Page 11 of See How They Hide

“Pastor Henry said it was a random crime. Someone passing through town, someone who likes...likes to...” She couldn’t say it, but Matt knew what she meant.

Someone who likes to kill.

Matt told Evelyn the truth. “There was a similar murder on the West Coast. A young woman was killed in the same manner as your husband. Do you know or have you heard of Jane Merrifield?”

Evelyn stared at him, confused, shook her head.

“Jane is twenty-one, a college student at Southern Oregon University in Ashland,” Matt said.

“I don’t know her.”

“Can I show you her picture? You might know her under a different name.”

Evelyn nodded, and Sloane took a photo of Jane from her folder. It was a picture her roommate, Ashley, had provided, not a forensic photo. Jane was smiling, happy, alive.

Evelyn reached out, but stopped short of touching it. “She’s dead, too?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“She’s so young. I’ve never seen her before, but I’ll pray for her soul. She was killed like Robert?”

“Yes. We’re trying to find any connection between the two victims.” He paused. “Jane is from Colorado.”

Evelyn looked confused.

“It’s the only commonality between them,” Sloane said.

“Robert never talked about his past, and he never mentioned this girl. Like I said, Robert had a difficult life—he didn’t talk about it. He said his life began when he met me, and he has never said or done anything to make me think he was anything but what he showed himself to be—a kind, generous man who treated every person with respect.”

“Would you mind if we went through his personal effects?”

She didn’t want to let them; Matt could see it in her eyes. He waited. He could get a warrant, but her cooperation would make everything easier.

Evelyn nodded once. “Where would you like to begin?” Her voice was weary, resigned.

“Did he have an office? A room or desk or dresser you didn’t use?”

“He did all his work in his office in the store,” she said. “Home was our sanctuary. We didn’t work here.”

“Would you mind if I look through his office at the store? And you can show Sloane his personal space?”

She rose, retrieved a key from a hook by the door, handed it to Matt. “I haven’t been in since... I’m not ready. If you don’t mind.”

He took the key. “Thank you.” He said to Sloane, “I won’t be long.”

Sloane walked Matt to the door and said out of Evelyn’s earshot, “Could Jane be his daughter?”

“It’s a thought,” he said. “See what you can learn from her. I’ll call Jim, have him expedite DNA testing. It should be easy enough to prove or disprove. Text or call if you need me.”

Sloane closed the door behind him, turned back to Evelyn. “My boss didn’t want to impose, but I would sure love a cup of whatever you have.”

Evelyn seemed to relax before her eyes. Sloane knew women like her. She needed to be a hostess in her home, but more, she needed something to do with her hands.

Sloane followed Evelyn to the kitchen where she immediately put a teakettle on. The kitchen appliances had been updated, but the cabinets and counters were old and well cared for.

“You have a lovely home,” Sloane said as Evelyn brought out teacups, sugar, honey, lemon, and poured cream in a creamer. She brought out a jar of a variety of tea bags.

“Thank you. The house has been in my family for generations, but I never felt—well, Robert really made it a home for me.” She said quietly, “I miss him.”

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