"We brought the photos to help explain to you why Mr. Trammel might want to kidnap his daughter. It's 'cause she was on to his past, and had gone poking him about it. We think he kidnapped his daughter because the last contact we had with her was four days ago, just before she visited his house. We called after her, and he told us she'd taken a cab away. We called the cab company, and you know what they said? They never sent a cab there. Now, in the past four days, I've tracked down her brother, who says that this is absolutely in character for Mr. Trammel, and that he's seen things in his time living with his foster father that'd make your blood curdle in its veins. Lest you think it's some specific vendetta against their father, I'll have you know that I've also spoken to multiple other eyewitnesses of this cult's activities. I'd see all that is worth at least one look around the house for some skeletons in the closet, don't you think?"

"Miss Silverstring, are you sure you haven't overextended yourself lately?"

........

"Talking about cults and so on... you have to understand that these are absurd accusations to make against an upstanding pillar of the community like Mr. Trammel. He is a Presbyterian. Attends church every week." Mr. Page laughs. "Are you saying that he is part of some kind of Satanic cult? That Mr. Trammel performs, what, Black Masses?" 

"You know, sir, I've found that God doesn't strike the wicked down for daring to set foot in his establishments. Here's the thing, though, I know it's very hard to believe, and I certainly know that it isn't worth bringing charges against it. All I'm saying is that it's worth a look, while our friend is missing, and while we know her father's lied about it. Could be we have the whole thing mixed up, and Mr. Trammel's keeping her with him to keep her from getting the press in a tizzy about something that isn't what it appears to be. All I'm saying is that it's worth looking there to see whether Lacie's still in the building. You got your motive, you got your means, you got your opportunity, I don't see how anyone can argue with that. And if Mr. Trammel's as cool-headed as you say, I figure he'd be more than happy to help with an investigation into the whereabouts of his daughter, and very pleased to immediately be free of all suspicion himself."

"Why don't I give Mr. Trammel a call? And we can sort this whole thing out."

"Well, maybe because the last time we did he told us a lie, and we'd rather not tip him off about this before the police have searched the premises, yeah? Rather make sure all of those skeletons are intact."

"Perhaps Lacie just doesn't want to speak to you." He looks at the three of them. "Perhaps she has realized that she would rather spend time with people of... her own background."

"I'd say that includes her brother, wouldn't you? He about panicked when he heard. Came all the way down from New York."

The detective spreads his hands. "Family disagreements are not a matter for the LAPD."

"I was under the impression that false imprisonment, torture, and murder were."

"False accusations are," he says calmly, "but perhaps not in the way you would hope."

"The only thing that I have accused Mr. Trammel of is of lying about the taxi. Everything else, I just think he's the number one suspect in our friend's disappearance. You're supposed to go to the police when people disappear, right, because I'd thought that that was procedure, and you're supposed to avoid making assumptions that it wasn't their family that did it. That's all I'm trying to do, here, following the evidence where it takes me. All I'm asking from you is whether a little more evidence can be obtained. Put us on the right track."

Guys Please They Should Really Just Cut Their Losses And Leave

When You Are This Deep In A Hole Stop Digging

no sorry anemone is mad now even though she's aware that this is stupid

"I have a word of advice for you, Miss Silverstring. Go home. Hug your husband and your children. Set this aside. Nothing good will come of you poking into Mr. Trammel's business. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do."

He picks up a folder and begins to leaf through it.

"All right. Thank you very much for your time, Detective."

Once they're out the door: "Let's go find Walt."

"Wow. I did not have high expectations and somehow that managed to be worse anyway."

"Likewise."

Kriss is grabbed.

"What happened?"

"Sorry to tell you, you were wrong about your boss."

"They did not help, at all, threatened to charge us with false accusations, and informed us that Samson Trammel is a Presbyterian who attends church every Sunday and a pillar of the community."

"Said the photos were doctored. They're not, by the way, I know a doctored photo when I see one."

He grimaces. "I believe you, Miss Silverstring."