Page 81 of Unforgotten

Eyeing their uniforms and obviously feeling the tension in the air, the faint smile on her face faded. “Is there a problem, Blake?”

“We’re looking for Scott Conway. Is this his apartment?”

“It is.” She glanced at Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Ernst before focusing back on the chief. “What’s going on?”

“Do you still own the building?”

“I do. What is going on?”

Ryan stepped in. “Ma’am, what can you tell us about Mr. Conway?”

She looked down at her feet. “Well, first of all, he’s hardly a ‘mister.’ He’s just a pup. The guy won’t even be able to have a beer for another few years. Is that what you want to know?”

“When was the last time you saw him, ma’am?” Deputy Ernst asked.

She glared. “I’m not a real fan of the way you gentlemen are answering my questions with questions.”

“KJ, you know—oh, hold on,” Chief Foster blurted before answering his cell phone. “Doug, you got it? Uh-huh. No, I’ve got someone who can let me in here. Yeah, yeah. Bring it on over. Thanks.”

After giving the other law enforcement officers a nod, the chief faced the woman. “KJ, we have reason to suspect that Scott Conway might be involved in a case we’re investigating. Doug just obtained a search warrant allowing us to enter his residence. Will you let us in, please?”

Everything in her expression changed. All the hot air and bluster seemed to evaporate. “Blake, what is going on?”

“You know I can’t answer that. Do you have the keys?”

She looked him over, then glanced Ryan’s way too. “All right, but I have to tell ya, I don’t know what he could be involved in,” she said as she fished in her jean jacket for her keys. “He keeps to himself most of the time and always calls me ma’am. You can’t trust anyone these days, can you?”

“We’re still gathering information, ma’am.”

She looked at him. “So I see.” After stepping forward, sheunlocked the door and knocked loudly two times. “Scott, you inside? This is KJ.” She moved to one side.

Chief Foster opened the door. “Stay out here.” He drew his gun as he followed the sheriff inside.

“Hey,” she said to Ryan. “Will you let me know if there’s trouble?”

Ryan knew better than to promise anything. “Excuse me, ma’am. Another officer should be here momentarily.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell Doug where you’re at.”

He shut the door and drew his gun. “Chief?”

“We’re clear, Ryan,” Chief Foster called out. “Come on in the bedroom, son. You’ve got to see this.”

Dread filled his insides as he headed to the bedroom. “Sir?” he said when he spied the expressions on both the sheriff’s and chief’s faces.

“I’d say you found our guy.” Chief Foster’s voice was flat.

Shifting his attention to the wall beside him, Ryan felt every muscle in his body tense. Dozens of photos of Candace were taped on the wall. Pictures of her in high school, at a pool in a bikini, around town, in one of her college classes. Even with Bethanne.

But the most disturbing of all were the photos taken most recently. Maybe her getting crowned Miss Crittenden County set him off? These photos were less flattering, taken from awkward angles or when she was frowning or in the middle of speaking.

“Ryan, I’d say he knows who you are,” Sheriff Johnson said as he pointed to a pile of cut-up photo scraps. They were all of him. Scott had cut him out of Candace’s pictures—and then cut him to pieces.

He felt sick. Why couldn’t he have protected her better?

“She’s in bad trouble, Blake,” the sheriff drawled. “They’re obviously not here. Any idea where else he might have taken them?”

“Ryan?” Chief Foster bit out. “Any idea?”

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