Page 33 of Vanishing Point
“You know, I hope this one sticks,” Laurel said as he gestured her to go inside ahead of him.
“Yeah, me too. Why?”
“You deserve a nice family, Hart.”
He liked to think so, but he also knew… For the past fifteen years, maybe nothing romantic had worked out, but that didn’t mean he’d been alone. “Got one, don’t I?”
She smiled at him. “Yeah, you do. But more doesn’t hurt.”
When they walked into their office, the postal inspector was already there. She was sitting in a chair and looking at her phone and took her time addressing them.
“Got a few minutes for me, Detective Hart?”
“Sure thing.”
She paused, as if waiting for Laurel to give them privacy. Laurel, bless her, pretended like she didn’t notice and went over to their desk and settled herself into the chair, then busied herself with the computer.
Thomas had to fight back a smile.
“I talked to Eric Carter this morning. He says he doesn’t know anything about any envelopes or Texas.”
“Naturally.”
“I also spoke with a few of the people he works with, including his captain. No one knew of any connections he might have to Texas. He hasn’t missed a scheduled day of work in monthsandhasn’t taken any time off.”
“Are you going to investigate that further? Someone can get from Richmond to Texas on a weekend off.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Look, I can’t rule him out, but I can’t concentrate on him without more of a lead. There’s no evidence he’s left Virginia, and the postal stampisfrom Texas. It’s feeling a little bit more like a dead end than a lead.”
“So how do you explain the fact he’s the only one who would have had those photos?”
The inspector sighed. “I don’t know, Detective Hart. I’d like to. Part of that will be continuing my investigation by focusingon the evidence wedohave. I’d like the envelopes and their contents.” She smiled, but there was no confusing that smile for anything but politeness over a demand. “Now.”
Laurel stood. “Why don’t I go get them for you?” she offered.
Thomas nodded, even though he hated it. He wasn’t getting around a federal agency on this. Besides, he had copies. It wasn’t a total loss. Laurel gave his arm a reassuring squeeze before she left the office.
Once Laurel was gone, the inspector spoke again. “Can I ask why I questioned someone at a house that you own, Detective Hart?”
Whatever accusations Inspector Kay was offering were veiled under a smile and a friendly enough delivery. Thomas tried to match it instead of getting defensive. He hadn’t expected her to check on the owner of the house.
“Like I said yesterday, she’s a friend.” Thomas kept himself as relaxed as possible. “She lives with family and she didn’t want them worried, so I let her use my place. Is that a problem?”
“No, I just want to make sure I know all the details of the case.”
“It’s a small town, ma’am. We watch out for each other around here. You’ve got all the details.”
“I’m heading back to Denver this afternoon, but it’s possible I’ll be back.” She stood up from the chair. Just ashadetoo close. But he pretended not to notice.
“You’ve got my number. Feel free to call me if something changes.”
He smiled thinly. “I will. I hope you’ll do the courtesy of letting me know when you wrap up this case.”
“Of course.”
She stayed there a beat, and then Laurel came in. She slid a sealed evidence envelope between what little space Inspector Kay had left between her and him.
“Here you go,” she said cheerfully.
