“I figured and I understand. I kept waking up last night thinking about her too.”
Maya heard the dogs barking and figured the neighbor cat might be out torturing them again. She opened the back door and they both came flying in, tails happily wagging. Things had really changed in twenty-four hours. Yesterday she’d thought they would be up camping right now, relaxing and spending time together. She pointed to their kennels and both dogs gave her a disappointed look and then complied.
“I’ll feed you soon,” Maya promised them. Then turning to Josh, “What are you doing today? Do you have to work the fire response or will you be able to join us on the search for Abigail?”
“I’m helping with finding Abigail,” Josh said, taking a sip of coffee and adding some half-and-half. “Yesterday, when I had to go back to the station, I took some time to go talk to Eric. Bought him dinner.”
“That was nice of you,” Maya said. “I was thinking I might bring him breakfast.”
“He’s one spoiled detainee, that’s for sure,” Joshsaid with a smile, then continued, “We worked some more on where this former girlfriend of Marcus O’Malley might be. She could be the link that gives us information on Abigail’s partner. I have a name and address. Brought up her driver license photo and Eric is certain it’s her. I’m taking Wilson and we’re headed up to Wyoming. It’s only about an hour to an hour and a half away. I want to see if we can get some information. And I agree with Eric, I think if I called her, she might get spooked. Especially if she thought Abigail was on the loose.”
“I’ll be curious to see if you can get anything out of her.”
“I thought I’d use my charm and good looks,” Josh said, flashing Maya a smile and showing off his dimple. “I mean, it worked on you.”
Maya had to laugh at that. She shook her head and said, “Okay, one more cup of coffee and then I’m off to visit Eric. I have some questions for him.”
Maya stopped at the local coffee shop and bought some breakfast sandwiches and more coffee, because there was no such thing as too much caffeine. She knew Pops would probably already be at the station so she made sure she had food and a drink for him too. Josh and Deputy Wilson were already headed to Wyoming. They were hoping to get answers sooner rather than later and then get home.
Juniper was in her compartment, ready to go to work again. She’d obviously slept well because she spent the drive to the sheriff’s office turning circlesand tap-dancing with her front paws intermittently. Maya knew the Mal would be upset when she left her in the compartment, but there was no way to carry food and hold the leash of a dog who would probably be spinning and jumping up and down in excitement to work.
Pops was on the phone and gave a wave of appreciation as Maya dropped off his java and food. Then she headed back to the holding area where the deputy on duty opened the door for her. Eric was the only person in a cell. Because of the location of Pinecone Junction, most detainees were transported to Fort Collins where they would get their first hearing and have bond determined. But sometimes a judge traveled to their area too. Eric, though, was staying for now per Kessler’s orders and Maya was relieved. It wasn’t how she wanted to see her father or have breakfast with him, but it was better than when he was on the run.
“Morning,” she said, as she approached his cell.
He was reading a book and looked up with a smile. “Good to see you.”
“Did Pops bring you some entertainment?”
“He did. Nice of him. Not very exciting here. I’ve asked a couple times now if I could be let out with an ankle monitor or something. I’d like to help with the search for Abigail and Hope, but I don’t think anyone trusts me,” Eric said, accepting the coffee and food from Maya.
“I wonder why,” she said with some sarcasm, but also teasing him a bit. “How many times did you escape?”
“Not that many. Once. Twice?”
“Once is one time too many,” Maya said. “Mind if I come in and join you?”
“Sure. It’s not fancy in here, but you can sit on this cold bench with me.”
“Thanks,” Maya said, walking in. The door to Eric’s cell was open and unlocked since he was the only person and there was no way out except through the locked door guarded by the deputy on duty. Maya sat down and took a bite of her sandwich. She really wanted to call Kessler, get an update and start working, but first, she had some questions for Eric. She knew he’d told Kessler everything, but Maya also figured if they chatted, maybe he’d be reminded of some small detail. And small details could break a case.
He took a bite of his sandwich too. “Delicious. And appreciated. If I’d known I would eat this well I would have turned myself in earlier.”
“Right,” Maya said, with a chuckle. She took a sip of coffee.
“While I enjoy having breakfast with my daughter, I know you well enough to know that you don’t just come in here without a reason,” Eric said.
“I’d like to tell you that’s not true, but you already know me well.”
“What can I help you with?” Eric asked, taking another bite of his sandwich, followed by some coffee.
Maya put her food and drink down. “What do you think Abigail’s next move will be? You saw her in action as a police officer and probably understand her better than any of us.”
Eric took another swig of coffee. “I’m not completely certain. She’s obviously gone over an edge and become unhinged. She always pushed the line so to speak, but taking Hope and murdering those people isn’t her usual MO. Your grandfather filled me in on that. She would usually make someone else do her dirty work for her. Although we know now that she killed your mother and grandmother.”
“Yeah, and I’m sure that wasn’t the first time she murdered someone... I guess with being in the federal prison waiting for trial, she’s realized she doesn’t have anyone to do her dirty work,” Maya said. “Except for whoever this partner is. We’re assuming it’s a he. Any chance her partner could be a she?”
“I don’t know,” Eric said. “To be honest, she never seemed to be in a relationship with anyone unless she wanted something from them.”
