Page 10 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

“It’s…a lot, I know.” Dwayne grimaced. “I wish I could help more, but I literally have no idea what happened to her or if anyone wished her harm.”

“Was she dating anyone?” Donovan asked, pausing in his writing. “An ex, maybe?”

“Tye was asexual and aromantic. She never had an interest in dating.”

Well, that knocked the possibility right out.

At this point, it was better to grab his case files and start poring over them. Dwayne had told us all he could.

“Donovan, you got a client intake form on you?”

“You know I do.”

I figured. Man carried absolutely everything in either his pockets or messenger bag. The Havilis took the motto “be prepared” to a whole other level.

Donovan whipped out the paperwork, handing it and a pen to Dwayne. “Fill this out, sign it, and we’re officially on your case.”

“Sounds perfect.” Dwayne set to scribbling.

Now, first step was calling Borrowman. I needed those case files and he could get them for me. It was late enough I figured most of the Psy office had quit for the day, but I could catch them up and start in on files tomorrow.

Dwayne signed, gave the form back to Donovan, he and I both signed as well, then paperwork went back into the bag. I reached across the table to shake Dwayne’s hand.

“It might be slow going, nothing about the law is fast, but I promise you I’ll stick with this case.”

His handshake was firm in return. “Thank you.”

Lopez stopped recording, putting his phone away and promising, “I’ll email this over to Sho tonight.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Dwayne reluctantly got up and Lopez escorted him out. I understood the reluctance—he was finally with people who believed him—but I couldn’t help him by staying here with him. Getting him out took priority.

It had to be hard, too, trusting strangers he barely knew. In his shoes, I’d be worried as hell. All I could do was reassure him.

“Donovan, can you make a note to update him regularly?” The waiting would be hell on him; I didn’t want that.

Donovan snorted like I was being funny. “Like you’re not going to call him daily with a check-in.”

“You do know me so well. All right, for now, let’s go home. Donovan, Borrowman?”

“Yup. Soon as we’re out.”

Abby followed us out of the room, asking as we walked, “Who’s Borrowman?”

“Detective Harry Borrowman is a very dear friend at the precinct and someone we rely upon when there’s trouble. He also hates Solomon’s guts.”

“Okay, but can I get the full story on this Solomon guy on the way back to my car?”

I slid past the first security door, shooting her a pitying look. “Oh, kiddo. Solomon is not something you can explain in one short car ride. But I’ll give you the condensed version.”

Could someone please accidentally on purpose run the man over? Solomon’s death could only be viewed as a gift to humanity.

4

I saw Abby to her car, and she took off for home with a wave. She was such a good kid. I felt the need to introduce her and Skylar to each other. Abby had the same vibe, and those two would probably become thick as thieves.

Okay, she was off, and Jon was inside making dough for pizzas, meaning I needed to get toppings together.

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