Page 51
“It did. But all the doors to the car were open and the ocean is extremely powerful. They had suspicions but didn’t believe Gianna would be helpful. Once Richard’s body appeared, they considered the case closed.”
Nora had read the official reports, and Saul’s recollections agreed with them. “Did Gianna have any counseling after her injuries healed?”
Saul scowled. “No. I didn’t see the need for it. She adapted well to living with me. There were many nights when she cried for her parents but we got through it together. I lost my brother. She knew I was hurting, too.”
“You and your brother were close?”
“Very. We came from a poor background, but we were both determined to make something of ourselves. He was fascinated with computers and was one of the first to make headway in cordless computer hardware technology. He wanted to build a better mouse,” Saul said with a wry grin. “And he did. Several companies were exploring the option at that time and his company was one of them. If he’d lived, he would have seen the elements of a technology he’d created sold to an industry leader.”
Nora froze. “These elements were sold after he died?”
“Yes, Gianna got her share. Richard’s partner, Leo, knew full well that Richard was the engineering brain behind their success. He approached me first when he’d received an offer to buy the technology. Leo wanted Gianna to benefit.”
Nora frowned. “I read her father and Leo Berg had formed Berssina Tech, but the company dissolved after his death, correct?”
Saul shook his head. “No. Leo simply renamed it BergTech. They’re still a player in cordless innovations, and he continues to pay Gianna a portion of their profits.”
How did I miss that? Nora penciled a note to herself to look into BergTech. Could someone be tired of sharing profits?
“I didn’t know that either,” said Owen. “Gianna never told me about her income from them or from her father’s technology.”
“What is the relationship between you two?” Nora asked pointedly, looking from Saul to Owen. She had Saul pegged as an intelligent man, but Owen had yet to impress her. How had Owen stayed in Saul’s circle?
Saul looked surprised. “We’ve been golfing together for about ten years and have dinner occasionally when Owen is in town. I introduced Gianna to him years ago. I called him when I found out about Gianna’s accident. I knew he’d be concerned, and he was in LA on business.” He glanced at the younger man. “I thought Gianna would appreciate seeing supportive faces after her incident.”
Golf. A game Nora didn’t have the patience to try, but she knew it held a magic sway over a lot of men.
“You haven’t seen Gianna yet, correct?”
“That’s correct.” Saul’s expression indicated he was biting his tongue.
She glanced at her notes and decided to see if she could push his buttons. He’d answered her immediate questions, but now she felt like fishing. “I see you showed up on the doorstep of a friend of hers this morning.”
He stiffened the slightest bit. “I was concerned.”
“You tracked her daughter’s phone to locate them?” Nora gave him her best “what the fuck?” expression.
“Yes. And I’d do it again. My daughter had been through a harrowing experience, and I wanted to see her.”
Nora tilted her head a degree, holding his gaze, letting him know she was processing his answer. “Why didn’t you simply ask where they were when you talked to Gianna on the phone earlier?”
Annoyance flashed in his eyes. “I didn’t think of it.”
She reined it in, feeling guilty for enjoying his discomfort. “I understand wanting to make certain they were safe.”
He accepted her olive branch. “Yes,” he replied with a nod. “Is it possible to see a photo of the man they found in her cabin?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? What if it’s someone I know? Maybe I could solve your mystery in thirty seconds. It seems like a waste of time to not have me look.”
Owen perked up, clearly interested in a look at the dead man.
Nora seethed at his disrespect. “He’s been severely burned in the face. Recognizing him won’t be a simple task.”
“Do that reconstruction thing with a computer,” Owen offered with the wave of a hand. “Create a face for us.”
She stared at Owen. “This isn’t some movie. You think we have the resources for something like that? I don’t know if that even exists outside of books and TV. I’ll talk to the medical examiner and see what’s appropriate here, but unless you’re aware of some missing acquaintances, I think we’d both be wasting our time. Maybe you should make some calls and take a head count of your friends.” She gave him a toothy smile.
A quick glance at Saul revealed he hadn’t been impressed with Owen’s suggestion either. Saul met her gaze and raised one shoulder.
Nora knew she needed to meet with Gianna Trask again.
Gianna had thought long and hard before making the phone call, but she didn’t know where else to turn. She took a deep breath and heard Chris’s footsteps upstairs as he did a check of the house. She quickly dialed.
“You want me to do what?” Disbelief filled Lacey’s voice over the phone.
“Please, Lacey. I know it’s weird. But I don’t know who else I can ask,” Gianna pleaded quietly. “I left what you need in an envelope in my locker. It’s unlocked.”