Page 87 of Solid as Steele
“If you’re calling for results on the algorithms on Leach and Tovar, they’re still running.”
“Actually, I’m calling because we could use your help again. Owen’s here with me, so I’m going to put you on speaker if that’s okay.”
“Go ahead.”
She tapped the speaker button and then updated Nick on the investigation. “I don’t remember the name of the program, but it’s where you analyze a suspect’s recording to see if he’s lying.”
“Voice Stress Analyzer or VSA,” Nick said.
“Yeah, that’s it. We’d like to have you review a recent interview to determine if our suspect is lying.”
Silence lingered on the phone for a moment. “I can do it, but the accuracy isn’t something that would hold up in court.”
“How does it work?” Owen asked.
“The human voice has micro tremors—tiny frequency modulations—in it. When the suspect lies, the involuntary nervous system causes an inaudible increase in micro tremor frequency. A VSA program can detect and quantify changes in the voice frequency.”
“But it’s not accurate?” Owen asked.
“Studies have called the accuracy into question. The real value of the program is to be able to tell a suspect that a computer will analyze their voice in the answers they give. This causes them to be more truthful. It’s called the bogus pipeline effect, which basically says people might give truer responses when they fear getting caught in the act of lying.”
“And that works?” Mackenzie asked.
“Not all the time, but yes. It works.”
“Since we’ve already done the interview can you review it, and then we can tell him it was done and that we know he was lying?”
“Of course. It can work that way too. But again, not always.”
“Do you think it’s worth the time to do it?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to ask, but is this something you could do quickly and not charge us the going rate?” Mackenzie asked.
“I can have one of my techs run it, and that will minimize the cost.”
“Thanks, Nick. I’ll email the audio file as soon as we end the call.”
“I’ll be waiting for it.”
Mackenzie disconnected the call and looked at Owen. “AirDrop me Tovar’s interview file, and I’ll email it to Nick.”
Owen got out his phone and transferred the file. She quickly sent the message and waited for him to confirm receipt. Before he could, Tovar’s red rig drove past.
“Show time,” Owen said and pulled onto the road behind their suspect.
Mackenzie stowed her phone, forgetting all about the recording and pointing her full attention on their suspect. Maybe tailing him would bring the lead they needed.
Owen hung back, especially slowing on the winding curves. “Looks like he’s heading for home.”
Owen had looked up Tovar’s address after the shooting. The two-acre property was located about ten miles from the casting company. Mackenzie hadn’t seen the images, and he wanted her to be familiar with the layout.
He glanced at her. “You should take a look at Tovar’s property in a map program in case we go in.”
“Will do.” She got out her phone, the light glowing on her face in the dimness of his pickup.
“Wide open area,” she said, but Owen already knew that. “No place to take cover like we did while we waited for him. But there’s a stand of trees we can take cover behind about a half mile before we get there and then hike in closer to his place.”
