Page 90 of The Last Close Call

She topped off her drink again and returned to her chair.

“You know, the media made the link between WCR and the recent homicide in San Antonio,” Rowan said. “They’ve reported that the investigation is active again, but they haven’t reported what generated the new lead for police.” She watched Joy’s reaction. “The press isn’t aware that investigators are using genetic genealogy, and I happen to know that that information is very closely guarded.”

Joy’s face remained blank, and Rowan couldn’t tell whether Joy believed her.

“That fact may never come out,” Rowan continued, hoping to reassure her. “Even after they apprehend him, it may never become public where the break in the case came from. Especially if investigators have loads of other evidence pointing to his guilt by that time.”

“If they apprehend him.”

Rowan’s stomach knotted tighter. “You don’t think they will?”

“One thing I’ve discovered about my adult son is that he’s very clever. Very manipulative. It’s a trait he gets from both sides.” She crossed her arms. “And it’s apparent he’s been doing what he does for years now with total impunity, so he must be skilled at avoiding detection.”

“So, you don’t believe they’ll find him,” Rowan stated.

“Let’s just say I’m not holding my breath.”

***

Jack texted his location to the team and then settled back to wait. This parking lot was probably another long shot, but Jack was going on seven hours here, so he figured, what the hell? He’d already made three separate loops past every apartment complex in town.

His phone buzzed in the cup holder, and his pulse picked up when he saw Rowan’s number.

“Hey, there.”

“How’s the search going?” she asked, and just the sound of her voice improved his crappy mood.

“It’s going.”

She waited, probably hoping he’d elaborate, but he didn’t.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“Just leaving Joy’s house.”

“Oh yeah?” He checked his watch. It was after nine. “This late?”

“We were making progress on her family tree. Time kind of got away from us.”

Jack pictured Rowan in her little car, driving home in the freezing rain. He wished he could invite her over to his place to warm up by the fire. He’d never really used his fireplace, but Rowan would be a good reason to start.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“San Marcos.”

“Still?”

“Yeah, things are dragging. I booked a room at the Lone Star Motor Lodge.”

“Wow, sounds fancy.”

“Free Wi-Fi and breakfast.”

“So, are you there indefinitely?”

“Our team is, yeah. For the foreseeable future.” He leaned back in his seat and propped his feet on the Igloo cooler he’d brought. It felt good to talk to her, even if it wasn’t face-to-face. “We’re doing shifts in the surveillance van.”

“You must really believe he lives there.” She paused. “All based on one email? Couldn’t he have been traveling through town, just using the library?”

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