Good Kid
Previously: A Xavier Prep jacket is found in a garbage can along with an array of empty airline vodka bottles left at Inspiration Point. Jeannie, Mark & Paco visit Carole & Spiro Thomas, who file a missing person’s report about their daughter, Alexa, who left on Halloween night and hasn’t made it home since.
1:29 PM - Saturday, November 1, 2014
The Thomas Residence, 341 Infantry Terrace, The Presidio
No one spoke until they got into the SUV. Even then, all three took a few deep breaths.
“It’s her, isn’t it?” Mark asked quietly. Jeannie was the only one who had received the photos.
“Oh my God, Paco, please start the car. They can still see us out here.” She pleaded from the back seat. He immediately turned the ignition and steered the car away from the curb. Jeannie took a deep breath, and sent the photos on to Mark and Paco. “It’s either her or someone else dressed like Effie Trinket - when she said that I remembered the wig. When she sent the photos and I almost threw up.” Mark opened the images and held them up for Paco; Jeannie could feel the dread growing inside the car.
“Pretty girl.” Paco offered quietly. Jeannie had to agree. Her school photo showed a lovely girl with rich brown spiral curls, hazel eyes, and a golden-olive complexion. She had a broad smile and a dimple on one cheek. Her costume photo with Ryan revealed her to be tall and leggy, and full of humor with the face she was making.
“Can someone…can you tell me what an Effie Trinket is?” Mark asked sheepishly. “Unless you know, Paco?”
“I’m as lost as you are.” Paco chuckled.
“Sure.” Jeannie started an image search on her phone. “She’s a character in The Hunger Games — in the movie she’s played by Elizabeth Banks. She wears this one costume that’s like weird and sculptural and covered in butterflies1.” Finding the image, she held it up for Mark who narrowed his eyes. “That’s the dress Alexa Thomas supposedly remade.”
“Well, the hair looks right.” Mark started, breathing deeply. “Okay. That’s actually kind of cool. But…” He stopped for a long beat, turning to look out the window. “We haven’t received photos from McGuinness or the Coroner yet, so we still aren’t certain.” He stopped again. “Think there’s anything about the character we should consider?”
“You mean like, profiling?” Jeannie asked. “I mean, I haven’t seen it or read the books, but I think that’s a stretch. It’s a dystopian sci-fi series and she’s kind of a tertiary character from what I know. I think Alexa chose it just because of the design. I mean, it’s pretty easy to do a flapper or a witch, but this would be a challenge to someone learning to sew.”
“I get it. What do you think about the ring - the the initial doesn’t line up.”
“It does.” Jeannie said. “Spiro Thomas said her mother’s name was Daniella. It could be her mother’s ring.” She heard Mark huff.
“That’s plausible.” Mark admitted. “Let’s follow up this Ryan Dominguez and see if he has any ideas.” Jeannie nodded, not realizing he couldn’t see her without turning around. In her head, she kept seeing the cute photo of Alexa and Ryan in their costumes, posing together.
“Jeannie?” Mark asked.
“Yes. Ah…yes, let me make a quick call.” She said. Without destination, Paco slowly rolled around the circle of houses and down the hill toward the Main Post.
Jeannie dialed the number and put the call on speaker.
“Jeannie Hagen? Is that really you?” An older man’s voice called out.
“Hi Eddie, yes it’s me. Happy Saturday.”
“Happy Saturday! To what do I owe the honor?”
“Well, I’m calling you in an official capacity, sir.” She began, reverting to an officer’s decorum. “I’m here with Officer Mayfield of the US Park Police and Special Agent Greenberg of the FBI. The Captain put me on special assignment with them — we’re following up on a missing teen that lives in the Presidio but goes to UHS. The Captain thought I could help.”
“What can I do?”
“Well, we spoke to the teen’s parents and she was apparently close with one of yours - a Ryan Dominguez? He also lives in the Presidio with his mom, attends public school?” They heard typing. “Is there any context you can provide?” A few quiet moments went by.
“Ah, Dominguez, Ryan…yes. Good kid, got arrested on a car jacking charge about 18 months ago.”
“Car jacking?” Jeannie was surprised. Carjacking is a felony with a big fine and prison sentence.
“Yeah. He has an elder brother who’s a bit of a wanna-be kingpin out in the Excelsior. He’s 22 and had done some time with the Youth Authority, and then he really got into the life. He’s been in and out ever since, his latest stint on a charge of armed robbery. He was out of Folsom 6 weeks when he put Ryan into service, made him drive the get-away car while he and a buddy held drivers up at gunpoint and made off with their stuff. Apparently he found out the young kid was gay and thought he’d toughen him up by getting him into the family business.”
“Jesus.” Jeannie said.
“As you know, with a macho culture like that, a gay kid can have a rough time of it. Ryan had been beaten when we processed him. Beaten badly. He wouldn’t say who did it, but I can guess.”
“Yeah. So what was his sentencing?”
“He did 10 days in Juvenile Hall and he’s been on probation since he got out. Jury gave him an easier time, considering. Probation ends when he turns 18, which will be in February.”
“So, how is he doing?”
“Very well. Goes to Galileo, pulling a high B average with a few A-minuses. Never misses a shift at work. Home before curfew every night. His mother is on top of things. They moved over there last year to get out of the old neighborhood.” Jeannie sighed.
“Okay, that’s good to know. When is the brother out again?”
“Not for a while. That was a third strike, so he’s doing proper time. It’s good for Ryan and his mother.”
“Okay. Thank you, sir. We’re heading to Rose’s now to chat with him.” Jeannie reached forward, indicating that Paco should take a right turn, and then whispered “Lombard Gate” to him.
“Fine. He’s a good kid, Jeannie. I’d hate to see him getting off track.”
“I know.” She said resignedly. “I don’t think this is about him, but apparently the missing girl was one of his best friends.”
“That’s too bad. He needs nice friends.”
“Thank you sir. I’ll be in touch.”
“Alright Jeannie - give my best to the judge.”
“I will sir, thank you.” She hung up. The car was quiet again as Paco meandered toward the Lombard gate. It was silent for a few moments.
“I’m beginning to see why the Captain put you forward on this case.” Mark said. Jeannie sat back and said nothing. “Who was that?”
“That’s Ed Ganey. San Francisco’s Chief Probation Officer.” Jeannie saw Paco and Mark glance at each other, side eye. She could only imagine what they were thinking.
“And you just happen to have him in your phone?” Mark asked.
“He’s a family friend.”
“Ah.” Mark waited, “And, um…who is “The Judge”?” Jeannie took a deep breath.
“Um, the Judge is my father, The Honorable Peter Hagen.” She said it like she was reading a fancy wedding invitation, and wasn’t sure why. “He used to head the juvenile court. He’s retired now.” She also didn’t know why these statements sounded like questions. “He’s, um, he’s unwell. He has full-time care.” She took a deep breath, her throat tight. “He, he had a stroke in March. He’d had a small one before, but this one was…” She didn’t know how to finish. She got quiet. “I moved in about 4 months ago to kind of keep an eye on things.” Mark turned to her from the front seat.
“I’m sorry.” He offered.
“Me too.” Paco said, making eye contact through the rearview mirror.
“Thank you. No one at the department knows. Please don’t say anything.” She whispered, her face stoney. Mark met her eyes and nodded. She was totally unused to anyone asking about her family, because everyone usually knew about her father and brothers before they ever met her. Jeannie had no idea why she told them, but realized quickly it was probably because Paco and Mark knew nothing about her at all, and that made them more trustworthy somehow.
It was weird to be an unknown. It was nice too.
The Butterfly Dress worn by Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was created by Alexander McQueen for the spring 2011 collection. The butterflies were hand-painted feathers. A butterfly headband and butterfly makeup (including body applications) completed the look.
