“And you’re sure they wouldn’t share the code with anyone else?”
“No one.” Megan’s expression tightened. “Wait, are you saying my parents are involved in this somehow?” Her nostrils flared.
An urge to shelter her from Micha’s questioning had Reid stepping between them.
“I’m sure Micha doesn’t think your parents did anything wrong.” Reid purposefully kept his tone soft. “Fowler could’ve somehow conned it and the key out of them. Maybe you should call them and ask.”
“They’re on a cruise.” She rubbed her hands over her arms. “I hate to bother them unless absolutely necessary.”
“How long have they been gone?” Micha asked.
“A week.”
Micha kept his focus pinned to her. “Do you know if they took your keys with them?”
“Doubtful. There would be no point.” She took a slight step away. “They hang them on a hook by their back door. They can never remember the security code, so they put it on a tag on the ring. I never thought it would be a problem because if someone took the keys, they wouldn’t know whose house they were for, but…”
“But if Fowler’s been planning this for a while, he likely knows who your parents are.” Reid turned to Micha. “Can you—”
“Head over to their house and check?” Micha answered, as he often did before Reid posed a full question. “I’ll need the address.”
“I’ll get some paper and write it down for you.” Megan charged out of the room as if Fowler himself were chasing her.
“Let’s finish our search of the property so you can get on your way while I report this to the locals.” Reid held out his hand to direct Micha into the hallway.
He made the move but then paused. “Good thing the parents went on vacation.”
Reid didn’t like Micha’s expression, but he’d had the same thought. If Megan’s parents had been home and Fowler wanted the keys, he might’ve killed them.
Reid stepped onto the back patio to begin the exterior search. “If I need you, might you be able to spell me tonight at the hospital?”
“And then maybe get a few minutes of sleep?” His sarcasm flowed liberally in his words.
“Sorry. I know this is going to be a long day for you too.”
“No worries, I’m good to help. Just have to give you a hard time about it.” He arched an eyebrow.
Reid rolled his eyes, and Micha grinned. Bandit perked up but Reid signaled for him to stay put, before he stepped into the hallway with Micha.
Holding out a slip of paper, Megan joined them. “I don’t get why Fowler went to all the trouble of getting the key and code. It would only take a few seconds to place the hat and card, so why not break in, drop it, then run?”
Reid shared a knowing look with Micha, warning his teammate not to answer. Reid believed that Fowler hoped the police would think this was a hoax and wouldn’t take it seriously enough to protect Megan. Then Fowler could have his way with her.
Right now, Reid was certain that included physically hurting—if not killing—both her and Ella.
7
Megan shivered. Her house wasn’t cold. Not by any means. Detective Wilson’s insinuation that she’d planted the cap and card herself for attention had given her a chill. She’d told him she was at the hospital during that time, and he agreed to check her alibi, but she honestly didn’t know if a nurse had come into the room then or not, as Megan had been sleeping on a cot next to Ella’s bed.
She glanced at Reid for comfort, and he cast her a knowing look. Yeah, he’d warned her of the detective’s potential response.
She took a fortifying breath and looked the detective square in the eyes. “I would have no reason to leave the cap and card in my house. One of the last things I want to remember is that bank robbery.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Cash,” Wilson said earnestly. “I have to consider all avenues and since we have no proof Norman Fowler even entered your home, we have to investigate all key holders for the residence. You said the only people with a key are you and your parents, and they’re on a cruise so that leaves you.”
Megan clenched her hands. “And I also told you I was at the hospital during the intrusion, and we think their keys had to be stolen.”
“Again, you don’t know that for sure at the moment, but we will certainly check out their residence to confirm it and your alibi.” He spoke like he might believe her, but his eyebrows were drawn close together, and his face tight. “I’ll also have forensics process the cap and card for fingerprints. This place too. And if my lieutenant agrees that we have the funds, we’ll also test for DNA.”
