Page 37 of Whispers Left Behind

“Everything alright out here?” Tobias called out. Kinsley peered over her shoulder to find that he had walked out on the porch holding both cups of coffee. His frown conveyed his impatience. “Detective?”

“Thank you, J.J.” Kinsley smiled reassuringly at the young man. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She collected one of her business cards from the case and promptly handed it to him. “If you can think of anything else that might help the investigation, please give me a call.”

Kinsley didn’t wait for J.J. to get into Tobias’ truck. She turned around, mindful of the dirt and gravel of the driveway. The older dog lifted his head at her approach, but he remained in the grass.

“You can check with Ms. Baird, Detective.”

Kinsley raised a hand of acknowledgment at J.J., but she kept advancing toward the porch. She had several questions for Tobias. He monitored her progression, but she never once got the sense that he understood the significance of what J.J. had disclosed to her.

“Mr. Callahan witnessed Rachel and Louise driving through Halliday on Wednesday night,” Kinsley stated, not bothering to take a seat. “It was brought to your attention on Thursday morning, but you failed to mention it to me when we spoke on Friday. Why?”

“Rachel never came to the farm that night, so I assumed that J.J. was mistaken. He shares a house with roommates, and they tend to drink from time to time.” Tobias leaned forward in his rocking chair. “As for my daughter, J.J. never mentioned Louise.”

Tobias stood from his rocking chair, using the arms as leverage. Once he was steady, she realized her mistake. He was going to reach out to Louise before Kinsley could question her. There would be no stopping him.

Fortunately, Kinsley would be able to request footage from any city traffic cameras. If needed, she would then submit for warrants for specific storefronts dependent on what the traffic footage displayed of the two vehicles in question.

A shoe size of eleven and a half had been worn by the killer.

Was it possible that Louise had attempted to outsmart the police by wearing her fiancé’s shoes? Or had Louise Baird and Douglas Glynn murdered Rachel Hanson together?

“Mr. Zayn?” Kinsley’s voice stopped Tobias from entering his home. He turned, his lips compressed in frustration and impatience. “You recently changed your will. I’m asking you one more time—would any of those adjustments have been a motive for murder?”

Chapter Seventeen

Alex Lanen

October

Tuesday — 11:19 am

It was obvious thatthe seedy used car dealership was the kind that thrived on promises of desperation, relying on slick financing offers and the vulnerable positions of their customers. The lot was a collection of past-their-prime vehicles. Most had been angled in such a way as to hide their worn paint jobs and rust spots.

“Do you believe Zayn?” Alex asked Kinsley as he parked next to a faded inflatable banner. The advertisement item wasstruggling to remain upright against the strong winds and practically completely bent in the middle forcing the fabric to flap in the opposite direction. “Between the life insurance policy and the will, we’re assuming Hanson’s death is about greed.”

“I got the sense that Zayn believed what he was spouting today, but I’m still going to submit for a warrant. I want to read the details of the will myself,” Kinsley said, her voice coming through the Camaro’s speakers loud and clear. Alex shifted the gear into park, allowing the engine to idle while she continued her side of the conversation. “I’m driving back to the station now. It shouldn’t take long for us to obtain the traffic cam footage from the city of Halliday. Oh, and Izzy finished up with Rachel’s vehicle. There was no paint transfer left by the other vehicle involved.”

The disappointment in Kinsley’s tone was obvious.

Nothing about this investigation had been easy.

“I finished the paperwork that we needed to submit from the events over the weekend,” Alex divulged as he spotted the front door of the building open. “Speak of the devil.”

“What was that?”

Since Alex had murmured those last four words under his breath, it was no wonder that Kinsley hadn’t been able to hear him. His focus was currently on Joe Cider. The man had a smile pasted on his face wider than the dealership’s name on the front side of the building.

“Nothing,” Alex responded as he reached out and hovered his finger over the engine button. He always carried the keyfob in the pocket of his pants. It had been his intention to drive one of the unmarked cruisers, but his preferred vehicle had already been signed out by Haugen. The other cars were older and uncomfortable for longer drives. “Listen, Hanson’s cell phone records came in. I forwarded you a copy.”

“I’ll comb through them this afternoon to verify Jack Hanson’s statement.”

“Talk to you soon.”

Alex pressed the engine button, effectively ending their call. By this time, Cider was halfway across the parking lot. The man had paused only to zip his jacket. Alex reached for his own before opening the driver’s side door.

“Morning,” Joe called out cheerfully as he approached Alex. “I’ve got to say, that’s a nice-looking ride you have there. I can only imagine what your monthly payments are, though.”

Alex refrained from immediately replying to the leading comments. He reached into his pocket, pressing the lock button on his keyfob. The loud beep signified the locks had engaged, and the task bought time for him to put on his jacket. He wasn’t so sure that they would be standing outside for long after he explained the reason for his visit.

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