Page 57 of Seeking Evil

If it had been more than twenty-four hours since Lindsey went missing, it was possible Flannigan could have been responsible.

“Inez, come with me back to the office and tell me everything you remember about the last time you saw Lindsey,” Zeke said. Cooper went with them to the office.

Inez wrung her hands. “Oh, I just can’t believe this is happening again.”

Zeke clasped her arm and led her back to the sitting room where they’d shared coffee before. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Sit down and take a breath.”

Inez dropped onto the sofa. “That poor girl. I should have checked her room sooner. I didn’t want to be intrusive.”

Zeke sat beside her while Cooper stationed himself near the fireplace. “It’s going to be okay. Tell me about the last time you saw her.”

Inez gathered a breath. “Not this morning, but the day before.”

“Okay. Where did you see her?” Zeke noticed Cooper taking notes.

“She came into the office and had coffee and donuts with me.”

“Good, you’re doing good. Did she tell you what she planned to do the rest of the day?”

Inez focused on him. “She was upset about not being able to finish her climbing expeditions. She told me then that she might as well head home.” Inez’s hand flew to her trembling mouth. “Oh, God, this is my fault.”

Zeke widened his eyes. “Why would you say that?”

“I told her she should stay and take a look around town. I told her it was a beautiful place to visit and there were lots of shops she could check out downtown. Obviously, she did if she was still around for Terrance to see her at lunch time.”

Zeke wanted to speak to Terrance now more than ever. “This isn’t your fault, Inez,” Zeke did his best to reassure her. If Lindsey had left when she’d planned, the suspect would have chosen another woman. They had to find Lindsey soon before her fate became tied to the women who had gone missing all those years ago. Like Dawn and Sierra.

“Did Lindsey say where she might be going to you or to Terrance?” Zeke thought if they could figure out where she’d last gone, there was a possibility of tracking her movements through Closed-circuit television cameras around town.

Inez thought about it. “She didn’t say where or even if she planned to stay. That’s why I wasn’t so surprised when I didn’t see her this morning or the evening before. I thought, well, maybe she looked around and decided to leave and we’d settle her bill over the phone.”

“So,younever saw her again following your earlier conversation?” Cooper asked as he continued to take notes.

Inez looked at him. “Yes, that’s right.”

“We need to speak to Terrance as soon as possible, Inez.”

She nodded absently. “Sure. He should be calling me soon. He doesn’t have a cell phone. Doesn’t like them. But when he calls, I’ll have him get in touch with you, Zeke, or if he’s in town, he can stop by.”

Zeke nodded and noticed Jack, Megan, and Hannah enter the office. “Excuse us, Inez.”

He and Cooper went through to the office area.

“Nothing’s out of place,” Megan told them.

Patrick finished up with a call. “Forensics is on their way now. Did Inez remember anything useful?”

Zeke updated Megan and Hannah about what Inez said. “It’s possible she went to visit some of the shops downtown . . . which happen to be close to Flannigan’s office.”

“I’m going to see if we can get updated footage from the CCTVs around the area.” Patrick stepped away to make the request.

“I’d like to take Cooper and head over there now.” Zeke realized it was getting late and many of the shops might be closing soon, but this couldn’t wait.

Jack nodded his approval.

“I’ll go with you.” Patrick appeared again. “Deb’s getting the footage from the CCTVs sent over. There are a few stores who have security cameras.” He hesitated. “I checked in with Terrance’s employer. They said he hasn’t worked there in six months.”

The news stopped Zeke in his tracks. “Well, that’s interesting. Let’s talk to Inez.”

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