Chapter 19
"Anything yet?" Afet asked as she anxiously paced the floor of Nora's room.
"Close," Nora said, her eyes glued on the computer screen.
"We've come very far," the fey tried to remain positive.
Afet turned to look at Arsenio, "We know their mother was born in New Orleans. The eldest daughter, Viola, was killed in a car accident."
"It wasn't a car accident," Arsenio rolled his eyes. "Zeus threw his lightning bolt at her while she was driving."
"You can't really write that in a police report," Afet shook her head.
"Okay, fine. Car accident."
"Now for the youngest," Afet looked over to Nora.
"Valentina," Nora said.
"Yes, yes," Arsenio nodded. "She's been missing."
"But I found her," Nora drummed her finger patiently as she waited for the screen to load. "She went missing right after her sister was killed. The last time she used her cards or cellphone was inside a cell phone store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin."
"How does that help us?" Arsenio looked at the screen.
"Because people are dumb," Nora muttered. "It's like they've never watched any spy movies. Valentina last used her card at 3:30 P.M inside the store. From the store surveillance camera you can see there was only one other customer in there around the same time."
Afet and Arsenio moved closer as Nora turned her screen around to show them the video.
"This lady right here," Nora pointed to a mother with a young child. "She was looking at a Niko camera and she left with a big bag. Around the same time the store authorized another payment."
"Valentina's?" Afet asked.
"Yep."
"What did she buy?"
"A burner cell phone."
"Now do you know that?" Arsenio asked.
"Because ten minutes after she left a new cell phone signal pinged off the nearest cell tower," Nora said. "And her purchase amount was the exact price for a burner cell phone. Tax included."
Arsenio and Afet looked at each other, a little hesitant to feel any breath of relief.
"The last thing you want to do if you want to vanish is use your debit card!" Nora shook her head. "Use cash people! It can't be traced!"
"Can we find her through the phone now?" Afet asked.
"I'm already on it," Nora said. "Valentina has been using the phone nonstop and she used the number to file for a new bank card. Violet Wakeman."
"She changed her identity," Arsenio said.
"Yes," Nora nodded. "But she sucks at staying hidden. I'm just waiting for her to use her card again so I can get her location."
"I'll tell Nico to stay ready."
"Wait, what? No, why him?" Nora frowned.
"You can't go after Valentina on your own," Arsenio frowned.
"Is she even dangerous?" Nora asked. "Why don't I go and talk to her? Explain to her what is happening here. Tell her who she is and why her sister was killed."
"And if he doesn't listen?"
"Then....." Nora shrugged. "Not much we can do about that. I will not aid you in kidnapping."
