“What about Patrick?”
“I don’t know anyone named Patrick.”
“He didn’t seem too happy with Sydney.”
Judy had a blank expression. “She never mentioned anyone by that name.”
We offered our condolences and said we'd be in touch. She escorted us to the door, and I said, "Don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
"Thank you, I know you will find out who killed my baby.”
"We will do our best."
"I want more than your best. I want justice."
I nodded, and we stepped outside and took the walkway back to the van. We hopped inside, and I fired up the engine.
Jack said, "I think Sydney knew her killer. I think she invited him into the apartment, and he went berserk for some reason."
"You might be right."
I drove back to the station, and we filled out after-action reports and caught the sheriff up to speed. Afterward, I found Denise at her desk and asked her to look up everyone on the sex offender registry. Recent releases between the ages of 18 and 40. Those were the highest probability matches. If this was a random attack, it probably wasn't the assailant’s first rodeo.
We left the station and set out to find Bailey.
8
Icalled Bailey.
It went to voicemail. I left a message, then sent her a text.
She messaged me back a moment later.[I'm at work. What’s going on?]
[It's about Sydney. Do you have a minute to talk?]
[I'm pretty slammed right now. Is everything okay?]
[It's better if we have this conversation face-to-face.]
[That doesn't sound good.]
[It's not.]
[What happened?]
[Where do you work?]
[Fish.]
It was an upscale seafood restaurant.
[We’ll be there in a few minutes. We'll talk more then.] I didn’t want to go into much detail over text.
We drove across the island to the posh restaurant. I pulled up to the valet, hopped out, and handed the guy a few bills. I flashed the badge and said, “We won’t be long.”
Inside, the restaurant was packed. People queued up, waiting for a table. It had just opened up a few months ago and was the talk of the island. Forks clinked against plates, and the murmur of conversation filled the air. The smell of grilled seafood wafted. Chill music filtered through speakers.
I bypassed the line at the hostess stand and flashed my badge. "I need to talk to Bailey Caldwell. Is your manager around?”
