“I told you I did. Which journalist did you place first on the list?”
“Terry Brandell. She writes a weekly column and has national syndication. But she’s very popular in California and Oregon. She’s helped me out before a couple times.” He closed the box. “Though never with anything quite like this. She’s more into tough, investigative police work than lost and found.”
“This is definitely investigative police work.”
“But that face is … wrenching. Children always evoke an emotional response. She prefers the cool, analytical approach.”
“No, there’s nothing cool and analytical about anything to do with Jenny.” She moved toward the bed and gave Joe a quick kiss. “I’ll call you.” She headed for the door. “Let’s get this over with, Nalchek. The sooner your reporter gets Jenny’s face in her column the better.”
*
“I suppose Nalchek told you that this kind of curiosity/human-interest stuff isn’t really my cup of tea?” Terry Brandell asked as she looked down at the box. “I’m surprised he brought this skull to me.”
“He said you would give it the greatest amount of coverage,” Eve said bluntly. “And this reconstruction is not a curiosity. It’s a little girl who was murdered and needs the justice she never had. If you think that’s a human-interest story, then we disagree. Personally, I believe it’s a terrible tragedy that deserves being exposed and rectified. If you’re willing to do that, then we’ve come to the right place. If not, say it now, and we’ll find someone else. I have no intention of begging you to do the right thing.”
The journalist blinked. “I can see that.” She glanced at Nalchek. “And I like her honesty. When you called me, I did a little research, and when I checked her credentials, I was thinking of doing an interview. How about a trade?”
“No,” Eve said. “I’m not the story. This little girl is the story, and I won’t have her cheated or overshadowed.”
“You heard the lady.” Nalchek was smiling. “I’m open for a deal on future information for your articles, but this one is off the table, Terry.”
“Interesting.” She tilted her head. “Particularly since this isn’t exactly what I’d think you’d be involved in, Nalchek.”
“Yes or no,” Eve said. “I don’t know how much time we have.”
“You can’t convince me there’s a hurry. She’s been dead eight years.”
Eve didn’t answer.
“Or are there new breaks in the case?”
“How can there be?” Nalchek asked. “We don’t know who she is. That’s how you’re going to help us.”
“Maybe.”
Eve shook her head. “Yes or no.”
Terry shrugged. “Yes. Why not? I always like to have Nalchek owe me.” She reached for the box. “Show me the kid.”
Eve opened the box and carefully drew out the reconstruction. She put it on the desk in front of the journalist.
Terry Brandell studied the skull. “Very unusual. Are you sure that you didn’t indulge your creativity a bit on this one, Ms. Duncan?”
“I’m sure,” Eve said. “When you locate a photo of her, I’d bet that the similarity will be very close, Ms. Brandell.”
“Terry. If we locate a photo.” Terry’s gaze was fixed on Jenny’s delicate features. “But if someone has seen her, it’s likely she would be remembered.”
“That’s what we thought,” Eve said. “How soon can you publish the photo?”
“A few days.”
Eve shook her head.
Terry Brandell grimaced. “Pushy. Very pushy.” She turned to Nalchek. “Tomorrow. Give me an hour to get my photographer on it.” She added brusquely, “And I want an exclusive if you come up with the kid’s killer.”
“Done,” Nalchek said.
“And you can come back later today to pick up the reconstruction.”
“No, we’ll wait,” Eve said. “She’s not going to be out of my sight until you’ve taken those photos. Things sometimes get … misplaced.”