Page 92 of Last Seen Alive
“Let’s the hell hope not. And maybe Mona isn’t so innocent when it comes to her late husband’s demise. Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing a single picture of him anywhere in the house. Though maybe that doesn’t mean anything.” She was sorry she’d brought up that point the moment she had. She didn’t have a bunch of photos on display of Kevin and Lindsey. She had a family portrait in her bedroom, but that was all. Would it still be there eight years from now? Hard to say, and Mona could have her pictures of Martin secreted away.
“Still, I think that woman is sketchy.”
“What came back from Metro PD?”
“The original lead on the case spoke to Rita, but from what I see didn’t find anything suspicious about her. It didn’t help that she had an alibi. She was at the charity event the night of the murder, where several people spotted her.”
“Isn’t that convenient? She probably lulled her stepfather from the event to his building.”
“Feels like it. And I think it would be worth our time talking to Leanne. We could ask her about Martin.”
“We can. Tomorrow.” It was too late to drive to Washington and back tonight. In fact, a rumble in her stomach had her looking at the clock. It was going on nine at night. “Let’s catch some rest and start fresh.”
“Sure. Not much else happening tonight.” He got up and left.
Something was weighing on him, and she wasn’t sure exactly what, but ever since they spoke to Brianna it felt like the case had become personal to him. She couldn’t think of any direct correlations to Trent’s life—unless the talk of domestic violence and sexual abuse had his mind weighed down with thoughts about his aunt.
THIRTY-FOUR
Amanda didn’t pick favorites among her family, but her brother-in-law Erik was taking a lead. It didn’t faze him to slap a nice chunk of beef onto the barbecue with a cob of corn—just for her—after nine at night, no less. She was satisfied and happy, but not at ease. There was this dread crawling over her skin and burrowing into her gut. It had something to do with the case, that note left on her doorstep, leaving Brianna at the hotel. She sure hoped that Wyatt and whoever came on for the following shift watched her room and not just the parking lot. Saving grace was she and Trent had only found Brianna by tracking the taxis Claire took. Guess it depended on how closely the killer was sticking to Claire, whether he followed her to Brianna’s hotel.
Zoe was in the passenger seat and hyper. It was going to be a challenge getting her into bed tonight, but once the child surrendered, Amanda suspected she’d fall hard. She had her stuffed dog, Lucky, in her lap, but it was getting less attention every day. Amanda saw that as a good sign. When Zoe’s parents were murdered last fall, she’d had the doll with her, and Amanda believed it had taken on the qualities of a talisman to the girl.
Amanda passed lots of looks in the rearview mirror as she drove. She was becoming obsessed thinking about silver Toyota Camrys and spotting them everywhere. She could swear that she saw one after leaving her sister’s, but she hadn’t seen it since.
She pulled into her driveway and got out of the car and went around to Zoe’s side. She was already out, a huge grin on her face, rocking her little torso side to side. “Thanks for letting me play with Ava.”
“You’re very welcome, sweetie.” But Amanda wasn’t winning any parenting awards tonight. Zoe had school tomorrow, and it was already way past the girl’s bedtime. She glanced over a shoulder, doing her best to keep it as discreet as possible. A light-colored vehicle was parked under a maple tree down the block. Was it a silver Camry? Was there someone inside? Amanda felt chills run through her, and the night was warm. “Let’s get you inside.”
Zoe rushed and tripped over her feet, lunged forward, but managed to keep herself upright. Lucky went flying a few feet ahead of her, and she fumbled over him and started laughing. The sound was contagious, and it had Amanda smiling too despite this bad feeling rolling through her.
She and Zoe went inside, the girl taking off down the hall toward her bedroom. Amanda peeked through the window in the front door. Definitely a sedan. Silver. Could be a Camry. There was a person behind the wheel.
She had to get Zoe out of there. She called Becky who agreed to collect Zoe from the back gate in five minutes.
Next call was to Trent. He said he’d be right there. Amanda told him to hang back and not spook the guy.
“Mandy? Where are you?”
Amanda went to Zoe’s bedroom and found her changed for bed already.Figures…“Honey, there’s something I need you to do. Interested in another adventure tonight?”
“I guess.” A big yawn.
Of all the nights for the girl to admit she was tired and cave, it had to be this one. “Becky’s going to come get you for a sleepover.”
“Why?”
Amanda did her best to think fast. “She misses you.”
“Okay.” She slouched, her arms dangling long at her sides. “Do I need to change?”
“No, just go as you are. But I’m going to pack you some clothes for school.” Amanda was doing her best to keep calm and rational while thoughts rushed her to move faster. Who knew when that creep from the car would make his move? He had told her to stop days ago now, and she hadn’t. She had Zoe to think about, and she wasn’t taking any chances with her daughter’s life or her own.
There was the pinhole of light—small enough to be from a phone’s flashlight—at the back gate by the time Amanda had Zoe corralled.
“All right, sweetie. Becky’s there. See?” Amanda gestured. She’d walk Zoe to the fence line, but she didn’t want to leave the house in case the man got inside. When he did, she wanted to be ready for him.
Her phone pinged with a text from Becky.Be careful.
