Page 38 of 1st Shock
"If you're calling to tell me about the serial killer, Charlize”—Dad never says hello, just jumps right in as if we've been having a conversation all along—"I already saw it on the news."
"Hi, Dad," I say pointedly. "I'm good, how are you?"
He snorts at my reminder to have manners, and I laugh. "Actually, I'm calling about the woman I mentioned earlier this week. Juanita. I have DNA matches I'd like you to look into, see who they turn up and contact the most likely candidates to help us figure out her parentage."
Dad's been retired from the Army for nearly fifteen years. He was career military, and he's the one I've gotten many of my traits from, from my slender build to my need for organization and rules.
"Done." He's worked other cases like this with me and needs no further instructions. "Send them to me and I'll start right away."
"I'll have Haley"—I stop, remembering she's not in the office and for good reason. I should probably check on her this afternoon, at least send a text and see how she's doing. Meg probably already has. "I'll email them to you."
"Now, what about this serial killer?"
I have a lot of work to do this afternoon and evening but seeing my dad might help me feel less agitated and angry. "Can you come over for dinner? I don't have time to make anything, but I can order pizza. I'll show you all the files and my notes."
"Cripes. Your mom is dragging me to some fundraising event tonight. She's insisting I wear my uniform. Can you believe it?"
Of course, I can. Though he complains, Dad loves to dress up with all of his medals and bars. "Wear it and have a good time. Kiss mom for me."
I drop off Yvonne's kit and get to the office before Devante is due. Someone has started a fresh pot of coffee, the scent pleasantly filling my nose as I enter the back door. Normal, that's what it feels like.
Music is coming from Meg's work area. Matt is in the conference room having cleared the table. He brought in the landline from Haley's desk and is fielding calls. I give him a wave in greeting as I pass, and he calls out, "They're on your credenza."
Meaning the files. I'll have to haul them home tonight to start going through them again. I plop into my chair, tuck my purse away, and glance at the background check I requested.
At three o'clock, I'm sitting on the edge of Haley's desk, waiting for our guest to arrive. The seconds tick by on the wall clock. I still haven't purchased a new battery for my watch and Meg's is around my wrist. I tinker with it as the second hand on the wall passes the twelve again.
Yeah, I'm a stickler for being on time. This guy is a college student, but he's no freshman. I doubt his professors put up with him being late.
At three-o-five, Meg enters with her favorite coffee mug in hand, giving me a raised brow. I shake my head. No Devante. She goes to the window and stares at the parking lot. Knowing her, she is mentally willing him to show up.
At quarter after, Matt stumbles in, handing me a couple of pink message slips. None need an immediate return call and I lay them on the desk.
"No sign of our guy?" he asks.
"Nope." I swing my legs, my heels thudding against the wood of the desk, irritation in each strike.
Meg sends me a curt glance. "Maybe he got stuck in traffic."
Or he's guilty of something.
I'm thinking back to what Matt and JJ said about exploring other options. "Matt?"
"Yeah?"
"Text Haley and ask if she knows Devante. Send her a picture in case she knows him by another name."
"Haley?" Meg's frown deepens. "Why would she know him?"
"She probably doesn't, but there's a possibility she has a stalker." It's an angle I should’ve looked at before. Both times our boy showed up, it was when Haley was here alone. "I want to rule out that our visitor isn't simply a stalker who has nothing to do with Mickey Wilson or the cold cases we're investigating."
Matt nods and points at me as he heads back to the conference room. "Smart."
Once he's gone, Meg looks outside again. "You don't really believe she has a stalker."
"Like I said, we need to rule it out. Devante's her age and she hangs around a lot at the college bars. They could’ve crossed paths at one time or another. He may be guilty of stalking but not killing anyone."
An audible sigh from Meg. "What do we do if he doesn't show?"
