“What if the faint tread was Zoe’s…” My pulse picks up. “And the strong tread was another car.”
Callum narrows his eyes. “Why would you think that?”
“It’s possible, right?”
He sits back, jaw ticking once, considering me. Then he takes the photo from the desk and examines it closely. “Ingram said there was very low light that day out there. And it was misting.”
“So that’s why the photos are awful?”
He glances up at me for a beat, reading me, making a decision on whatever my features are telling him, then drops his gaze again, scrutinizing the photo. “It wasn’t raining here that day. But Northern California is known for its microclimates.” He glances up at me again, and something in his gaze is different.
He hands me the photo. “I’m not sure you’re going to get much from this, but you’re right in saying it’s not conclusive. I’m sure you’ll find the other evidence is thorough. Unless there’s something strange back from the autopsy? Ingram obviously didn’t process that since it’s just in.”
“Or maybe everyone in town just wants it closed for the sake of her parents?” I ask.
Oops. I meant to tread lightly.
For the first time ever, Callum’s relaxed nature shifts. “Even a small-town chief of police wouldn’t allow that in his station.”
I overstepped. “I didn’t mean you; I meant…”
“This isn’t Podunk, Freya. We do things by the book.” He stands.
I blew it.
“Which is why you need to keep it open and see what you see. Follow your gut and…do it quietly. We follow procedure in small towns, but we do it with compassion. Finesse. You get my drift?”
“In other words, don’t talk to her family until I’ve exhausted all other options.”
“That and…” Just then, Ingram enters the office. “…Be conscious of teamwork.”
Ingram steps inside with a stack of files tucked under one arm. His gaze flicks to the manila folder on my desk, then to Callum, then finally to me.
Something cold ripples under my skin.
“Morning,” he says, voice neutral.
Callum straightens. “We were just talking shop.”
Ingram’s gaze sharpens a degree. “About the Marshall case?”
My pulse stutters. Callum answers with authority.
“Officer Johnson is going to do some cross-checks. It won’t be often she gets a chance to evidence a case like this. It’s a learning opportunity.” He glances at me, and I know I need to let this be his idea and not mine. “I want her to treat it like it was hers from the start.”
Ingram nods, but the muscle in his jaw jumps. The small tick hits me like a pinprick. Is he pissed?
Ingram nods. “Any questions, feel free to come to me.”
“I’ll make sure to loop you in,” I tell him, trying to sound more confident than I feel right now.
His eyes hold mine a beat too long, then he nods and moves toward his desk.
Nobody likes being second-guessed.
The minute he’s gone, Callum leans in just enough that only I can hear.
“Take your lunch early. Head out to the quarry. Daylight’s better there in the afternoon.”
