Page 24 of Last Seen Alive
“Not necessarily sure about that. Some are very concerned with how things look, not how they actually are.” He paused and sipped his beer, stared across the lawn for a few seconds. “If I requested that Sergeant Graves assign you this case, would you be able to remain objective?”
She’d been asked that question so many times in her career—would likely hear it again. Small towns… Suppose the odds were in favor of stumbling across a person she knew during a murder investigation. “I would.”
“See, I thought you’d say that, and I believe you”—he tipped the top of the bottle toward her—“not because that’s what you’re telling me, but because I’ve seen you in action. I know you’ve been put in unpleasant personal situations before that tested your resolve to the badge.”
“I have been.” At least two instances came to mind. The first had been eighteen months ago, give or take, when her mother had admitted to murdering a man. Amanda could have tried to hide it, but she’d been there to turn her mother in. Then in March, she had solved an investigation involving a former friend whose wife was murdered.
Buchanan set his bottle back on the table and steepled his fingers. “Leave this with me. Hunter won’t go before a judge any sooner than Monday.”
“He won’t, but he’s in the cells. Isn’t there anything we can do?”
“Unfortunately, not yet. I need to talk to Sergeant Graves and do some thinking. I trust you will accept that.” Delivered dry and matter-of-fact. His decision wasn’t open for debate. She’d pushed this as far as she could.
“Thank you.” She got up and could have left it there, but she couldn’t help but ask, “When do you think you’ll have made a decision?”
“By Monday, latest.”
In case she had any question about the finality of his resolve, him putting his sunglasses back over his eyes signaled their conversation was over. She saw herself out, going through a side gate to the front. What the heck was she supposed to do now? Her hands were tied any way she looked at it. Even as she thought of Logan and his pleas, pictured him trapped in a jail cell, there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t even take care of his wish to inform Claire’s sister about her murder. Amanda’s mind was screaming for her to back up from that cliff, and this time she was going to listen. After all, what if the woman didn’t turn out to be Claire Hunter but someone else altogether? And what if Logan had killed her? Then Amanda’s career would be over, and she’d have no one else but herself to blame.
NINE
Amanda had no choice but to pick up Zoe and leave the case alone. She didn’t want to jeopardize the investigation in any way. Notifying Claire’s sister was out, as was tracking down her father in prison. A visit to him might provide insight into Claire’s past, but she didn’t even know his full name, never mind where he was serving time. Finding that out would require running a report, which Graves could track, and then would the father even speak to Amanda or offer anything helpful to the current investigation? Regardless, for now, she was done. It was the respectful decision. After all, Buchanan had asked her to wait until Monday. She should just put the murder and Logan out of her mind and spend time with Zoe and other members of her family.
She pulled away from the Buchanans’ house, planning to drive to Kristen’s. Her phone rang. Becky.
“So, did you get laid?”
“I wish.”
“Oh no, what happened? Everything seemed to be going so well between you.”
To answer Becky’s question right now would suck too much energy, and even though Becky was a police officer with the Dumfries Police Department, Claire’s murder was an open investigation as far as Amanda was concerned. “Possibly another time.”
“Possibly? I’m your best friend.”
“I’ll tell you, just not now. Have a great weekend, Beck. We’ll talk next week.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
Amanda hung up, wishing there was a workaround to her predicament. A way to do something productive to help Logan, but she had to be smart about things too. Little good it would do him, or her, or Zoe, if Amanda lost her job. Then they’d all be up that proverbial creek.
She drove to Kristen’s, only feeling a little guilt at the thought of Logan in a cell. His being there wasn’t her fault. And she was doing whatever she could to help him. Right now that meant doing nothing.
She pulled into her sister’s driveway and went through the front door, after knocking softly and calling out, “Kristen!”
Footsteps pounded throughout the house—on the main level and second story. From the sound of it only one set was coming her way.
It was her sister Kristen and, as always, she looked flawless. Amanda couldn’t remember catching her looking bad once—well, maybeoncewhen she was down with a bad cold.
“Wow. I didn’t expect to see you for hours,” Kristen said.
“Change of plans.”
Kristen smiled. “I like it. Have time to sit out back, soak up the sun?”
“Sure. Why not?” Amanda smiled, but she was curious why Zoe hadn’t come to say hello. Kids really grew up too quickly, and maybe it was already happening. Amanda being home wasn’t the huge highlight it used to be.Bummer.
“Want anything to drink? I’m having iced tea, and I just made a big jug. I can get you a glass…”
