Page 20 of Long Road Home

“Accidents happen.” Alonzo paused. “It’s sad, but that’s life.”

Kenna couldn’t argue with that sentiment.

Theo asked her, “Why do you ask about the Crosbys?”

She explained about the note on the door. “Any idea who might want her to believe it wasn’t an accident?”

Alonzo used a colorful word to describe the type of person.

Theo nodded his agreement. “Other than the killer she’s writing that book about, she’s not exactly a threat.”

“The killer everyone figures is dead?” Why would the killer leave a note, even if they were alive? “Could be a way to prevent her from writing the book, but there’s no way to tell that’s why the note was left unless I can figure out who left it.”

Which might mean figuring out the killer’s identity.

Theo glanced at her. “Why aren’t you out there making sure the cops do their jobs right with Marion Wells?”

“Do they need a babysitter?” Kenna said.

“I just figured you’d want to be there to see them find the bodies. She told you where they’re at, right?”

“Small town?”

Alonzo turned his phone and waved it at her. “Emergency dispatch app. They called in a local search and rescue cadaver dog over to up by the state park.”

The waitress came by and poured them all coffee, refilling theirs and giving her a mug. When she’d walked away, Theo said, “So why aren’t you up there helping?”

It was the way he said it that gave Kenna the feeling this guy might’ve been law enforcement at one point. She eyed him. “I’m the one who asks the questions.”

Theo chuckled. “You think we’re just old men.”

Alonzo joined in the chuckling.

Kenna wasn’t going to tell them she wasn’t so sure. “You think I always do what I should?”

Both of them snorted.

“I hope not,” Alonzo said. “Otherwise, you’d be another pushover woman who does what she’s told.Boring.”

Theo seemed to agree but said nothing.

Kenna didn’t want to get into the intricacies of what feminism should mean, the role of strong, independent women in society, and the rest of it. She settled on, “This is a more complex issue than not being bored. I’m not sure I want to be the one to unpack it for you.”

“Good,” Alonzo said. “Because that would beboring.”

Kenna drank down the coffee and set the mug on the table. “You guys have a good one.”

Theo grunted. “Yeah.”

Kenna got in the car and called Ramon’s number. It rang through the speakers as she pulled out of the parking lot toward Forrest’s house. “Come on.”I might’ve found your sister.“Pick up.”

No one needed to know that the brother of the first victim was an associate of hers.

As soon as the call went to the canned voicemail service, she ended the call without leaving one.

Forrest’s car was parked in the garage by Kenna’s RV.

Kenna blocked herself in by parking on the drive, hit the button to close the garage door, and went into the house. She called out, “It’s just me.”

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