Page 24 of Deep Tide

“What are they doing back there?” Leyla asked as she followed Nicole into the kitchen.

“Just covering some bases. We think it’s possible we might have missed something.”

They’d missed something inside. Leyla’s heart thudded as she followed Nicole down the narrow hallway. A man in a white Tyvek suit was crouched in the doorway of the storage room near the back door. Emmet stood behind him, arms crossed, looking over the man’s head as another CSI looked on.

Leyla’s feet felt like cinder blocks as she made her way down the hallway. The door to the restroom stood open, as though they’d spent some time in there. But right now everyone was focused on the room across the hall.

“This storeroom is used for paper goods and cleaning supplies, that sort of thing?” Nicole asked.

“Yes.”

Emmet glanced up and stepped out of the way.

Leyla stopped beside the door. The photographer stood opposite a metal shelf filled with paper towels and jugs of cleaning solution. A mop and bucket sat in the corner, and black aprons with the Island Beanery logo hung from hooks along the wall.

“There are some interesting markings on the floor in this room,” Nicole told her. “Can you tell us whether this shelving unit is usually located here? Or does it look like it’s been moved recently?”

Leyla surveyed the tiny space, head spinning as she tried to process what they were asking. Her gaze fell on two dark streaks on the dusty tile floor.

“Yes. I think.”

“Yes, the shelf has been moved?” Nicole asked.

“It’s usually up against that corner there,” Leyla said. “It looks like someone slid it over a few feet.”

Nicole shot a glance at Emmet. Leyla turned to look at him.

“What—”

“Thank you,” Nicole said, cutting her off. “That’s all we need for now. Let’s clear out, so they have space to maneuver.”

Leyla stepped aside as the photographer moved into the hallway, leaving only the CSI with his evidence kit in the room. He closed the door with a click.

She looked at Emmet. “What is he—”

“Luminol.”

Leyla stared at him, absorbing the words. They were looking for blood. On the floor. Where the shelf had been moved.

“So... you think Amelia was attacked in here? Not outside, in the alley?”

“We don’t know,” he said.

“It’s something we’re checking into,” Nicole added. “Some new evidence has come to light.”

“What new evidence?”

No response. Nicole just watched her, stone-faced. Leyla looked at Emmet, but his expression was blank, too. Same for the photographer.

The door swung open, and the CSI stepped out. “Guys, we got it.”

“It lit up?” the photographer asked.

He nodded. “Like a neon sign.”

•••

It was after four by the time Nicole and Emmet made it back to the police station. The door to Brady’s office was closed and the bullpen was nearly empty. Looked like most of their uniformed officers were out on patrol.

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