“You’re assuming they’d still be murdered.”
“Because I don’t believe Tyler is guilty.”
“Who else had motive, access, and opportunity? Who else is smart enough to make Tyler look guilty? And why frame him?”
“Who else connects to both victims?”
“That’s the question.” Joe pulled his laptop closer and started typing. “Both women lived here for most of their lives. Both were part of the same friend group. Both worked in town.”
“What about their personal lives? Relationships? Conflicts?”
“Sheila was twice divorced. Shane Jenkins doesn’t live in the state, and as far as I can tell, they haven’t had contact since the divorce was finalized. Rusty Jones has a temper, clearly, but he also has an alibi. He was visiting relatives out of town the weekend Sheila died. He knew Monique, since Sheila and her had been friends during their rocky marriage, but he has an alibi for that night too. He was working an overnight shift at the factory.”
Brooke thought about Rusty’s hands around Tyler’s throat, about the rage in his eyes. She could see him doing it, but his alibis sounded solid. “What about Monique?”
“Never married. No kids. Lived alone. She’d worked at her aunt’s store off and on since she was in high school. She and Sheila maintained their friendship, often going to bars and different events. We know Sheila mentioned a few people from the old gang going out when she was talking to Tyler at the bank.”
“Yeah. Edi mentioned that too.”
Joe scrolled through his notes. “Both women were strangled. Same method. Location of the crime is unknown. Same type of dump site—remote, no witnesses, bodies found later.”
“Which suggests the same killer.”
“Right. And that killer knew the area well enough to hide bodies where they wouldn’t immediately be found, knew both victims well enough to get close to them, and had the physical strength to overpower them.”
Brooke sighed. “Tyler fits all of that.”
“Probably dozens of people do, but not all of them have history with both of them, even if it is ancient history.”
“Then we need to find those dozens of people.”
Joe studied her for a long moment. “You really think he’s innocent.”
“I think someone’s lying. And I think we need to find out who.”
Chapter 30
Tyler
Tyler was halfway through an oil change on Monday afternoon when Robert appeared in the bay doorway. He’d been tempted to ask Robert about the change in hiking plans, but couldn’t come up with a reason that wouldn’t sound out of left field and like he was accusing Robert.
“You’ve got a visitor,” Robert said. “Joe Monroe.”
Tyler straightened, wiping his hands on a shop rag. “The journalist?”
“That’s the one. He’s in the office.”
“Did you tell him I’m working?”
Robert shrugged. “I told him you were due for a break. I’ve read some of the pieces he’s put out about this. I think he’s fair. And I know he’s a friend of Brooke’s.”
Tyler let out a breath. If Robert had played any part in Sheila’s death, he wouldn’t want an investigative reporter hanging around, would he? Tyler didn’t think so...unless somehow Robert was using Joe as part of the frame job.
Whether Robert was involved or not, Tyler knew he had to be careful. Journalists brought questions, speculation, and stories that twisted facts to sell papers. He had learned that when Jen died. Joe, though, was different.
As Robert had said, he was Brooke’s friend. He was part of the running club, someone she trusted. That should count for something. At least he hoped.
“Okay. Guess I’ll talk to him.” Tyler nodded, wondering if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
