Page 90 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“We’ll start with these two IDs. Maybe they belong to our Does. I’ll keep you updated, Chief.”

Chase had killed Devon’s mother, Braden’s grandmother. Hanna had to sit and digest this new information. Was Chase the Lonely Heart Killer? The agent had not mentioned any other purses or IDs. This reminded Hanna that she wanted to find out who had taken Nathan’s place on the Lonely Heart murder case.

Asa stopped by her house to see how she was doing.

“I’m exhausted,” she admitted. “I may take tomorrow off.”

“You deserve it. Try to relax.”

“Who took over the Lonely Heart case?”

“Mason and Trejo.”

“Oh, they’re good.”

They talked briefly about the FBI findings. Asa was as surprised as Hanna about Ellen and the PD Driscoll.

“Interesting about him,” he said. “The court in San Francisco just answered your query regarding Driscoll.”

“Yeah? What did they say?”

“He went missing from San Francisco. He left Dry Oaks after Joe’s conviction and began working there. He was there for at least five years before he disappeared. No one ever considered he’dcome back here. He quit and left. Since he was a loner, no report was ever filed.”

“I wonder why he came back here.”

“Could have had a change of heart. He did a poor job for Joe, and maybe he knew Joe was innocent. Something was going on there.”

“We may never know everything. Thanks for all of your hard work.”

“My job. You rest. We have things handled. Chase is well enough to be transferred to jail. His arraignment is set for Tuesday.”

“I’ll be there for that, for sure. Is he talking?”

“Not that I’ve heard.”

After Asa left, Hanna took Gizmo for a walk. She sent off a text to Jared to see how he was.

Good. Work today, off tomorrow. Coffee in the morning? Maybe somewhere with real chairs and a table?

Hanna laughed, feeling a little darkness lift. She did care for Jared, a lot. And she was tired of crying. Laughter was good.

Sure, The Beanery?

He sent a thumbs-up with9:00after.

The house was so quiet, and her father’s valise seemed to call out to her. She picked it up and brought it into the living room. Looking inside, there was nothing but the letters and his Bible. Hanna couldn’t bring herself to open any of the letters or look through the Bible. Everything was so raw.

She put everything aside, made dinner, took a nice long bath, and went to bed early.

Jared looked forward to coffee with Hanna more than he could say. The station had been quiet most of the night. They respondedto two traffic accidents, nothing major, and he got a good night’s sleep. He got off work on time and headed for The Beanery.

Hanna stayed on his mind all night. More specifically, the hug after he’d come up from the mine shaft. Sure, she was relieved about Nathan. But she sure held on tight. Maybe she still had enough feelings for him.

“Do you love Hanna?”

“I think she loves you.”

Nathan might have been shocky and dopey, but his words were clear.

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