Page 155 of Dead Man's List

“Sure.”

Kit handed Connor her phone and waited. Connor’s jaw clenched as he listened, and then he nodded. “Got it. Thank you, sir.”

Kit took her phone back, told Navarro they’d let him know when they were headed in with Shoemaker in custody for rape, then ended the call.

“What was that about?” Kennedy asked. “Someone else is dead?”

Kit considered lying but decided against it. She wanted Kennedy to trust her. “Yes, but I can’t divulge details. We have to notify families first.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense. How do you do this every day? Deal with people like my mom getting murdered?”

Kit twisted around in her seat so that she could see the young woman. “It’s not easy, but when we solve a case, when we get justice for the dead, it’s worth it.”

Kennedy nodded, then cleared her throat. “I tried to record him.”

Kit twisted around again. “Your father?”

Another nod. “He took my phone at night. Told my mom it was because I was texting too late and my grades were suffering. He said he told all the parents at his school to take their kids’ phones at bedtime. Mom bought his bullshit. She always bought whatever he was selling.”

Kit had wondered why a smart girl like Kennedy hadn’t tried to get proof of the abuse by her father. Now she knew. “He just didn’t want you to be able to reach out to anyone or to get evidence against him. Abusers isolate you.”

“I know. I’ve read all about it. He did that to my mom. She hardly ever left the house unless she was going to see mygrandparents. She told them that she was having lunch with friends or going to the club, but she hardly ever did.”

“Did your father go to the country club?”

“Oh yeah. He loved it there. I don’t know why. He took me once and I hated it. I didn’t know if they were like my father or not.”

Maybe not sexual abusers, but many of the other country club members had been hiding secrets, just like Peter Shoemaker. And Peter had lied about that, too. He’d said he hated going to the club, that the members paid attention to his wife but not to him.

“Do you want us to wait with you while you tell your grandparents about your father?” Connor asked. “We can do that. We can put your father in cuffs and have the officer on duty outside keep him in the cruiser until you’re ready for us to go. Or if you’re more comfortable with just Detective McKittrick, I can wait outside with your father.”

“Really?” In that moment Kennedy sounded so young. “You won’t be mad?”

“Not at all,” Connor said gently. “This is a very personal story and I get that you’d be more comfortable with a woman listening.”

“It’s not that. Well, yes, it is that,” Kennedy said. “But not mostly. I’m worried my father will get away. I’d be more comfortable if one of you was watching him.”

“I’ll be happy to do that,” Connor assured her.

They parked behind the police cruiser and waved to the officers sitting inside. The house was immense and, like the Shoemakers’ house, backed up to the bluff. Kit’s eyes widened. To thevery edgeof the bluff.

“Wow, that’s close to the edge,” Kit murmured. “Don’t the houses usually sit back a bit?”

“Normally, yes, and this one probably did at one time, but erosion happens.”

“It’s a little scary during windstorms,” Kennedy said, “but otherwise we just have a great view.” She blew out a quiet breath. “I guess I’ll be staying here from now on when I come home.”

The door opened and a woman in her sixties rushed outside as the three of them got out of the car. Her hair was falling from its bun and her eyes, like Kennedy’s, were red and swollen. This, Kit thought, would be Aylene’s mother.

“Kennedy Shoemaker!Wherehave youbeen? Your grandfather and I have been worried sick. You just…disappeared.”

Kennedy winced. “I’m sorry, Nana. I told Grandad’s assistant that I was coming straight home when she put me in the cab, but I needed to stop at the police station first. I didn’t realize it would take so long.”

Mrs.Tindall gave Kit and Connor disapproving looks. “Why are you harassing my granddaughter? And on a day like this?”

“No, Nana,” Kennedy protested. “I went to them. We need to talk.”

Mrs.Tindall put her arm around her granddaughter’s shoulders. “I know, baby. It’s a horrible day.”

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