Thirty-Two
After seeing Rowley off with the promise of following as soon as possible, Jenna pulled Kane to one side. “I’ll leave Rio to observe Wolfe. If he has a near perfect recall like he says, he’ll be taking in the entire scene and can apply it to our investigation at will. I’ve seen all I need to see and Wolfe doesn’t need our help. I figure we canvas the area while things are fresh in people’s minds. The lights are on in many homes and I can see people watching us through windows.”
“Okay.” Kane followed her from the house. “I’ll be interested to see what Wolfe finds in the autopsy. At first, I thought this might be a copycat killer but when Wolfe mentioned the briefs, well we’ve never mentioned that detail to the press, have we?”
“No, we haven’t.” Jenna stopped walking and turned to him. “Even with the blood and all, that’s Becky Powell. I recognize her and as soon as we’ve finished here, we’ll have to track down her parents and give them the bad news.” She shook her head slowly. “They won’t even know anything is wrong. If she was out on a date, they might not be worrying just yet.”
&
nbsp; “You know they’ll want to rush to the morgue and see her tonight.” Kane kneaded his shoulder and stared into the street. “It’s as if they don’t want them to be alone. It’s heartbreaking to tell them they have to wait.”
Jenna started to walk again. “Maybe but when they see her, she won’t be covered in blood. That’s not a memory any loved one should have to suffer.”
“Trust me, I know.” Kane pulled out a notebook and pen. “Let’s get this over with.”
They spoke to everyone along one side of the road and down the other and pulled blanks on the two homes opposite. Both families had just gotten home from the festival and had only seen the arrival of the paramedics. They crossed the road and went to the neighbor. Jenna rang the bell and the door opened at once. “Good evening, I’m Sheriff Alton and this is Deputy Kane, we’re investigating an incident next door. Did you hear anything unusual or see any unfamiliar vehicles parked close by this evening?”
“Well it happens I did.” A woman in her late sixties pointed at a tree opposite. “There was a silver GMC truck parked under that tree. It was there for about three hours and left just after Deputy Rowley arrived home.” She looked at Jenna and lifted one shoulder. “Not that I’m a busybody, but I went outside to walk the dog and noticed the vehicle. Now I know the people across the road all went to the festival this evening, so the truck wasn’t a visitor. I was suspicious and kept my eye on it to see if anyone was loading it up with stolen property.”
Jenna exchanged a look with Kane and nodded. “That was very thoughtful of you. Did you see anyone or hear anything?”
“Well, I thought so, maybe someone running on the gravel pathway between my house and the one next door. I looked out but couldn’t see anything with the trees and all.” She paused a beat. “I watched out the window and just before eleven, Deputy Rowley arrived in his SUV. I know he’d moved out, so I thought that was strange. I heard him calling out for Sandy and figured she must be working inside so I didn’t worry too much. It was just after that I noticed the GMC had gone. It crept away without a sound.” She pulled a face. “That’s all I can tell you. I didn’t see anyone at all, I’m sorry.”
“Are you sure it was a silver GMC truck?” Kane tilted his head to look at her.
“I sure am.” She smiled at him. “My son has one and it’s just the same but he lives in Blackwater.”
“And he had no reason to be here in town tonight?” Jenna watched the woman’s reaction. “Does he visit you often?”
“My son is an ER nurse and was working last night.” She sighed. “He tries to get to see me but his work keeps him busy. He’s either working or sleeping lately.”
Jenna nodded. “Yes, they work very hard.”
“What happened next door? I saw Sandy being taken away in an ambulance, is she going to be okay?”
“I hope so.” Jenna pushed a hand through her hair. “We’re trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her.”
“I’ve written down what you’ve told us in a statement.” Kane handed the woman his statement book. “Could you please read it through and sign it? Please print your name and contact details here.” He pointed to the document.
The woman complied and Jenna smiled at her. “Thank you for your assistance.” She handed her a card. “If you think of anything else, or that truck comes back, write down the license plate if you can but don’t go near it, call me immediately.”
“Sure.” The woman looked at the card. “I’m glad I could help.”
Dreading her next assignment, Jenna made her way back to the house and they both suited up again. Rio was doing a search of the ground floor and she went up to him. “Anything to report?”
“A few things, there are scuff marks on the floor in a number of places and Webber found traces of DNA at the bottom of the stairs and in the hallway outside the front bedroom. I figure they’re from a struggle as I recall Rowley telling me Sandy had come here specifically to make sure the floors were spotless.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure why, my brother and sister will have them scuffed the moment they walk inside.”
Taken aback, Jenna stared at him. “Do you still want to move in here, even after a murder?”
“Sure.” Rio met her gaze. “People die in houses all the time. I know it’s a crime scene but once you’ve released it and the cleaners have been inside, I don’t have a problem.” He raised both eyebrows. “I don’t believe in ghosts and I gather the locked door from the kitchen leads to accommodation for a live-in housekeeper? That would be perfect, if I can find one to live here.”
Jenna had thought she might have to sell the house and buy another to replace it. Rio’s news was a relief. “Well then, that’s fine and Maggie has a list of suitable housekeepers you can interview. By the way it’s in your employment contract, that as this is the sheriff department’s property, you’ll only have to pay the utilities and there’s provision made for a housekeeper.”
“Why do you figure I took the job?” Rio smiled. “Trying to get by and care for the twins has been a nightmare.”
Jenna checked her watch. “It’s getting late. Once Wolfe has processed the crime scene you’d better get on home.”
“You’ll need an officer on duty to guard the scene.” Rio looked concerned. “In case the killer comes back to contaminate the crime scene.”