Page 68 of The Girls in the Snow

Rory’s jaw clenched, and for the first time looked like he was ready to lose his cool. “Then why did Hardin bury the tox test?”

“I’m sure he didn’t. It was probably misplaced at the hospital.” Did she really believe that anymore?

Rory stopped in front of the county government building. “I hope you’re right, but if you aren’t and news about the tox report comes out, everything changes. I called Patsy this morning and asked her not to leak it. She said that she had no intention of talking to the media unless the report was actually found. But if word gets out, the protestors are really going to be after you.”

Nikki stared at him, the flush on her cheeks morphing into a rush of emotion. “You called her to protect me?”

Rory shrugged. “I told you that I saw you as a victim. Besides, you’re here on a case. It takes precedence. Get this bastard off the streets, and then sit down with the evidence. That’s all I ask.”

“I will, I promise.” Nikki hopped down from the truck. She didn’t want to believe Hardin could have been so bitter he would let a killer go free in order to punish Mark for sleeping with his wife. But if her tox screen had come back with drugs in her system, her entire testimony would have been thrown out.

Had Rory used his conversation with the defense attorney as a way to make Nikki feel obligated to look at the evidence file? Nikki realized she didn’t care if he had. It was still an act of kindness she desperately appreciated. “Thanks for the ride.”

Rory stared at her a beat too long. “You’re welcome.”

Twenty-Four

Nikki sat down in one of the conference room chairs and stared blankly out of the window. Could she really have been drugged that night? It seemed impossible, but even if the paramedic had been wrong in his assessment, he had no reason to lie about the blood test. Was Hardin so blinded by his anger at Mark Todd that he’d risked his job and buried the test?

Nikki shook her head. Lost evidence was an unfortunate part of the job. New procedures and better training made a huge difference, and a mistake like that would have been much more likely back then.

Rory was getting to her. His faith in Mark made Rory’s argument seem solid, but once Nikki looked at the evidence, she would be certain the right man was in prison. Still, she hated the idea of crushing Rory’s hopes. He was the only person in her life who had any clue what it had been like to live under the microscope of the murders. What would happen to him when the DNA proved once and for all that Rory had wasted years of energy on his brother?

Nikki had to get her head straight. Rory wasn’t a part of her life. He was an acquaintance, and they were connected by tragedy, but that was it.

The door swung open, and Courtney sauntered in. “Here’s your coat. Guess who I just saw leaving the complex?”

“No clue.”

“None other than Rory Todd.” Courtney plopped into the chair next to Nikki. “I assume he was here to talk to you? Seems like he’s done a lot of that in a short time. Not that I mind seeing him. He’s easy on the eyes.”

“He gave me a ride from the diner.”

Courtney’s eyes widened. “I wondered how you got here. Why’s he being so nice when he should hate you?”

“He wants me to look at my parents’ files. He’s certain Mark’s innocent.”

“So he’s buttering you up?”

“He’s not like that.” Nikki spoke more vehemently than she’d intended, and Courtney grinned.

“Oh really. Do tell.”

“We’re supposed to be working a case.” Nikki frowned.

“We are,” Courtney said. “But we’re also friends. I just want to make sure this guy isn’t taking advantage of you. Besides, I know that look. You’re wound tight inside and desperate to talk to someone.”

Maybe Courtney was right. Talking things out in an investigation often helped things make more sense, so why shouldn’t it work for her Rory situation?

Nikki sighed and started with falling on her rear at the gas station. She told Courtney about her conversations with Roger Mathews and Rory about the untested evidence.

“You went to a bar with Rory and didn’t tell me?” Courtney swiveled in one of the chairs.

“I really haven’t had the chance,” Nikki said. “Janelle was found the next morning, and we’ve been busy.”

“I’ll let it slide for now. You just promised him that you would look at the evidence, which means he must have said something pretty convincing.”

Nikki rested her head on the back of her chair. “I’m beginning to wonder if my testimony was reliable back then. I was always told that I’d sobered up and the toxicology report proved I was a reliable witness. But there’s no record of the tox report, and I know my blood was taken.” She didn’t want to divulge the information about the paramedic until she knew more.

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