Page 17 of Just Right

A stalker was exactly what he was,Cami thought, confused by his denial.

"I thought maybe it would work if I arrived and coincidentally met up with her. But I left before she did because she had an extra meeting with a couple of others from the drama group, to discuss one of the upcoming performances. Then I heard that there was a big crash on the highway. I didn't see her and guessed she'd been delayed. So, it didn't work out. I left after the dolphin feeding and went on to meet my life coach. I knew I should just forget about her."

Cami looked over at Connor and saw that he was regarding Nick with narrowed eyes. He looked suspicious of Nick's story.

"Did you know Leanne Hind?"

"Is she the other woman who was killed? That happened near here, I think. We have fields and trails nearby, by the lake. It was there, wasn't it?"

"Did you know her?"

"No, but I knew of her. I thought she was very beautiful. I followed her on all her social media when she posted the other day about our area. She said she was going to be highlighting some of the walks and trails. I thought that was amazing."

"So, you say that's when you followed her? Were you aware of her movements? That she was coming out here to your area the day before yesterday?"

"No," Nick said, but Cami thought it might as well have been a yes.

"Did you make a plan to be nearby there yesterday?"

Now, Nick looked shamefaced. "I wanted to. I would have made a plan. I did know she was going to be there. But I couldn’t because I had to be at work. I work long shifts, three days a week. Well into the evening. It's why I want to make a change, move into a different field."

"What work do you do?" Connor asked.

"I'm doing cab driving and transportation part-time."

"And were you busy in the afternoon, the day before yesterday, when Leanne was out on the trails?"

"Yes, I was. I was doing transportation for a function that took place downtown.”

“What did that involve?”

“When the people finished at the function, they all had to be taken back to their hotels. So, I was driving nonstop from two p.m. through to about nine p.m. I can show you the route because it's mapped out on my GPS and dashcam. It was boring. Go to the venue, wait, pick up guests, take them to their hotel, and come straight back. I had to check in at each point with my GPS location. They insisted on that, or I didn’t get paid."

"Where's your phone?"

He glanced at a bag near one of the deck chairs. "It's in there."

"Let's have a look. Open it up for me."

He undid Nick's handcuffs and watched the man closely as he got up, gripping the towel, walked to the bag, and rummaged through it, producing an old-looking phone, which he opened.

"That's where I was," Nick pointed. "I can show you the route I took, the streets I drove. I can show you the time I picked up and dropped off the last of the guests. Then I signed off. It's all here." He swiped the screen and pointed again.

Cami was longing to know if there was any incriminating evidence on that phone, but the question didn't arise, because when Connor checked the mapping log and his cab bookings, he gave a reluctant nod.

Cami knew this meant he was not in the area when Leanne was killed. Since it was a serial, with those blue silicone bracelets left at the scenes, this meant he was cleared. She felt a thud of disappointment. She'd been so sure this was their man.

"You can go," Connor told him. "And stay out of trouble, you hear? Next time a cop or an FBI agent wants to speak to you, the smart thing to do is to cooperate."

He sounded annoyed, and Cami could see why, as Nick hurried off, looking relieved. Now, Connor was soaked to the skin. But luckily, if she knew her boss, he'd have a full change of clothes in the car.

"I'm going to get my bag," Connor said, confirming Cami's theory. "Wait here."

Connor stomped, or rather squelched, in the direction of the car. As soon as he'd left, his phone, which he'd left by the side of the pool with his gun belt, began ringing.

She edged over and took a look at the screen.

It was the office number on the line. She recognized it. That must mean Ethan was calling, and Cami wished she could pick up and speak to him. But answering her boss's call would be out of line.

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