Page 32 of Colton's Second Chance
“So every time one of the Fiancée Killer victims was murdered, Scott was on leave from work.” Noelle’s expression hardened. “That sounds pretty incriminating to me.”
Eli ground his back teeth. “Yeah, but it’s also circumstantial. I’m just not ready yet to make such a drastic accusation without hard evidence tying him to the crimes.” He glanced at Asher. “We need to talk to him, clear this up. I’ll call him and ask for a meeting first thing tomorrow.”
“What’d he say?” Asher asked the next morning, long before anyone else in the ABI had made it into the office.
Unable to sleep with this new information ping-ponging in his brain, Eli had come to work, only to find Asher already there.
“He was understandably curious and concerned why we wanted to talk to him, and when I told him it was a personal matter, he suggested we come to his house rather than discuss it at the office. I agreed.”
“His house?” Asher grunted. “As long as we’re going, should we get a search warrant for his house and car?”
Eli nodded. “Can’t hurt. Let’s send it to Matthews again since he just granted the one for Scott’s personnel records and is familiar with the case.”
“Right,” Asher said, turning his chair to get started on the legal forms to request the search warrant.
Eli, meantime, called Noelle and updated her. “We’re meeting with Montgomery at his house later this morning. Do me a favor and don’t go anywhere alone until we figure out who cut your brakes and why.”
She was silent for a moment but finally agreed. “Call me as soon as you get back from Scott’s?”
“I will.”
“And you be careful, too. I guess I don’t have to tell you if he is the killer, and he realizes you’ve picked up his scent, he’s likely to be dangerous.”
“I’m trained for this stuff, Noelle. But…thank you for your concern.” He gave a half grin she couldn’t see, but he poured gentleness into his tone. “It’s nice to know you care.”
She was quiet again, then said softly, “Of course I care. That’s never been the issue for us.” He heard her sigh. “But we’ll finish that talk later. Today you need to concentrate on handling Scott and solving this case. There’ll be time for our personal problems later.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
Across the room, Asher stood and grabbed his coat. “We’re on. Judge Matthews will see us in his chambers in fifteen minutes. Let’s ride.”
When Eli and Asher had the search warrant for Scott’s home and car secured, they headed to the street address listed in his personnel file, using a GPS map application as a guide.
“You’ve never been to his house before, either?” Asher asked as Eli drove. “Do you not find that odd?”
“No. There are plenty of folks at the office whose homes I haven’t been to. I got along with him well enough at the office or if he joined the group for a drink after hours, but I never considered him a close enough friend to drop by his house.”
Asher scowled.
“Look, this should go without saying,” Eli said, “but since I know you’re both interested in Kansas—”
“What!”
Eli raised a hand to stave off argument. “Dude, I have eyes. I’m not stupid. You both stare at her like she hung the moon when she’s not looking. All I was going to say is, keep an open mind. We have to keep our personal feelings about Montgomery and the possibility he’s duped us all these years in check. Be professional.”
Asher gave a nod and pressed his splayed hands on his thighs. “I know. I’m cool.”
The voice on Eli’s GPS directed him to turn, and as he did, he asked, “What’s the house number again?”
“Two twenty. That’d be it,” Asher said, bending forward for a better view through the front windshield. “I’m beginning to see why he never had us over for beers after work. That’s one of the smallest houses I’ve ever seen.”
“Don’t judge. He’s a bachelor, and a little house is all he needs. Besides, it may be bigger on the inside than it looks.” Eli parked on the street in front of the small house.
“You’re sure he’s expecting us? The windows look dark.” Asher opened the passenger door and climbed out.
“He picked the time, so he knew we were coming.” Eli got out and joined Asher on the sidewalk to the front door. The lawn was winter-dead, and the deciduous trees appeared skeletal without their leaves, but Scott’s yard was neat and trimmed, showing it had been cared for through the summer. “If he’s not here, then we let ourselves in. We have the warrant, so we’re covered.”
Eli reached the door first and knocked firmly.
