Page 309 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Mac cleared his throat. Wade swiveled in his chair to face his lieutenant. “What’s up, boss?”

“I spoke with our FBI liaison, and I learned something interesting.”

Wade picked up his nearly empty coffee cup and took a swig of the lukewarm brew.

“Our suspect was released on bail the day before Jamie was abducted.”

“Did I hear you correctly? Lester Parsons is not behind bars?”

“That’s right. It may be relevant, so I didn’t want to leave you in the dark.”

“I’m going to need a search warrant for the land around his garage.”

“Consider it done. We all want to get this creep. I’ll have it in your hands by noon.”

“Thanks, Mac.”

“Get this guy, and if our Jamie is alive, bring her back.”

He blinked away the tears filling his eyes at the thought that Jamie might already be dead. “I’ll do my best, sir."

The big man smacked him on the back. “I know you will, son.”

Once Mac returned to his office, Wade filled his cup and went back to his desk and called Ty to give him an update on the investigation. He needed a game plan. Lester would have a place to hold his victims before killing them. He needed to put himself in the shoes of a psychopath and figure out where that could be. An hour later, while searching satellite footage near Parsons’ home and garage, he found a new lead. He knocked on the doorway of Mac’s office to announce his presence.

“Did you find something?” Mac asked.

“I think so.” He set his laptop on Mac’s desk and showed him what he found.

“So, you think he might be keeping his victims on someone else’s property?”

“A ninety-year-old widow owns this two-hundred-acre plot of land adjacent to his garage. I couldn’t find a record of any children. It’s possible she leases the buildings on her property, but doubtful. The easiest way to find out is to ask her.”

“Go. Get permission to search her acreage and her outbuildings.”

“I’m on it.”

Wade calledEmily and went straight to voicemail. He left a message. His stomach roiled at the thought of what she needed to do. He belonged by her side, but she was right. He needed to be here doing what he was doing. For Jamie.

He wound his way down the long driveway and parked by the front door. Before he could ring the bell, the door swung open and a white-haired woman answered. She didn’t quite reach five foot tall.

“Mrs. McHenry?”

“Yes. Is there something I can help you with?” her Italian accent was thick. He hadn’t been expecting it from someone named McHenry, but McHenry had been her husband’s name, so it made sense.

He pulled out his badge. “I’m Sargent Brunner with the Pennsylvania State Police.”

“What can I do for you, Sargent?”

“Would you mind if I came in so we could talk?”

“Not at all. Come on in.” She held the door wide for him to enter and then led him to a sitting area on a small screened porch off her kitchen. “This is my favorite place to sit. I can watch the birds come and go from the feeders.”

“It’s peaceful out here,” he said.

She smiled. “What can I do for you, sonny?”

He leaned forward. “I was looking at satellite footage this morning and noticed there are a number of out buildings on your property. Are they still in use?”

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