Every morning when I get up, after the previous night’s imagination and thoughts being on overdrive with crazy scenarios that are fitting for a Harlan Coben thriller, I’m back to thinking this is less complicated than appears to be. That NG was attacked and taken away by unknown persons connected to her, (or not), and that this whole ransom business is a separate opportunistic hoax by a sophisticated scammer. Or, a deflection scheme by the person (s) involved. But at this time I lean to the former as I honestly don’t see a family member having the wherewithal nor the tech knowledge nor the means now while being under likely surveillance to carry out these untraceable ransom notes.
However, with each more straightforward scenario, there’s something else that throws a wrench into the operation…eg the missing church friend communication. Now if something did happen within the family, that’s a possibility I can see, we really don’t know the dynamics or personal issues, financial or otherwise.