He stared at a spot on the white colored wall on the other side of the room. Who had he met in the past few weeks? Only one name came to mind. “Jennie.”
Brandon lowered his cell phone. “That doesn’t make sense. Eddie’s focused on Zoey, not Jennie. He wouldn’t care what your relationship is with her mother. Unless…”
“Unless we’re right and there’s a second suspect unrelated to the internet crime against Zoey.” He flinched. Maybe their earlier theory at the coffee shop hadn’t been far off. But who? “Do you have any more info on Jennie’s background?”
His partner shook his head. “Nothing. There’s a glitch in the online system and I keep playing phone tag with the detective in Indiana. Since it was background only, I hadn’t pushed to get the information.”
“I’d say it’s time for a hard shove.” David ran a hand through his hair. Staring at the cockroaches, he cringed. Man, he hated those little critters. “We have to find out if she has any enemies.”
The wheels of Brandon’s chair squealed as he rolled behind his desk. “On it.”
The CSU team arrived, and David gladly moved to an unoccupied desk.
Pinewood Shores might be small, but the police department shared a CSU unit with two other neighboring towns. Something he was extremely thankful for. He’d collected his own evidence in the past when needed but preferred to hand off the job to a team trained specifically for that task.
Brandon leaned his hip against the corner of David’s borrowed desk. “Finally got a hold of the detective. He’s pulling together the information I requested and promised to send it to me tomorrow morning.”
David leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “Why not tonight?”
“Something about power outages due to a storm and everyone available is tasked with public safety. And for a bit of good news, the signed warrant for Winters is on its way.”
“At least you connected with Indiana.” David sat up. The back of the chair thunked to the upright position. “Let’s focus on Eddie and then we can turn our attention to whoever doesn’t like me.”
His partner studied him for a long moment then nodded. “Just watch your back. Call me if you need help.”
“Will do.” He gathered his papers and stood. “I think I’ll head home and get some rest before we serve the warrant tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Brandon meandered to his desk and logged off his computer. “Take it easy, Whitman.”
“You too, Pierce.” He watched his partner say goodnight to Bethany and push through the double doors at the entrance.
David rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. His shoulders slumped. Questions swirled in his mind. Who hated him? What had he done? He closed his eyes. The biggest question of all, would this be the case that cost him his life or the life of another?
***
Jennie held the mouthpiece of her phone over her head, kissed Zoey on the forehead, then shooed her off to bed while waiting for David to answer her call. Her friend Bethany, who worked for the police department as a receptionist, called her a few minutes ago about David’s surprise delivery. The story had given Jennie the creeps. Unable to stop worrying, she gave in and dialed his number.
“Hello?” David’s voice filtered over the phone line.
“Bethany told me what happened. Are you okay?”
“I assume you’re talking about the Coach Roach pizza.” His breath hissed across the connection.
“Yes.” Jennie shivered. Creepy crawlies in or on her food would give her nightmares.
“I wasn’t too fond of the topping that’s for sure.” He chuckled.
“It’s just downright disgusting. Do you know who sent it?” She tugged the ponytail holder from her hair and ran her fingers through the strands.
“Not a clue. Someone ordered it online and sent it to the station. The pizza place claims it was purchased by James Smith.”
“Who’s James Smith?”
“Someone who doesn’t want to be identified. Pick a common name and no one knows. Kinda like John Doe.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you today.” She clutched the phone to her ear and ambled to her bedroom. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Thanks, but I’m fine.”
