Page 20 of Whispers of Redemption

Hugo turned the phone back to face himself. “I have to get to work now, Ani. We just got a break on your sister’s case.”

“Okay!” Ani said. “Maybe we can talk later. And I’ll teach you how to use the funny face effects next time.”

“Great,” Hugo said with a grin. And they disconnected.

Wade was staring at him.

“What?”

“Video chatting? Really?”

“Hey, I may be a lot older than you, but Ani says I can still be hip!”

Wade closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Then turned back to the computer. “As I was saying, it looks like we got something.” He pointed at the screen. “A black Ford F-150 with license plate GW3-45B is registered as a company vehicle for CRB Tool & Die here in Whispering Pines.”

“Great!” Hugo said. “Let’s go!”

CHAPTER 7

They parked the patrol car outside of the manufacturing company’s main entrance. It was a sprawling building with tall, faded brick walls. They walked beneath the portico to the front door that had a security pad beside it. There was a faint beep as Hugo pressed the intercom button.

A feminine voice came over the speaker. “Yes?”

“We’re officers Garcia and Riley from the Whispering Pines Police Department,” Hugo said. “We need to speak with the manager in charge of this facility.”

Seconds later, the door buzzed and they opened it, stepping inside the building reception area. The young woman who’d let them in sat behind a sleek, curved reception desk. A door behind her popped open to emit a rotund, perspiring man with wire-rimmed glasses. He had an anxious expression on his face as he hurried toward them. “Good afternoon, officers. I’m Jeff Greenway, the general manager. What can I help you with?”

Hugo said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Greenway. We’re investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday. We suspect that one of the vehicles involved was a black Ford pickup truck registered to your business.”

Wade watched the man closely. His eyes widened at Hugo’s words, and his jaw dropped slightly, telltale signs of legitimate surprise.

“We do have a black pickup truck,” Jeff said. “It’s parked out back. But as far as I know, nobody has driven it for weeks.”

“May we take a look at it?” Hugo asked.

“Certainly,” Jeff said. “Follow me.”

---