Page 58 of Seeking Evil

He and Patrick pulled Inez aside. Zeke told her what Patrick learned about her husband’s employer. “Did he tell you he wasn’t working for them?”

Inez’s frown cleared. “Oh, yes, of course. He wanted to work for himself. He owns his own truck and trailer. Terrance hauls cattle for several different ranches. I’ll have him check with you as soon as he calls.”

Which meant, they’d have to wait for Terrance to check in before they could speak with him.

“You don’t think he’s involved, do you?” Her worried gaze shot between Zeke and Patrick.

“We only want to talk to him about his last encounter with Lindsey. Try not to worry, okay.”

Inez slowly nodded but he wondered if she believed him. The guilt she would carry with her if Lindsey was found dead would haunt her for the rest of her life.

“Do you have a photo of Lindsey?” Zeke realized he had no idea what their missing woman looked like.

Inez snapped her fingers. “I have a copy of her driver’s license on file. Hold on a second.” She went behind the counter and opened a file cabinet. After thumbing through several folders, she pulled out one and brought a piece of paper over to them. “Here you go. It’s in color and everything.”

“Inez, you are amazing.” Zeke snapped a picture of Lindsey’s driver’s license before he and Cooper left with Patrick.

“We’ll start in front of Doc’s office.” Patrick pulled into a spot out front as the remaining rays of sunlight faded. In the western sky, the sun sank lower. Another day was drawing to an end. Another day without answers.

I’m coming, babe. Please hang on.

A breeze kicked up as they exited the police cruiser. Almost as if in answer.

“Look there.” Patrick pointed to the door above the doctor’s office. A camera had been positioned to look down at the foot traffic. He tried the door. The office was closed. It probably had been most of the day. “I’m calling Flannigan’s receptionist.”

Zeke glanced down at the street lined with mostly tourist shops. “Looks like many of them are still open. I’m guessing this is the height of the tourist season.” He and Cooper started with the shop next to the doctor’s office. A souvenir shop. Zeke didn’t notice a camera outside the establishment.

Inside, there were a few people milling around. A woman who appeared in her fifties made a beeline for them, probably thinking of them as customers.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?” She smiled in anticipation.

Zeke brought out his ID. “I’m Special Agent London, and this is Special Agent Delaney. We’re with the FBI.”

“FBI.” Her smile disappeared. “How can I help you agents?”

Zeke brought up the photo of Lindsey. “We’re looking for this woman. She might have been down walking this way yesterday morning. Have you seen her?”

Several of the patrons overheard the conversation and stared at them.

The owner of the shop motioned them out of earshot. “People are freaking out about what’s happening. Business is down. It’s a terrible thing.”

Zeke wondered if she said that because of the missing women or the dip in sales. “Have you seen her, ma’am?”

She took the phone from him and studied the photo. “I think so. Yes, I do believe she was in yesterday morning looking around. She didn’t buy anything, though.” She handed the phone back to Zeke.

“Did you happen to see if she spoke with anyone?” Cooper’s question appeared to confuse her.

“What do you mean? She spoke with me.”

Cooper shook his head. “No, I mean did she speak with anyone outside the shop? Was there anyone who stood out as unusual around the area then.”

“Unusual.” The woman laughed. “No, there was no one except for Doc. He stops by every couple of days to say hello. I think he’s lonely.”

Robert Flannigan had been in the same location as their missing woman. “Did he and the woman talk?”

The woman thought about it for a second. “Now that you mention it, I think they did in passing. She was leaving as Doc came in. It was just pleasantries.” She stopped. “You don’t think . . .”

Zeke told her they were only gathering information. “Thank you for your time.” He handed her a card. “If you remember anything else, give me a call.”

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