“We’re just helping.” Not that Ward knew that.
Scott cleared his throat before stepping back. “Okay. If you think you can find this psychopath. Come in.”
Joel followed Ryan into the house. An old leather couch centered the living room, with used mugs and an iPhone on the coffee table. In the kitchen, dishes were piled up in the sink and an open cereal box sat beside a bowl on the counter.
“Do you have other family?” Ryan asked.
“My aunt stayed last night. She wants me to move in with her. I’m undecided.”
Joel nodded and sat on the couch. Ryan remained on his feet.
Joel waited for Scott to lower into the armchair before he asked, “Do you know why your mother was in the forest yesterday?”
“No.” His teeth visibly ground. “I have no idea. She always has the same morning routine during the week. Grab a coffee from Bloom, go to the pharmacy.”
“You didn’t notice anything was off with her yesterday?” Ryan asked.
“No. Although, she’s seemed distracted these last few months.”
“Distracted how?” Joel asked.
“On her phone a lot. Coming home later than usual. She said work’s been busy.”
Joel frowned. She owned and ran a pharmacy. Was this a busy time at work for some reason?
“Can I ask what happened to your dad?” Ryan asked.
“He died when I was a kid. It’s just been me and Mom ever since.”
“Could the late nights and texts be about a guy?” Joel asked.
Scott shook his head. “No. She doesn’t date. Like, ever.”
Joel was tempted to tell the kid that his mother might have been dating and just not said anything, but he kept the thought to himself.
“Did she have anyone who didn’t like her?” Joel asked. “Anyone who you might have suspected wanted to hurt her?”
Again, Scott shook his head. “Everyone loved her. The only thing was…”
Joel shifted to the edge of his seat. “What?”
“Stuff at work was stressing her out. I don’t know if that’s related?” He dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t knowwhat’sgoing on!”
“We’re going to do everything we can to figure this out,” Joel told him. “I promise.”
They stayed for another fifteen minutes, asking questions, trying to get any clues into what the hell happened. Scott let them have a walk around the house, but they didn’t find anything useful.
They were outside and halfway across the lawn when a cruiser pulled up in front of the house.
Ryan cursed under his breath as Ward stepped out, cheeks red, chest puffed up.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” Ward closed the distance between them.
Deputy Cox rushed out of the car and stepped in front of Ward just before he reached them. “Easy.”
“We’re just here to get information,” Joel said.
If possible, the red in Ward’s cheeks darkened. “You have no right to any information, because this isn’t your business! It stopped being your business the second that woman was found. I should arrest you both for interfering with an active investigation.”
