“All I want to do is see the yearbooks,” Eve said patiently. “I’ll be glad to give you references with the Atlanta PD and several other law-enforcement organizations in California. I’ve no desire to pose a threat to any of these students.”
Josie Coultan was still not convinced. “I don’t know that.” She took the card that Eve handed her and gazed at it suspiciously. “And anyone could have cards made up.”
“Absolutely right,” Eve said. “And I applaud you for being careful.” It was the truth. This woman was completely different from that first photographer they’d run across in Sacramento, but they evidently had similar values. But she wished she wouldn’t be quite this careful. Josie Coultan’s photography studio was the third one she and Margaret had visited this afternoon, and she felt as if time was running out. “Just call Sheriff Nalchek, and we’ll wait until you’re satisfied.” She got to her feet and moved to look at the photos on the wall. “These wedding photos are amazing, Ms. Coultan.”
“Josie. My specialty. I just do the school photos to add to my income.” She frowned as she started to dial the number. “But you have to be careful with kids. I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble. You have parents thinking that I didn’t do justice to their darlings, you have divorced couples who battle who is going to pay me.”
“That’s not what we’re looking for. We’re trying to find a child who didn’t want to have her picture taken.”
“Oh, there aren’t many of those. When? How old?”
“We’re thinking ten, eleven,” Margaret said as she knelt to stroke the white Persian cat sitting on a turquoise pillow on the low table. “This boy is amazing. What do you call him?”
“Royal. I’ve had him for four years.”
“You need to change his diet. He doesn’t like that new cat food you’re giving him. He’s been losing weight.”
“What?”
“Weigh him. Your husband feeds him, doesn’t he? He’s not been paying attention, and Royal is getting very pissed.”
“What are you—”
Eve stepped in quickly. “Margaret volunteers with a local vet office.” Lord, all they needed was to have Margaret start a family feud. “She has a good eye, doesn’t she?”
“Perhaps.” Josie spoke into the phone. “Sheriff Nalchek, I have two women here who gave you as a reference. Will you confirm that it’s…”
“And he hates the name Royal,” Margaret said in a low voice to Eve. “He thinks it’s pretentious. He doesn’t need that nonsense.”
“Do me a favor and let Royal handle his own dietary needs.”
“Don’t worry, he intends to do that. I just thought I’d hurry things along. He was going to start a hunger strike to scare them tomorrow.”
“Sheriff Nalchek informs me that you’re no threat,” Josie said behind them as she hung up the phone. “I’ll get those yearbooks. I did the work at four area schools during the past five years. I always request a complimentary copy of the actual book. I’ll go get them for you.” She got to her feet and headed for a door that led to the back of the shop.
“Like pulling teeth,” Margaret murmured.
“At least she’s cooperating now,” Eve said. “We’ll split up the books to get through them faster.” She turned with a smile as the photographer returned burdened by the yearbooks. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.” She took two of the books and handed two to Margaret. “But I wonder if we might hurry things along if I showed you a photo that was in the paper this morning. It could trigger your memory.” She handed her the folded newspaper. “It’s a reconstruction I worked on several days ago.”
Josie glanced at the photo. “I saw this photo this morning. I was thinking how appalling the photography was. I could have done much better.”
“But you didn’t recognize the child.”
“I didn’t pay much attention. You see one kid, you see them all.”
“Really?”
She made a face. “I suppose I shouldn’t say that? But I’m so sick of having to do those photos. Every one is the same. No grace, no glamour, like a wedding photo.”