Page 29 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
“I don’t totally remember, but I think he traded off with some other guy I didn’t know.” Tears began to run down Lily’s face. “I wish I’d never gone to the party. I wish I had agreed with Autumn that we should stay at her place and watch movies.”
“Listen to me,” Evan said, hoping to bring Lily some comfort. “We all do things that we regret, especially when we’re teenagers. It’s normal. It’s part of growing up.”
“But did you kill your best friend?”
“No,” Evan answered. “And neither did you.”
“How do you know that?” Lily asked as Mocha climbed a little more into her lap, giving her a few licks.
“Because I know that the drug you two were slipped, GHB, had a bad reaction for Autumn. She was on medications that should never be mixed with GHB, and it was lethal. The drugs killed her. Whoever gave you two the drugs killed her, and they’ll pay for it when I catch them,” Evan said. He hoped his words would help. If not now, then maybe down the road.
He was also already thinking about how he wanted to figure out who the other guy serving drinks at the party was. When hevisited the “cool” Penny Gardner, he’d have a chat with her about her guest list. For now, though, he’d put Lily through enough for the day.
Standing, Evan said, “Thank you, Lily. I know this is hard. You’re being very brave. I appreciate you talking to me. If you remember anything else, call me. You still have my card?”
“Yes.”
“Good, you can call me anytime. If it’s after hours, you’ll get an operator at the FBI switchboard, but she’ll put you through. If you need anything, let me know.” Evan took another look at Mckenna, relieved that she seemed like she was doing okay.
“Okay, I’ll call if I think of anything,” Lily said, then turned to Mckenna. “Can I pet Mocha a little bit longer?”
“Sure,” Mckenna said.
“I’ll wait for you outside,” Evan said. He was ready to call the sheriff and get to Penny Gardner’s house right now, but he wanted the license plate number of the blue Jeep Mckenna kept seeing. Then he could verify it was Rex and have a talk with him too.
Although, if Rex was threatening Mckenna, it would be hard to stay professional during that interview.
CHAPTER 19
Mckenna and Mocha stayed with Lily for a little bit longer, Lily clinging to Mocha’s neck. Part of Mckenna wanted to tell Lily about the connection she thought they had—the same kidnapper. But she knew for now, she needed to stay quiet and let Evan do his job. When the right time came, she’d tell her more.
On her way out, Lily’s father stopped her and Mocha. “Do you think it was him?” he asked.
“Him? You mean Toby Hanson?”
“Yes.”
“I really don’t know,” Mckenna said truthfully. “I’m sorry. I wish I had more answers for you.”
“If it was, I swear, I’ll kill that son of a bitch.”
Mckenna took a deep breath. “I can’t understand how you feel, but I do know how Lily feels and right now. She needs you to just be there for her, rather than plotting the death of someone who may or may not be the suspect. She wants you by her side through the good and the bad. And trust me, there will be a lot of bad ahead, but in some ways the saying that time heals is true. I’ve given you resources including some great family therapists. I suggest you reach out to them for Lily, and for you.”
Mckenna gave his arm a soft squeeze, hoping he would take her advice. She remembered her father saying a similar thing and it was one of the hardest things Mckenna had ever listened to. He had been venting to her mom, not knowing that she could hear, but she’d heard.
I felt like I made him into someone he wasn’t. I felt like it was all my fault. Now I know better.
Mckenna and Mocha stepped outside, closing the door behind her. Evan was waiting, pacing back and forth, running one hand through his hair. Mckenna was beginning to understand this was Evan’s tell for stress and thinking. She didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts, so she headed to her car to get it started, Mocha loaded in his crate and the AC blasting.
She started her car, turning up the cool air as the sun beat down. Even though they were at altitude, which was cooler at night, they were literally closer to the sun, which made the heat feel more intense. Like the intense look she knew she was receiving from Evan.
Mckenna turned toward him. “I’m going to Penny Gardner’s house with you.”
“No, you’re not. It’s too dangerous. I need to go there with the sheriff.” Evan had stopped pacing and now had his hands in his pockets. “But I would like to get the license plate number from you.”
“Why do you think it’s dangerous? Penny gave minors liquor and was stupid, but she’s not going to hurt anyone.”
“You don’t know that.”
