Free Death in the Haight by Ronald Tierney

where he’s staying?”
    â€œNo. He wouldn’t be happy that we are having this conversation. He was upset with whatever business he had with the police. He’s staying under a false name.”
    â€œHere in the city?” Rose asked.
    â€œNear enough,” Lang said. He looked at Thanh, who remained quiet. Thanh was there primarily as a witness in case things got out of hand.
    â€œYou have anything else? Any leads?”
    â€œNone. But when we know how the exchange goes down, I’ll get in touch with you.”
    â€œOkay,” Stern said. He related pretty much what Lang already knew from Gratelli’s phone call.
    Lang’s ears pricked up when Rose added a detail beyond what came from that secret conversation: “The room was rented with a cash card that belonged to Michael.”
    â€œA cash card?” Lang asked.
    â€œIt’s like a credit card, issued by a bank or credit card company. The difference is that there is cash on deposit of a certain amount and the card allows the holder to draw against that balance,” Thanh said. “It’s often used by students. The parents can put them on a monthly budget by depositing into that account, say, once a month.”
    â€œSo it was Michael’s card?” Lang asked.
    â€œMichael’s card. Michael’s computer searched the Internet and found the prostitute, ordered using his name. Michael’s DNA,” Stern said, fixing his eyes on Lang. It was a gotcha look. Guilty as charged.
    â€œFingerprints?”
    â€œNo,” Stern said. “Don’t need them. This is a no-brainer.”
    â€œDNA test?” Lang asked. “You were able to get something after all?”
    â€œMitochondrial,” Rose said.
    â€œThat means?” Lang said.
    â€œUses the Y chromosome,” Rose said. “The profile isn’t huge. We didn’t have to do a complete match. There is what’s called a short tandem repeat that matches with father and son. It’s quicker, but it’s a clear identification.”
    â€œHow did you get the father’s DNA?” Lang asked.
    â€œWe did when we first talked and we thought having DNA would be helpful in locating the boy,” Rose said. “He sent a hair sample.”
    â€œSo now it fries the boy?” Lang asked.
    â€œTruth cuts both ways,” Stern said in even tones. “So what we’re saying here, Mr. Lang, is that this is clearly not just a kidnapping investigation but a murder investigation, and in the interest of courtesy, we will have our DA talk to your employer, Mr. West, concerning the whereabouts of the Vanderveers and their full cooperation in this investigation.” He stood. “We thank you for your time.”
    If there were a coating of sarcasm in his voice, Lang still couldn’t pick it up. He looked at Rose.
    Rose responded by giving him a “the world is a crazy place” look.
    â€œWho was the prostitute working for? What service?”
    â€œEmpress Gardens Spa. Only there’s no empress, no gardens, and no spa. Just a website,” Rose said. He looked at Stern to see if he had crossed a line. Stern seemed calm enough.
    â€œThank you,” Lang said, standing up.
    â€œNo, thank you,” Stern said. “Just doing our job, right, Rose?”
    â€œExcuse me?” Rose asked.
    â€œOur job. Just doing our job,” Stern repeated. “Serving the public.”
    â€œI think I’m in the wrong movie,” Rose said.
    â€œToo late for tea?” Thanh asked.
    â€œAnother time,” Rose said.
    â€œIt was kind of you to offer,” Stern said to Thanh.
    â€œAre lobotomies popular again?” Thanh asked as the reception area door closed behind them.
    â€œThis isn’t good,” Lang said.
    â€œPretty clear, isn’t it?” Thanh said. “You get paid to find the son so the kid can spend the rest of his life in