Page 258 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Let me check.” He glanced down at his paperwork. “Junior.”

“I’m sorry, but my father passed on a year ago.”

Jamie stepped in front of Wade. “We’re sorry for your loss, Mr. Moore. I’m Sergeant Strauss and this is Sergeant Brunner.” She took a step to the side. “May we come in? There’s something we need to talk to you about.”

The young man crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s this about?”

“We’d prefer to talk about it inside.”

Rodney Moore opened the front door wide and gestured for them to enter. He led the way to a living room with an enormous stone fireplace. Jamie took a seat on the blue plaid couch and Wade sat on the edge of the matching oversized chair. Once Rodney sat beside Jamie, she sighed. “Rodney, when was the last time you spoke with your mother?”

“You mean my stepmother?”

“Is Lorraine Moore your stepmother?”

“Yes.”

“When was the last time you heard from her?” Jamie asked.

“Before she left on vacation. She was supposed to call before she boarded her cruise, but she didn’t bother.”

“When did Mrs. Moore start her vacation?”

“Her flight was Friday night, July 9th. Her cruise left the next morning from Miami.” He sat up straighter. “Why?”

“How long was the cruise?”

“Ten days. She should dock today.”

“Your stepmother didn’t get on the cruise,” Wade said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry to inform you her body was found in Hickory Run State Park on Saturday,” Jamie said.

His face turned red. “Why didn’t you notify me then?”

“There was no identification with her body, so she needed to be identified by other means.”

Wade waited a minute for the young man to compose himself. “Why didn’t you try to contact your step-mother when she didn’t check call as expected?”

“I figured she forgot to call. It wasn’t a huge concern at the time.”

Wade frowned. “Do you know if she worked in another field before becoming a farrier?”

“Uh. Yeah. She’s a licensed psychiatrist. She doesn’t practice anymore.”

“Do you know where she worked as a psychiatrist?”

“I don’t recall the name of the place. It was some private facility for mentally challenged youth.” He pushed his bangs out of his eyes. “She claimed the work was rewarding, but she needed a break. I never understood that. If it’s rewarding, why would you need a break?”

Jamie’s eyes twinkled. “I understand the sentiment perfectly.” She took a small notebook from her pocket. “Do you remember what Mrs. Moore was wearing when she left for her cruise?”

“I think she had on jeans and a t-shirt. She wasn’t much for dressing fancy.”

“Was she wearing any jewelry?”

His face clouded. “Probably her wedding and engagement rings, but I couldn’t say for sure.”

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