Page 57 of Asher's Assignment

“What about weight and build?”

“He’s fit. He runs marathons. I’m not sure about weight. Maybe one-eighty? One-ninety?”

“Okay, what about his clothing? What was he wearing?”

Esther chuckled softly, remembering how he looked when she last saw him. She waved a hand. “Sorry. To help me celebrate my student’s birthday, Asher put on an inflatable unicorn costume. Leah loved it. The last time I saw him, he was wearing that. Underneath, he had on khaki-colored jeans and a dark purple dress shirt.”

Detective Stroud wrote that down, then nodded. “All right. I’ll get a flyer made up. Make some calls and go visit?—”

The door swung inward, startling them both. Esther turned around to see Officer Weyland.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Detective, we just got a call about a shooting and a child abduction at Little Nicky’s Pizzeria.”

Esther’s blood ran cold. That was the restaurant Leah mentioned they were going to for dinner.

“Officers are on scene, and K-9 is en route,” Weyland continued.

“Witnesses?” Detective Stroud pushed back from his desk.

“Just an elderly couple on their way out of the building. Report from the scene says the shooting victim is critical. Medical just got there.”

“Okay. Tell the units on scene I’ll be there soon.”

Officer Weyland nodded once, then ducked out of the room.

“Miss Campbell, I’m sorry, but I need to go. I promise?—”

Esther stood. “I think the cases are connected.”

Stroud paused and frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“Asher and the incident at Little Nicky’s. My student—Leah—she said her family was going to Little Nicky’s for dinner for her birthday.”

His gaze sharpened. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. She was so excited about it, I could hardly keep her on task. She hasn’t been to a restaurant in years, Detective. Years. I heard all about their plans. More than once.”

He stared at her for a beat. “Okay. On the off-chance you’re right, I want you close by to answer questions.” He rounded the desk and ushered her toward the door. “You’re coming along.”

Twenty-Five

Esther’s heart lurched into her throat as Detective Stroud turned the corner near Little Nicky’s. An ambulance turned out of the lot, the siren coming on as it hit the road. Stroud pulled to the side to let it pass. Esther’s gaze followed it, wondering who was inside. Whoever it was must be truly critical. The paramedics hadn’t been on scene long.

The car bumped over potholes as Stroud took his foot off the brake and rolled forward again. Red and blue strobe lights pulsed through the night, giving the scene an eerie vibe that did nothing to settle her heart back where it belonged.

Stroud pulled up behind a county cruiser and cut the engine. “You stay with me. Hopefully, you’re wrong, and I can have a uniform take you back to the station to get your car.”

“I’m not wrong.” Though she prayed she was. Unbuckling, she followed him out of the vehicle.

They ducked under the crime scene tape. Esther stayed glued to Stroud’s side, not wanting to get in anyone’s way or contaminate the scene. He led her to a uniformed officer near the front of the building. The man was hunched over, speaking to someone she couldn’t see.

“Meigs.”

The man glanced over his shoulder, then straightened. Esther let out a gasp as she caught sight of the person hidden behind him. While she’d never seen the woman in person, she’d seen pictures. Connie Tyler, with her white-blonde hair and high cheekbones, was striking, and recognizable even with her tear-stained, puffy face.

Stroud glanced at Esther. “What?”

“I told you I wasn’t wrong. That’s Connie Tyler. My student’s mother.”

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