Page 35 of Let Her Run

"Yeah, man, but it was for a job. I didn't do anything wrong."

"Can anyone account for your whereabouts yesterday night after eight p.m.?" According to Roger's neighbor, she saw him very much alive at eight, so the running theory was that Roger had to have died in the night.

"Yeah," Mike said, "I was with my girl all night and this morning, slept in late even."

Jake nodded, considering Mike's alibi. It was possible that he was telling the truth, but Jake wasn't one to take chances, especially not in a case like this.

"Okay, we'll need to verify that," Jake said, taking out his notepad to jot down some information. "What's your girlfriend's name and number?"

Mike rattled off the information, then added, "Look, I really didn't do anything wrong. I don't know anything about any murders."

Jake regarded him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright, Mike. You're free to go for now. But don't leave town, and be available if we need to follow up with you."

Mike nodded, his expression still tinged with fear. "Yeah, okay. Anything to help, man."

Jake watched as Mike disappeared down the hall. Hopefully, Fiona was having better luck with the computers.

Something around here had to give them a concrete answer.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Fiona stood before the computer terminal in another section of the office, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she delved deeper into the company's records. She knew that Jake was counting on her to find something – anything – that would help them connect the dots. She had to stay focused. There were people relying on her--it was about more than Jake. The killer was out there, and with how fast his timeline was escalating, Fiona knew it was only a matter of time before another victim was chosen.

As she sifted through file after file, a sudden rush of adrenaline hit her chest.

A familiar name caught her eye: Glen Hartwell.

What the...

But Glen was the one victim who hadn't contacted Insect Away Home. He'd gone with Pest Control Pros.

And yet here his name was, clearly logged into their system.

They had previously believed he had no connection to Insect Away Home, but there it was, in black and white – Glen had received a quote for their services but never followed up. It seemed the quote was higher than what the other company was offering.

Even still, Glen had contacted the company. He had put himself on their radar.

"Gotcha," Fiona whispered under her breath, her pulse quickening as the potential implications of this new information began to sink in. If Insect Away Home was indeed connected to all three murder victims, then this was huge.

Fiona quickly printed out the relevant information and hurried through the building to find Jake, her thoughts a whirlwind of possibilities. They had a new lead, but with it came even more questions – and an ever-growing sense of unease. Even if this company was the connection, why were Glen, Sharon, and Roger specifically chosen? Insect Away Home had many clients, and yet these three were murdered. Fiona couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the verge of uncovering something huge, but she just wasn't quite there yet.

As Fiona rounded the corner, she spotted Jake still in the midst of a conversation with a worker. The warehouse's dim lighting cast ominous shadows on their faces, highlighting the tension that hung heavy in the air. She clutched the printouts tightly in her hand, her heart thudding against her ribcage.

"Jake," she called out, her voice wavering slightly as she approached the two men. "I found something."

Jake's gaze snapped from the employee to Fiona. He excused himself from the employee and strode over to her.

"Talk to me, Red," he said, the urgency clear in his tone.

Fiona hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the employee, who watched them with equal parts curiosity and apprehension. "Not here," she muttered, pulling Jake aside to an empty corner of the warehouse.

"Alright, what have you got?" Jake asked, his brow furrowed in anticipation.

"Look at this," Fiona said, handing him the documents. "Glen Hartwell got a quote from Insect Away Home before deciding to go with another company. They're connected to all three victims now."

"Damn," Jake muttered, scanning the papers. "This changes things. We can't rule out any of the employees anymore. It might not even be one of the exterminators; it could be someone else within the company."

Fiona nodded, her thoughts racing. "We need to check everyone – background, alibis, access to the poison."

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