Missing
10:38 AM - Saturday, November 1, 2014
US Park Police San Francisco Field Office, The Presidio
Back at the Park Police office, Paco was happy to see more of the team arriving, even if there were only 12 of them in total. He assigned phone, radio, and comms to Meg, an intern from SF State who usually came in on Saturdays. Baker was already out at the trail head, replacing him. Meg had been giving assignments to the team as they came in, sending them out to trailheads surrounding the spring.
“Meg, I’m sorry about this, but I need someone really solid right now. I know it’s kind of glorified reception, but it’s really important.” She smiled, just as the office phone rang.
“US Park Police?…Ah, okay great. Thank you Captain, we will have Officer Mayfield meet you there.” She hung up. “That was the SFPD Captain - he’s briefed his team and they’re on their way. Most are plain-clothes as they came in on their day off, but a few uniforms too. He said they have maybe 20 on the way? He said they’d meet you at the Julius Khan Playground parking area on West Pacific.”
“Twenty?” Paco’s brows went up. “Better than ten I suppose. That’s great news. I also called an Agent Greenberg at the FBI - I told him to do what he could, if he could get some people. Did you hear anything from forensics or ISB?”
“Nothing from Investigative Services Branch, no, but Doug McGuinness is coming in from Marin on forensics. Apparently the signage out at Rodeo Beach was vandalized last night, so he went to do an assessment and fingerprinting. He’ll be here within the hour.”
“Okay good. He knows where to go?”
“Yes.”
“Great. And what about the medical examiner?”
“The coroner is through the city, and since this isn’t a city case they said they had to give priority to a few others first.”
“Jesus. We have a dead girl in a pool of running water!” Meg flinched. “I’m sorry. I’m just incredibly frustrated.” Paco heaved a deep sigh and tried to re-group. “Okay. I’ll talk to SFPD and see if they can do anything. And…maybe call in an order for sandwiches from some place? Don’t take orders, it will get crazy, but just order…”
“…like 10 ham and Swiss, 10 turkey havarti, 10 roast beef cheddar…” Meg made notes, “and chips and drinks?”
“Yes. Thank you. And set it up in the conference room.” She smiled. “And cookies!” He added. She chuckled a little. “And, thank you again Meg. I am really glad I have someone who can hold this down.”
“I’m not an officer, so it’s perfect! Happy to help.” She said tilting her head at him. The phone rang again. “US Park Police?” Meg suddenly got quiet. “Yes ma’am, and can you give me your full name and spell it for me please?….And your daughter’s name and age?….17. Thank you, and your address? 3-4-1 Infantry Terrace. Okay thank you, I’ll send an officer over as soon as possible. Oh, I’d estimate it may be at least an hour or two, unfortunately, we have a limited staff today.” Meg looked up at Paco while she said this, trying to buy him time. “I’ll try to make it happen sooner though. Thank you ma’am.” Meg took a long exhale and looked at Paco with worried eyes. “That was Carole Thomas - her daughter Alexa didn’t come home last night and she wants to file a missing person’s report.”