They were gathered in the living room, chairs from the kitchen carried in to supplement the seating. I left Chief Rivera in the vestibule and went in search of Olga. Maria Elena met me in the hall, balancing a tray of drinks and a bowl of cookies “Word travels fast, doesn’t it?” I said to her. Her eyes flew to the ceiling and she blew a puff of air into her bangs, ruffling the wisps of hair on her forehead. “Where is Mrs. Buckley?” I asked. “Upstairs. She is packing.” “Packing? Why?” “She goes to get the money.” “Hello, Jessica,” Sarah said, coming into the hall where Maria Elena and I were talking. She lifted the tray from Maria Elena’s arms. “I’ll take that in,” she said. “After all, we’re here to help.” “Have you heard from the kidnappers?” I asked Maria Elena in a low voice after Sarah had returned to the living room. The housekeeper shook her head. “How did all these people find out?” “From the papers.” “The newspaper?” She nodded.
