Page 320 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Did you check out Trooper Cunningham?”

“I did. He has an alibi for the times of the latest murders.”

“How firm is his alibi? Does it hold up for both the kidnapping times and the time of the murder?”

“I plan to keep digging. He was on duty during the kidnapping, but I’m wondering if there was any time when his whereabouts weren’t accounted for.”

“If it’s him, you’ll prove it.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

“I wish I had your faith.”

“What are those verses you quote to the kids? ‘Trust in the Lord with all thy heart. Lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths’?”

“That’s the one. Proverbs 3:5-7.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Easier to say than to do.”

“I know.”

Wade studied the crime-scene photos.Jamie’s engagement and wedding rings were missing from her left hand. A Fitbit with a rubber band was placed on her wrist. It had to have belonged to Moore. The monster improvised when he couldn’t get to Emily. He’d planned to bury Emily with Lorraine Moore’s charm bracelet, but when he was forced to change his plans and take Jamie instead, he’d had to go with the Fitbit since the charm bracelet was in police custody.

The killer was taunting him. There had to be a way to solve these murders before anyone else died. He rubbed his hands over his face. It seemed they had ten different leads sending them in ten different directions, but the one constant was the senator. He needed to meet with her or her chief of staff.

When he called her office, he received the run-around. He’d been expecting that. He stuck his head into Mac’s office. “You able to do me a favor?”

“Depends on the favor.”

“Get me face time with Senator Martin.”

“I’ll meet with her.”

“I’d like to do this myself.”

“Then we’ll both go. She’ll be offended if I’m not there.”

“Fine.” He shrugged. “We’ll both go.”

His lieutenant made a call, and a minute later he had a meeting scheduled.

“Tomorrow morning. Eight sharp.”

“Where?”

“The country club.”

“Where Jamie was married. How nice.”

“Didn’t think of that.”

“It’s fine. I’ll see you both there.”

“Sit down, Sergeant.” His bushy eyebrows furrowed. “Fill me in on what you have so far.”

Pete waitedfor the nurse to leave, then knocked on the older gentleman’s door. When he didn’t answer, he tried the door. It was locked. He returned to his car for his kit, then picked the lock and let himself in. He found old man, Crowley resting comfortably in his recliner with the television on. “Come on, Mr. Crowley, I’m here to pick you up. We’re going to go on a little vacation.”

Confusion clouded the older man’s vision, but he assisted him to a standing position and led him out to the car. Pete suggested the old man change the station and find somethingthat suited him. He turned to a station playing baseball and listened intently for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep. He had to wake him to get him into the house.

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