Page 36 of Down and Dirty

Christopher pulled into his driveway and got out without getting his books and papers like he normally did. He walked over to where we stood. “El, is everything all right?”

“You wanted me to make friends and venture out into the real world. This is me venturing.”

“I’m sorry, Faith. My sister spends her life online. El, when I said make friends, it didn’t mean by getting them to call the cops.”

“Don’t be hard on her. She probably saved my life.”

“What?” he asked.

“I saw someone in her house while she was at the hospital.”

He raised a brow.

“I passed out and fell again,” I said, asking his unanswered question.

“And while she was gone, someone was inside. I saw them.”

Christopher took her by the arm and moved her a couple steps away. “What did I tell you about spying on the neighbors?”

“Be glad I did,” El said.

“I’m sorry. Faith. Elenore watches all of those cop and forensic shows on TV. So, she’s like the unofficial neighborhood watch, but she’s the only participant. She believes everyone is a serial killer or thief.”

Couldn’t knock the girl for that. “Why were you spying on me?”

“She thought you were a druggie house the way strange people are coming and going from your home. She didn’t realize they were clients or relatives until I explained what you do.”

Jimbo stepped out onto my porch and met my gaze. “Faith, can I see you a minute?”

“Excuse me,” I said before jogging up onto the porch. I met Jimbo’s gaze. “Was it a dead body?”

His face hardened. “Who has a key to your place?”

“My family,” I said with a shrug. “And I keep one under the pot,” I said, holding my hand to my chest. “It’s a dead body, isn’t it?”

Jimbo pulled his forensic gloves out of his pocket and used the tip to pick up the flower pot. “It’s missing.”

“Sorry, I used it to get inside. I have it in my pocket.” Heat claimed my cheeks as I slipped it out and handed it to Jimbo.

“So much for fingerprints.” Jimbo shook his head.

“Did your neighbors see anything?” he asked.

“Elenore saw some shadows while I was at the hospital.”

He’d started to walk off when I grabbed his arm.

“Tell me what you found.”

Jimbo’s frown told me I wouldn’t like the answer, but before he could speak, Keaton stepped out onto the porch. “The rest of my missing girls.”

My legs gave out, and if Jimbo hadn’t caught me, I would have knocked my head again.

He steered me over to the swing and pushed me down on the floral cushion. “Start from what led you to the landfill and don’t leave anything out.”

My mouth parted, but no words came out. My vision tunneled, and I was struggling to breathe. This couldn’t be happening.

“Those girls have been dead for over a month. They weren’t in the basement last night or this morning. I would have smelled it,” Keaton said, taking a seat beside me. “I’m her alibi up until this morning.”

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