Page 64 of Find Me

“The city didn’t require her to delete that Facebook post as part of the settlement?” Lindsay asked.

“She didn’t even bother going to the city. The money came from LockeHome, and they probably didn’t know anything about that old Facebook comment. Katy had forgotten about it until you messaged her.”

“So itwasMelanie Locke.” Next to her, Ellie was pointing to the phone, asking her to put the call on speaker. Lindsay shook her head.

“No. Katy said she figured out that one of the cops she used to see buddying around with Hitch went on to work at LockeHome. She went straight to him. I was so sure it was going to be Melanie Locke who paid her off, but Katy said it was that guy who worked for Hitch who did all the dirty work.”

“That cop Alex went to at the summer camp—the one who said he couldn’t find any other girls to back up your complaint—was his name Steve Thompson?”

Emilia didn’t hesitate. “How did you know that?”

Lindsay spotted a sign for the Holland Tunnel exit. “It’s a long story, and I’m driving right now. Can I call you later to fill you in? And again, thank you so much for doing this when you’re still processing the news about your brother.”

“It’s actually nice to have something to work on. I’m going to stay in touch with Katy. We were talking about starting a support group for Hitch’s other victims once the news gets out.”

“I have a feeling that might be right around the corner.”

When Lindsay hung up, Ellie didn’t miss a beat. “Steve... knew? About Emilia and Mullaney?”

Lindsay nodded. “I’m so sorry. I know you’re close. Back at yourbrother’s apartment—I noticed you touched his wrist when he mentioned the felony murder rule. It seemed like pretty technical knowledge, even for the son of a cop. Did he also go to Thompson after the shooting?”

Ellie shook her head. “No. Steve came to him. He was assigned to the case and already knew Jess was there. He told him he should get out of town, so he did.”

A truck honked at Lindsay as she maneuvered into the exit lane. “So Steve must have found out from Alex.”

“But Jess couldn’t even remember Alex’s name. Would Alex know Jess’s?”

“Yeah, because girls talk. Hope probably knew all about Jess from her friend TC.”

Ellie’s next question took Lindsay by surprise. “Tell me what you think about Carter Decker. We’re going to need his help.”

37

Friday, June 25, 7:17 p.m.

Lindsay could not get over the flatness that was Wichita, Kansas. She had expected it to look a bit like Pittsburgh, but she saw nothing resembling Steel Tower or the Mellon Center or any of the other skyscrapers that converged over downtown Pittsburgh. If she had to guess, the tallest building in Wichita was twenty floors at best. Flat, flat, flatness, as far as the eye could see.

Lindsay had broken down and called Scott before the flight. He didn’t pick up, but she left a message that she was taking a short trip and was sorry for everything. His only response was a text message:I wish you all the best, Linds.

From the passenger seat of the rental car, Ellie had finished pecking on the screen of her cell phone. “Decker’s all done in Boston, and he confirmed the timeline,” she said. She slid her phone into the side pocket of a backpack on her lap as she gestured toward the high-end strip mall ahead of them. “It’s coming up here on the right.”

The place in question was a restaurant called the Rimrock Grill, where Ellie had arranged for them to meet Steve Thompson, supposedly for Lindsay to pick the retired detective’s brain about the Richard Mullaney case on behalf of her client, Hope Miller, aka Tara King.

The sun was still high, and a hot gust of wind washed over Lindsay when she stepped out of the rental car. She immediately felt sweat bead above the collar of her silk blouse. “I don’t know if it’s my nerves or this heat,” she said, futilely trying to fan herself with one hand.

“One of the great mysteries of my childhood—how the wind somehow makes it worse. It’s like standing in front of gigantic blow-dryer on full blast.” Ellie led the way to the restaurant entrance and paused before reaching for the door. “You ready?”

“Just a second.” Lindsay slipped her phone from her purse and sent a quick text.Heading in now. I love you.No legal ID meant no airplanes, not to mention the assurances they had given to the court about Hope not leaving New York.

A series of dots, followed by a brief reply.PLEASE be careful. Love you too.

She hit the voice memo app on the phone, pressed record, and returned the device to her bag. Kansas was a one-party state, meaning that she could lawfully record any conversations as long as at least one participant consented.

“Let’s do it.”

The air conditioner was cranking inside the dimly lit restaurant. Lindsay felt a sour taste in her throat when she spotted Steve Thompson, halfway through a stein of beer. Alone at a booth table in the back corner, he was older and thinner than in the photos she’d been studying for the last two days.

She watched as Ellie Hatcher accepted a hug from the man they believed had enabled a sexual predator for years and then killed Alex Lopez to prevent others from discovering his complicity. She marveled at the detective’s ability to appear completely and utterly thrilled to see her father’s former partner.

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