“Sure thing, boss.” Nester ended the call.
Huck scratched the scruff on his chin. The vehicle smelled like Laurel—pure with a hint of oranges. “Do we need to discuss Rachel again?”
“No.”
“Fine. The timeline Nester put together for the cardiac surgeon could make sense for our murderer. He has to pay up in the civil case two months ago, the rage builds, and then he explodes with Sharon Lamber.”
Laurel sped up. “Agreed.” She cut Huck a look. “You ready for this?”
He frowned. “For what?”
In answer, she pressed a button on her phone, and the sound of dialing came through the speaker.
“Laurel, how lovely,” Dr. Abigail Caine answered in her slight British accent. “You caught me just after class, and I’m in my office wondering if I’m safe being here. Have you found the bastard stalking me?”
“Hello, Abigail. You’re on speaker with Captain Rivers and me.” Laurel changed lanes to pass a logging truck piled high with snow-covered logs. “Do you know a Dr. Joseph Keyes?”
Silence came over the line for a moment. “Joseph Keyes? Tall guy, forties, graying at the temples? Likes Scotch and drinks too much of it when he shouldn’t?” Abigail asked.
“That Joseph Keyes?”
“I have no idea. He’s a cardiologist,” Laurel said.
“Yes, that’s him. I met him last year at the charity auction given by the mayor’s wife,” Abigail said. “I found him to be rather stodgy and full of himself. You know I would much rather talk about me than anybody else. We only spoke for a few moments before I dismissed him. Why do you ask?”
Huck shifted his weapon harness beneath his jacket. It made sense that Sharon Lamber would invite her lover to the auction. “Did you see the doctor interact with Sharon Lamber or the mayor at any time?”
Abigail sighed. “Just a second. Let me run through the night.”
Huck glanced at Laurel, who nodded. Could they both do that? Remember sights and scenes with perfect recollection? He wasn’t certain that was a gift. Seemed more like a curse.
“I saw Dr. Keyes interact with many people that night, just peripherally, of course. He was not interesting to me. But now that I’m thinking about it, I did see him flirting with Sharon at the bar several times. She wore a light purple Valentino knock-off with decent Gucci heels and jewelry that was beaded and earthy, and she must’ve appealed to him for some reason. I believe her husband was also there that night. I think she introduced me to him at some point, and I made a quick exit from them.”
“The media reported that she was killed before the victim at Witch’s Creek?” Abigail sounded irritated.
“Yes. She was the first killed, but the second to be found,” Laurel said.
“Then why is this killer stalking me? I have nothing in common with someone so prosaic. Obviously she and Dr. Keyes were shagging, so maybe he’s the murderer?” Abigail snapped.
“We have a long suspect list, and Dr. Keyes is interesting to me,” Laurel murmured.
Abigail cleared her throat. “Speaking of interesting, Captain Rivers, I was hoping you’d join me for a drink this coming weekend. I owe you one for being so tardy in returning your message. I’ve been busy.”
Had she just asked him out? Though the woman was beautiful, he’d been a Fish and Wildlife officer long enough to recognize a predator when one smiled at him. “It’s kind of you to offer, but I’m busy with this case,” he said smoothly. “No time for drinks.”
“Well, then. Why don’t you find this killer so your datebook opens up?” Her chuckle was throaty and charming, yet it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. “Talk to you both soon.” She clicked off.
Laurel reached for the knob near the dash and turned up the heat as if chilled. “She won’t relent.”
“I know,” Huck said. He didn’t have time to worry about Abigail Caine right now. Even so. “Does she know that we, ah, that we—”
“Yes. I didn’t tell her, but she’s remarkably insightful,” Laurel said, her brow furrowing. “I admire that in her and in you. I don’t have the ability to read people.”
Yet Laurel was probably smarter than any of them. The last place in the entire world he wanted to find himself was caught between those two incredibly brilliant women. Maybe it was a good thing Laurel was freezing him out.
Damn it.
* * *
