“At least three different witnesses remember seeing a man they didn’t know walking around their neighborhood in the days and weeks before the fire. But they all had differing recollections of what he looked like.”
Captain frowned. “That’s not much.”
“I know. There’s more. I was able to get a possible line on Rogers.”
He sat up in his seat. “You’re still poking that angle, huh?”
“There’s more to his story. I traced down a storage unit he rents on the edge of town. The last time he was there was the day after I saw him at that nightclub. I’m going to sit on it to see if he’ll show up there again.”
“Be careful with all of this, Don. You don’t go at this by yourself. I asked you to play all of this close to the chest, considering we can’t fully trust Murray given his track record with this case. But I don’t like the idea of you chasing this down solo.”
I shook my head. “I’m always careful. Besides, Carter backs me up when I need it.”
I didn’t tell my Captain about Jocelyn helping out because the fewer people who knew of her involvement, the better. Though she helped a lot with this case, my primary goal was always to keep her safe.
“Make sure you are,” Captain said angrily. “Any evidence you find, bring it to me. I want everything run up the chain of command the right way. When we find this bastard, I want the department to be able to charge him with no problems.”
“If he lives to see a courtroom.” I stood.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Thanks, Captain.”
He went to pick up his phone. “Don,” he called right before I reached the door.
Turning, I saw as he dipped his head toward the floor.
“You’re dripping silly string and confetti on my floor.”
I spotted the trail of confetti that followed me to the door. “Assholes,” I mumbled.
“I’ll check you jackasses later. I have to make a stop for dinner.” I waved over my shoulder at Carter, Eric, and Sean. Behind my back, I heard a bunch of kissy-face noises, and I grinned, tossing my middle finger over my shoulder.
Truthfully, their teasing didn’t bother me. I’d griped about love and all that romantic stuff when it was them falling for the women in their lives. Being on the other side of it, I knew I’d been wrong as hell.
That was the reason I was headed over to Jocelyn’s mother’s house.
Jocelyn
“I’m on my way, Mama. Is there anything you want me to pick up from the store?” I shut off the last light in my office and headed for the door.
“Girl, you wouldn’t know a can of peas from a cantaloupe.”
I laughed. “That’s cold, Mama. But you’re probably right.”
“I know I’m right, which is why it’s strange I haven’t seen you in a few weeks. What happened to you coming over for my home cooking?” She asked right as I exited the building and started for the parking lot.
I fumbled for the right words to explain my absence. Finally, I said, “Um, you know, work has been busy.” I grimaced at the lie as I reached my car.
“Mm-hmm, eating all that take out isn’t good for you. You know how much salt those places put in their food.”
“I know, Ma. I make sure to eat at the healthier spots.” That wasn’t a total lie, so I breathed a little easier as I started my car. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“We’ll be here when you get in.”
The weight of the phone in my hand felt heavy even as I dropped it into the passenger seat before heading out of the parking lot. I started in the direction of my mother’s. The conversation with my mother replayed in my mind.
Don.
