Page 27 of Vanishing Point
“And the contents?” she asked.
“Pictures.”
“Of?”
He didn’t want to tell her, but that was silly. Maybe their investigations would line up and this could be over all that much sooner. “A friend of mine. We’re working under the theory that they came from her ex-husband.”
“I’m going to need the names of both,” she said. “Spell them out for me. Any other information you have about either one of them. I’d also like you to email me these,” she said, pointing at the computer screen.
With a sick, heavy feeling in his gut, Thomas told her Vi’s name, and Eric’s. When it came to Eric, Thomas gave her the information Vi had given him yesterday. When it came to Vi…
“Can I get an address?”
He couldn’t exactly tell this federal agent the person was livingwithhim. Was hisgirlfriend. She wouldn’t understand. “It’s a ranch out by Sunrise. A ways away. I can give you her phone number.”
“That’ll work.”
He rattled off the number.
The woman pulled a card out of her bag, then scribbled something on the back. “You can email me the photos of the envelope at the email on the front. And there’s my cell on the back if you need it.”
“Sure. Thanks.”
“I’ll be back probably around midday tomorrow to collect the evidence. Hopefully I’ll have a few more questions for you once I’ve talked to the names you gave me.” She stuffed everythingback in her bag. “I don’t suppose you know a good place to get dinner around here?”
There was something about the way she said it, smiled with her head cocked so that was just enough warning to tread lightly. That and Laurel’s eyebrow raise aimed at him.
Lucky for him, Copeland walked by in the nick of time.
“Hey, Copeland. You know any places the postal inspector could get a decent meal in Fairmont?”
Copeland smiled at Dianne. “Sure. I live out that way. I can give you a few suggestions.”
“Detective Beckett is part of our department too,” Thomas explained. “Inspector Kay here came up from Texas by way of Denver to investigate some mail fraud with that envelope we got yesterday. Copeland used to be a detective in Denver.”
Inspector Kay offered Copeland a bland kind of smile. “Not quite a promotion coming out this way, is it?”
Copeland didn’t take any offense to that. He grinned. “Well, I’d love to tell you all about it. There’s a pretty decent Italian place. If you’re looking for some company, I’m about to clock out. Be happy to take you.”
“Oh.” She looked back at Thomas, then straightened her shoulders. “Well, thanks, but I think I’ll just do some takeout. It’s been a long day.” She turned back to Thomas, aimed that megawatt smile at him. “I’ll be back tomorrow, Detective Hart.”
“Sure. I’ll be here.”
Then the inspector left, leaving the three of them in the detective’s office.
“Did you just strike out?” Laurel demanded of Copeland, clearly delighted at the prospect.
“I wasn’t batting,” Copeland grumbled.
“Like hell you weren’t,” Laurel said with a laugh. “You asked her out. She said no. Then gave Hart some big eyes.”
“Yeah, Hart’s a real popular guy these days.”
“He finally grew into that baby face,” Laurel said, pinching his cheek before Thomas could sidestep her. “You know when he started at the county, he only weighed one-fifty.”
“It was more than that,” Thomas said, glaring at Laurel. “Maybe we could focus on our case instead of everyone’s romantic life?”
“What romantic life?” Copeland demanded. “She’s saddled with four kids, and you’re hog-tied and babysitting.”
