Page 33 of Remember Her Name

“What kind of parking lot has recessed lights in the ground?”

Josie’s eyes were drawn to the white lines again. The shape of a T. Except maybe not a T. They were missing the larger picture because the killer only showed them what he wanted them to see. “It’s not a parking lot.”

If not a T shape, then what? Why the recessed lighting?

The glass. Something about the glass. Remote location. Outskirts of the city.

The Chief said, “If it’s not a parking lot, what is it?”

The veil in Josie’s memory fell away. “It’s a helipad.”

TWENTY-TWO

Josie’s shoulders knotted with tension when she saw the incoming call on her cell phone. Adjusting one of the shoulder straps of her bulletproof vest, she scanned the remote mountain road where over a dozen police vehicles were now parked. It was after twoa.m. Inky blackness closed in all around them. The only illumination came from headlights and Josie’s ringing cell phone. Once she had figured out where the photo was taken, she’d left a voicemail for the property owner. They couldn’t go in until Josie spoke with her. She just hoped that the woman would be up this late. While they waited for the return call, the Chief had assembled as many officers as he could and they’d formed a perimeter around the premises. Not easy considering this place was surrounded by forest. Still, they had to be careful and strategic in their approach in case the killer was still on-site or had set a trap for them. Josie strongly doubted anyone was living or staying in the house, but they had to find out.

Gretchen sauntered over and pointed to the phone. “Want me to take that?”

Honestly, Josie didn’t want to talk to Kim Rowland ever again, but she wasn’t going to let her personal feelings affect how she performed her job. She swiped answer.

Kim said, “Has my dad’s glass monstrosity finally burned down?”

Josie fought to keep the irritation out of her voice. The only residence in the city with a private helipad was the home of the late Peter Rowland. A Denton native, he had made a fortune developing state-of-the-art security and surveillance systems. He’d kept a home in Denton even though he rarely visited. When he died, his daughter inherited his empire. Kim was every bit the sociopath her father had been. Years ago, Kim had come to town to escape her mobster boyfriend, wreaking havoc wherever she went. Josie’s fiancé at the time, Luke, had had an affair with Kim after she convinced him to cover up a double homicide and hide her in his home. He’d destroyed his and Josie’s relationship as well as his career. Kim’s other machinations had threatened the life of the son of one of Josie’s best friends. He was a newborn at the time. The memory of plucking him from a freezing, rushing river—and certain death—still chilled Josie to the bone.

That was the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s still standing,” Josie told her. “But we might have a body on the premises. We need to search the property and for that, we need your permission.”

“Wow,” Kim said. “That will bring the property value down, won’t it?”

Naturally, she had no concern for the victim. She could have sold the property years ago but didn’t. Josie said, “Do we have your permission or not?”

There was a heavy sigh. “Fine. I don’t care.”

“Thank you. Is anyone living in the house?”

“No,” said Kim. “Who would want to live there?”

Josie ignored the question. “Is the security system active?”

“I think so. I can find out. I have a property management company that does upkeep and lawn care. Their people are only there once a month. That’s it.”

Depending on what they found, Josie would prepare a warrant for any surveillance footage available from the security system.

“Has the helipad been in use?” Josie asked. “We believe the lights around it may be on.”

Kim said, “No one has been using the pad, but the property management company has lights all over the property that are on timers. They go on at a certain time of night and off during the day. It’s supposed to deter people from messing with the place since it’s basically vacant.”

“Great, thanks.”

Before Josie could hang up, Kim said, “Do you still see Luke?”

Her tone was bland but the muscles in Josie’s shoulder blades pulled so taut, it was painful. Through gritted teeth, Josie said, “I have to go.”

She hung up before Kim could utter another word. Gretchen gave a low whistle. “Guess we’re lucky she decided to go to New York City instead of settling here.”

Josie adjusted her vest again and checked that her radio worked. “Let’s go.”

With Noah still at the stationhouse speaking to Remy Tate, and Turner at home—or under whatever rock he lived beneath—it was just the two of them and the uniformed officers. The ERT was also there, on standby, as well as an ambulance. Josie and Gretchen led the way down the long driveway, guns drawn, flashlights positioned under their pistols. Several pairs of uniformed officers followed. The driveway was paved but it curved in several places and seemed to go on for miles even though Josie knew it was not that long. It was darker here. The sounds of frogs trilling and crickets chirping was deafening. Every so often, the trees alongside the driveway gave way to small clearings. Flashlight beams swept over the strangesculptures displayed in them. Josie remembered thinking that the place had an almost Alice in Wonderland feel to it when she was last here.

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