Page 92 of Exposure of Murder

“Does he have a tattoo?”

She squinted her eyes. “Really?”

“Just answer the damn question.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “Yes. He has a viper tattoo on his arm.”

Ethan knew it. They had Viper. Now all they had to do was find him. “Do you have his address?”

She blinked rapidly and shook her head. “He usually stays here when he comes to town.”

“Is he coming back soon?” Ethan pressed. Maggie was lying about where he stayed, but he knew that no more information was forthcoming. He’d keep his eye on her.

“He’s supposed to be here in a day or so.”

“Do you have a phone number for him?” he asked.

Maggie hesitated. “Yes.”

Ethan blew out his breath. This was like pulling teeth. “Can I have it?”

“Stay here. I’ll get it,” said Maggie. She walked into the house, pulled out her phone, and returned. She read the number to Ethan, who wrote it down.

“Where’s he from?” Ethan asked.

“New York City.” Maggie fiddled with the edge of her shirt. “What’s this all about?”

Ethan debated whether or not to share his hunch with her. While Maggie was disagreeable, he couldn’t imagine her being involved with a criminal. And it was his duty to protect the citizens of Beaver Creek, even if they didn’t want protection.

“We’re investigating criminal activities in the area, and I believe Victor might be involved.”

She covered her mouth with her hands. “You think Victor is a criminal?”

“I’m not saying anything for sure until I speak with him. Please call me when he arrives.”

Ethan turned and left, but not before hearing the door slam shut behind him. He hoped that wasn’t a sign from the universe that this case was not going to be solved easily, and something told him that the worst was yet to come.

Forty-Eight

On his way back to the station, Ethan stopped at a nearby sandwich shop to pick up lunch. The aroma of fresh baked bread, tomato sauce, basil and beef mingled with the rich scent of coffee and permeated his truck.

He was coming back with more information than he started with. However, his stomach was tied in knots, and he wondered how this was all going to pan out. The stakes were high. Could they make the connection to the criminal activity and Thornton’s murder? What if they couldn’t? He couldn’t dismiss the idea that Ruggerio was Thornton’s partner and his killer.

As he stepped through the front door of the station, he let out a sigh of relief. It was relatively quiet. Jimbo was at Nora’s desk, flipping through a stack of mail, and Ethan looked at his watch. Eleven o’clock. Hopefully, this case would be closed soon. He handed Rosie the information to check.

“Let me know what you find.”

She nodded and went back to her desk.

Ethan settled at his desk and looked at the several messages Nora had left for him.

There was still no word from Jane, so he left another message. Savannah should be there by now, so they were probably busy catching up. He was tempted to call Sean, but first, he’d wait to hear what Rosie found, then he would update his brother.

His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since early morning. Devouring the meatball sub, he wiped his mouth on a napkin.

Just as he finished eating, Rosie knocked twice on his door before entering with a grim look on her face. She sat across from him, shaking her head. “The phone number turned out to be a burner phone, and the phone number was blocked. We don’t have the resources or technical expertise to retrieve call records or even perform cell tower triangulation.”

Damn. Ethan clenched his jaw. It just figured this wouldn’t be easy.

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