“That was interesting,” she said. “Do you think there is anything to see in the shed?”
“Anything is worth looking into. He seemed pretty chatty about Kane and Daniel.”
“He gets that way. It’s like he says something and then wishes he hadn’t and leaves quickly.”
Rory laughed. “That’s what he did. Almost like the comment about Daniel being cheap worried him. I’m not going to tell anyone, but he looked around to see if anyone heard.”
“Probably doesn’t need to get yelled at or lectured. Anyway, do you want me to go with you?”
“If you’re back, we can. He said he’d stop around five.”
“I won’t be back by then. I’ve got a call that I’ll be lucky if it ends by five. That is why I was calling now. I’ll just have Ford get me.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I can tell Rocco I can look another day.”
“Nah, you go. I know where the shed is. If I’m back I’ll come get you. I guess I forgot it was even there. It’s not that far from my building but behind some trees. I’m not sure I thought much of it or realized it was from one of the previous properties.”
“I’ll take anything right now,” he said. “My mother called me. She wants to meet you.”
“She does? Is she coming to visit? I thought you didn’t want her here.”
“A video call. I told her I’m staying longer and with you.”
“Is she upset over it?”
Was that concern in Gale’s voice? “No. She’s happy in her way. But you know, being the only child and all, we are all the other has.”
“I’d love to talk to her,” she said. “And maybe we can meet in person one day soon.”
“I hope so,” he said quietly.
He hoped for a lot of things. More than he had before.
He hated the way he had met Gale and worried that what they had now would vanish as quickly as his sister had when he got his answers.
It was just how hard they were both willing to fight for it or walk away to start over.
38
OUR ONLY PLAY
“Sorry I was running late,” Gale said at the end of the day.
“Don’t worry,” Ford said. The minute Ford put the SUV in drive, his phone rang, so he stopped to answer it. “Ridgeway.” She watched as her brother’s face paled, then turned red. “Fuck. You’re kidding me, right?” There were more words she couldn’t hear, then her brother disconnected.
“What was that? Do you need to go?”
“The DNA results just came in on Rene’s ankle bracelet. I called Friday to check and they said they hoped today.”
“What?” she asked, reaching for his arm. “Who?”
“Not a hit exactly. A male genetic match to Daniel McGregor. He was in the system from decades ago to eliminate him from a rape.”
“Meaning a male related to Daniel. So, it’s Kane?” she asked. “I mean, we thought it, but I just don’t know that I see him crawling under cars and puncturing brake lines. I want it to be someone we can identify, but the guy gets manicures all the time.”
“We know nothing more than his DNA was at the scene of the crime. You know as well as I do, that doesn’t mean guilt.”
“Ford. We don’t even know where the crime scene was. It’s on her body.”
