Page 19 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
“I’ll send you the addresses and information. No problem. It does appear he went to the house of a Penny Gardner and spent the night.”
Evan shrugged. “I think you’re allowed to have a relationship if you’re out on parole unless Penny is on the list of people he shouldn’t be in contact with.”
“No, I have no idea who she is, but I need to make sure he wasn’t drinking or doing something more.” Keith waved a package that contained a urine analysis or UA test. “I’ll be double-checking it as much as I can. Care to tell me about your interest in him?”
Evan didn’t care to share with Keith, but he decided he needed to give him something to help future cooperation. “I have questions about an ongoing investigation. I believe Toby may know something or have seen something. Let’s go talk to him.”
Before Keith could answer, Evan turned and strolled toward the house. Rex and Toby had turned around, watching them approach. Evan hoped they hadn’t overheard much.
“Hello, Toby. Just doing a random check-in today. I need to make sure things are going well. And you need to take care of this,” Keith said, waving the UA package at Toby.
“Sure,” Toby said. “I can do that.”
Evan was surprised. Most parolees dreaded the UAs for the obvious reason. Although some really did change their life in prison. Maybe Toby was one of those, minus the possibility of kidnapping of course. He pulled out his badge and identified himself.
Rex hadn’t said anything yet and Evan wanted to get them a little more comfortable. Try to put them at ease. Tucking thebadge back in his pocket, Evan pointed at the graffiti. “Looks like you have someone giving you some trouble.”
Rex and Toby peered over their shoulders. Rex spoke first. “Yeah, the neighbors and town residents aren’t too happy about my brother being home. We’re trying to ignore it all.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. If you need me to talk to anyone, let me know,” Evan said. Not like the FBI worried much about parolees’ homes getting tagged, but he was hoping to gain a little trust.
Rex shrugged and said, “Probably just some kids getting into summer trouble before they go back to school. We’ll get it scrubbed and painted over.”
Evan peered into the garage, where he saw a nice vehicle parked. He continued his small talk, hoping the brothers might relax a little bit and give Evan the upper hand. “I like your vehicle. Glad the vandals didn’t tag that. Is it a Jeep?”
“Yeah,” Toby said.
“I might be in the market for a new vehicle for myself. I’d like something comfortable that could also do off-roading. I’m between a Jeep and a 4Runner.”
Rex and Toby stared at him like he was crazy. So much for small talk helping, but Evan waited for an answer. Keith had his arms crossed, but so far seemed patient. Evan was certain Keith had other things to do today and he knew that he needed to start asking the serious questions, but he waited out the brothers for an answer to his vehicle question.
“Both are great for off-roading. I don’t think you can go wrong,” Toby finally said.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you from cleaning up that spray paint.”
Rex shrugged. “It happened before. It’ll probably happen again.”
“Before?” Evan asked.
“Yeah, before Toby agreed to a guilty plea, many people in town decided that he was already guilty. I even lost my job,” Rex said.
“Really?” Evan feigned interest. “Where were you working?”
“The Parker Ranch.”
Trying to keep a straight face with no reaction, Evan repeated back, “The Parker Ranch?”
“Yes,” Rex said.
“As in Mckenna Parker, the person you kidnapped?” Evan asked Toby. He could tell that Toby was reluctant to speak.
After a few seconds that seemed like an eternity, Toby spoke up. “Yes, as in that Mckenna Parker. Rex had nothing to do with it. They shouldn’t have fired him, but I guess I understand.”
“Did you know Mckenna Parker?” Evan asked Toby.
“No, I didn’t work there.”
Evan caught a quick glance between Toby and Rex. What were they hiding about Mckenna? “You knew her, then, Rex, right? Since you worked there?”
