“I can’t believe it; there it is, the next endcap.”
“I see it.” Ben sped up and pulled in next to Evie’s car.
It was dusty, one back tire was low, but it was Evie’s car. There was a ticket under the windshield wiper blade. They both got out and walked around the Toyota.
Lainie pulled the ticket and held it up. “Three-day warning for an abandoned vehicle. Placed by a meter maid. They never would have checked the plate for a BOLO. It’s set to be towed tomorrow.”
Lainie leaned forward and peered into the driver’s-side window. Like their mother, Evie was a neat freak. The inside of the vehicle was spotless, save for a Bible on the back seat. Then again, she’d just had it detailed.
Lainie pulled out her phone. “I’ll call for a tow truck.”
“Great. I can’t wait to get inside this car.”
An hour later, the tow truck arrived. To pull the car up onto the flatbed, the driver needed to disengage the brake. He used a Slim Jim to open the driver’s door and get inside the car.
“I want to wait until we’re inside the yard to do a thorough search,” Ben said. “But how about a cursory one?”
“Sure.” Lainie popped the trunk, and Ben searched there while she checked the glove box and the car’s interior. All she found, besides the Bible, was the manual for the vehicle. She removed the Bible, intending to return it to Evie as soon as she could. Knowing Evie, the Bible was probably well used, marked up, and very important to her. The well-worn case Evie kept her Bible in bore the inscriptionHis grace is enough.
“Anything in the trunk?”
Ben shook his head. “Just an emergency road kit, tools, and first aid, that kind of thing.”
Once the car was loaded, Ben and Lainie followed the tow truck back to Long Beach. To Lainie it was one of the many incongruities of this case that they didn’t have the car keys. For some reason, Evie had Crystal’s purse and ID and her own jewelry but not her car keys.Or any other personal property belonging to Evie. And, of course, the spare keys most likely burned up in the house fire.
Lainie called Shea while Ben drove, explaining the find.
“You’re supposed to be off, taking care of your house,” Shea teased. “What are you doing out in Orange, Lainie?”
“Evie’s car was the last big missing piece. Got to get to the bottom of things. I am an impatient sort, you know that.”
“Hugh and I can’t get to the tow yard tonight. Have Isaacs record everything.”
“Of course. And I’ll call you if we find anything important.”
It was dark by the time they arrived at the tow yard. Ben followed the tow truck through the gate, and it closed behind them. He parked and they walked to where the tow truck had stopped.
Mel came out of the office. “This car is in better shape than the last one you came here for,” he said to Lainie.
“What are you still doing here Mel? Isn’t it past your bedtime?”
“Ha. Night guy called in sick. I’m getting a little OT. And I have another call for the driver.” He pointed with a piece of paper in hand toward the tow truck driver.
Meanwhile, the driver maneuvered to a relatively uncrowded portion of the lot to place the vehicle, not far from the office. Ben and Lainie watched as he unloaded the Toyota from his wrecker. When it was unhooked and in place, the driver took the paper from Mel and headed out for his next call.
“It’s all yours, guys,” Mel said. “I’m curious, what are you after?”
“Evidence,” Lainie said. “We’re hoping there’s something hidden in the car.”
“I hope you find it.” The phone rang. The office had a ringer in theyard so calls would not be missed, and Mel jogged back inside, leaving Lainie and Ben to their search.
“Will you open all four doors, the hood, and the trunk as I record this on my phone?” Ben asked.
“Sure.” Lainie hit the unlock button and opened all four doors wide. Then she lifted the hood and opened the trunk. In the trunk she found a black backpack. When she opened it, she saw the roadside emergency kit Ben had mentioned. There were flares, an emergency blanket, a tool kit, and a first aid kit inside. Under the hood was nothing but the engine.
She stepped back while Ben recorded a description of what they were doing and why.
“Is there a flashlight in the trunk?” Ben asked.
