“What do you mean ‘visits’?”
“Look, when you live like I do you learn how to move among the world without being seen.” He paused and looked away. It was clear that Buck had seen more than one person should.
“Have you seen anyone visit recently?” Katie tried to keep on topic no matter how curious she was about the reclusive man.
“Yes.”
“At the construction site?”
“Yes.”
“What did they look like?”
“It was a man, tall, slim. Always wore dark clothing,” he said.
“Young or old? Can you tell me anything more distinguishing about him?” Katie was starting to get a bit annoyed. Buck had taken quite a chance abducting her and he wasn’t giving her information that was very helpful.
“I would guess by their movement they are middle aged. I couldn’t see his face just their body. He moved with strategy.”
“What do you mean ‘strategy’?”
“Like he had a plan, but moved slowly to enjoy it.”
“Was he at the area where the three bodies were found?”
“Yes. He seemed to visit that exact area numerous times. I didn’t write the dates and times down, but it was almost weekly. It was strange. It was like he was visiting a grave, paying respect.”
“Even before they began clearing the trees and grading the property?”
“Yes.” Buck looked away.
“Why are you telling me this?” Katie studied him, looking for some type of indication of whether he was telling the truth. She was unsure. Partly due to the fact she couldn’t see his face or any slight mannerisms beneath the layers of clothing.
“Because I’m a witness to someone lurking around the grave of three people.”
“Did you see us investigating?”
“Yes. I watched from an area that wouldn’t be seen. Even when the drone deployed, there was no way it would see me.”
Katie made note of the word “deployed” and the fact that he had been close enough to see the investigation, which meant that his cabin had to be close too.
“Do you know the Collins family?”
He didn’t give an answer.
“Do you know who Meredith and Misty Collins are?”
This was the first time Buck didn’t answer candidly.
“That’s not why I brought you here,” he said.
Katie raised her voice. “What do youwantto tell me?”
“I told you.”
“About some man dressed in black visiting the graves? That’s not all you know.” Katie was being brazen, but she knew from their brief interaction that Buck wasn’t about to hurt her… or anyone else. He just wanted to be left alone. She respected his choice of lifestyle, but she needed to know what he knew.
“Please, if you know anything, tell me,” she said, moving a little bit closer to him.
