Page 33 of Over the Edge

“I had that two hours ago.”

Cate arched an eyebrow. “You were at Starbucks at six in the morning?”

“I needed caffeine.”

“I rest my case about sleep. I’m assuming your insomnia is related to the Robertson case. Any new leads?”

“No.” He blew out a breath. “Nobody in the neighborhood or park saw anything. Hank didn’t find a single piece of evidence that would help identify the killer. None of the stolen jewelry has turned up at any of the usual fencing sites. I’m still waiting for the preliminary autopsy results. Lacey promised she’d have them today.”

“You think those will steer you to someone?”

“Every piece of information helps.” Jack took a sip of his desperation brew. Grimaced.

“Speaking of information ... I was talking to one of the property guys this morning. Your witness’s name came up.”

“Lindsey Barnes?”

“That would be her—unless there’s someone else I don’t know about. She called in to report a stolen car last night.”

Jack did a double take.

What were the odds someone involved in a murder scene would have their car stolen four days later?

“That’s weird.”

“More like a case of being rattled, based on the outcome. The car was discovered early this morning in a spot down the street from where she says she last saw it.”

Jack frowned. “She forgot where she parked it?”

“So our people have concluded, with much amusement, even though she claims that’s not the case. But what other explanation could there be? It was locked, and there was no damage. It’s unlikely anything is missing from inside. If someone wanted to steal contents, they could have done that on the lot where she says she parked it.”

“I’m sticking with weird.” He took another sip of coffee. “She didn’t strike me as the flighty type.”

“Stress can mess with the mind. Cause uncharacteristic behavior.”

The coffee left a trail of acid down his throat.

So could a variety of other factors.

Like mental instability.

Dark memories began swirling through his mind, but he wrestled them back into the locked vault where they belonged. This conversation wasn’t about the past. It was about the present.

And Lindsey Barnes hadn’t shown any evidence of delusional tendencies or instability.

“I may give her a call. Now that a few days have passed, it’s possible another conversation could prod loose a subliminal detail or two.”

“Couldn’t hurt.” Cate pulled her phone out. Skimmed the screen. “Gotta run. Let me know if there’s anything else you want me to do with the case. I’d be happy to do the follow-up with your witness.”

“Thanks, but I can handle that.”

Her lips twitched. “That’s what I thought. Keep me in the loop.” She disappeared out the door.

Jack huffed out a breath as the same vibes his sister had given off Monday night wafted his way. Bri may have been more vocal in her assessment of his interest in Lindsey, but it appeared Cate had come to the same conclusion.

Must be related to the fact that both women had romance on their mind—one in a new relationship, the other in a new marriage.

That didn’t mean they were right, however. Bri’s theory about his ego being bruised was likely the reason for his fixation on his witness.

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