The rumble of an engine drifted through the open front door. Owen spun and charged for the door.
“Incoming vehicle,” he called out to the others. “I’ll check it out, but be on alert.”
Hand on sidearm, he remained in the shadows until an older blue Ford Explorer stopped next to Owen’s pickup truck. The Explorer’s door opened, and a tall skinny woman with stringy gray hair got out.
He stepped back into the house. “Stand down. It’s a woman. Not Leach.”
He went back to the door to find her looking around. She stared at the police cars, appearing jittery and a little spooked. She started for the porch but stopped by the patrol vehicles and looked in the windows. She stood there for a moment, running a hand over her face as if deciding what to do, but then turned and marched toward the steps.
Hand on his sidearm, Owen stepped out. He introduced himself and planted his feet on the wooden floorboards that squeaked under his weight. “And you are?”
She stopped at the base of the steps, a wary look on her face. “Della King.”
“And what business do you have here?” Owen asked.
She jerked her head toward the side of the house where the barking originated. “Came to feed the dogs for Ned. He’s out scouting for his job. He pays me to take care of the dogs when he’s gone.” She challenged Owen with a lifted chin. “And what are you doing here?”
“We believe that Mr. Leach was involved in a crime that we’re investigating.” He watched her carefully for her reaction. She blinked a few times, but no look of disbelief or even a question in her eyes.
“You don’t seem surprised that he was involved in a crime,” Owen said.
She shook her head. “I don’t think he’s ever really gotten into trouble with the law, but he’s skated a fine line over the years.”
Curious.“Are you friends?”
She shook her head. “I do odd jobs around the area for extra spending money. He got my name from one of the neighbors, called me and asked if I would feed his dogs when he was gone. That was about ten years ago, I think. We came to an agreement on a fair amount, and I’ve been taking care of them off and on ever since.”
“He always pay you?”
“If he didn’t, you wouldn’t see me standing here now.” A sharp smile tightened her long narrow face. “I love dogs, but I don’t do this for free.”
“Do you know Mr. Leach well?”
She tapped her chin. “Strange. I thought I did, but now that you ask, can’t say as I really do. My only conversation with him is when he calls to tell me he’s going out and for how long. Then I make sure I’m here to collect the money when he gets back. We shoot the breeze a little bit. Mostly about his work, but that’s about all.”
“Do you know if he has a girlfriend or friends in his life?”
“Not a girlfriend that I know of. But then like I say, I don’t talk to him much. On friends, I’ve never seen anyone here, but I know he hangs at the local bars with that creepy trucker who drives for the casting company.”
Could she be talking about their other suspect, Hobert Tovar? Did these guys know each other and conspired to murder Cassie?
“Creepy trucker?” Owen played dumb. “Could you be more specific?”
“A very unfortunate-looking guy who likes to hit on every woman in sight.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s always bragging about his big fancy rig. As if anyone cares.”
“Do you know this guy’s name?”
“Yeah, but I forget. It’s as odd as he is, though.”
“Hobert?”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Her expression brightened. “That’s it. Hobert Toner or something like that.”
“Tovar.”
“Right. That’s him. Weird as they come. No matter how hard he tries, I’ve never seen a woman go home with him. And believe me, he tries hard with pretty much any woman who comes close.”
Owen handed her his business card. “Give me a call if you think of anything else about Leach that could help.”
