order to get a blueprint of the building.No more than ten minutes passed before Miles's phone buzzed.It was a text from Kim:Preliminary search complete.Calling now.
The phone rang just a moment later.
"That was fast," Miles said, putting Kim on speaker.Vic looked up and gave the call her undivided attention.
"Well, that’s mainly because Diane Rothschild left a pretty substantial digital footprint," Kim said."I'm sending you links as we talk, but here's the overview.She was widowed fifteen years ago, and her husband—who was some sort of financial big-wig—left her everything, which was considerable.She continued working but didn't need to.No children, no close family."
"Enemies?"
"Not that I can find.Everyone I'm seeing online describes her as pleasant and professional.A little reserved, maybe, but not controversial.I mean, I can’t even dig up any negative news articles or legitimate social media beefs with her.I did, however, came across a small blip.The crime scene photos showed that the killer had sort of staged her jewelry, right?”
“Yeah,” Miles said.