Darn....I'm going back to my first instinct. NiFong is protecting someone from "blackmail". Where's the police chief? Since when do they leave town during a big case. These are HIS cops that will be under scrutiny!!
My first thoughts as well. No one protects a sex worker with the zeal that Mr. Nifong has exerted, unless there is a reason. Someone mentioned up thread that the family stated that they haven't seen the AV or the grandbabies for 3 weeks. She's either hiding from her pimp, social services, or perhaps both.