Had he missed the part about it being from thirty-three years ago? Though, his sergeant had a point. “That’s closer to the truth than it should be. The accident never really was investigated.”
“There you go.”
Eric struggled for a few seconds to process how to integrate Medina’s suggestion. Some cases came with little to no evidence right from the beginning. But an investigating detective could only start with what they had. Eric might not have evidence he could put his hands on, but not every fresh murder case did. He’d start by trying to piece together the victim’s last movements and revisiting eyewitnesses. “Expert advice, Sarge. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. Shut the door on your way out.”
“Will do.”
Medina’s nose was already back in his paperwork by the time Eric hit the hallway. Eric’s phone rang, and Coleman was on his caller ID.
TWENTY-SIX
3:00 PM
This was the best day in Cindy’s career to date. She was spending all day acting as if she were a detective. That had to draw the advancement to her. She pulled to a stop at the curb in front of Rhonda Stein’s house and got out of the car.
A woman in her mid-sixties came striding down the sidewalk, and they both turned to head up the path to the front door.
The woman stopped and faced her. “Can I help you?”
“Are you Rhonda Stein?”
“I am.” Rhonda’s eyes drifted over Cindy, but she barely slowed her pace.
“I just have a few questions for you,” Cindy said. “It shouldn’t take long.”
“Questions about what?” Rhonda slipped a key into her lock and twisted.
“About your time at Hanson Property Devel?—”
Rhonda held up a hand. “Let me save you the trouble. There’s nothing you’re going to ask that I’m going to answer.”
Cindy stiffened. “With all due respect, ma’am, you have no idea what I’m going to ask.”
“Nothing good comes from that name. I learned that a long time ago. So if you could please excuse me.” She opened her door and squeezed through the small gap she made.
“Would it change your mind if I were to tell you we think Timothy Hanson may be responsible for the death of one of his former secretaries?”
The question had the intended effect. The woman stopped moving and turned around. She shifted her jaw left to right, right to left, left to right. Her tongue darted out, then she said, “No, it wouldn’t. That has nothing to do with me. Good day, Officer.” Rhonda shut the door in Cindy’s face.
Cindy was tempted to knock on the door to try another tack but for one thing. The look of pure fear written on the woman’s face at the mention of Timothy Hanson. Even from the grave, the man clearly held power over her. Rhonda wasn’t going to talk no matter what Cindy might try.
Cindy went straight from Rhonda’s house to Hanson Property Development to speak with Sabrina Brown, Timothy’s last secretary. She walked into their impressive corporate office building. The lobby was a showpiece, and the lettering on the wall behind the main reception desk laid out their slogan.Building Homes, Not Houses, Since 1941.
She had enough of the puzzle pieces to see the overall picture. Despite what the words said, the family, or at least Timothy Hanson, had violated the very values upon which the company was founded. If she ran with Heather Wainscott’s assessment, Timothy’s father had secrets to protect when he was alive too.
A woman sitting at the front desk eyed her suspiciously.
The effect of the uniform…The thought fired through Cindy’s head. Many people didn’t respect the work, but she couldn’t be prouder of her career choice. Nowhere else would she make sucha difference. “Officer Moore. I need to have a word with Sabrina Brown.”
“Can I ask what this is regarding?”
“A police matter.” Cindy tagged on a smile, softening her approach.
The clerk responded with a tight smile, resembling a scowl. “Ms. Brown is quite busy. It might be best if you made an appointment.”
“Possibly under other circumstances, but this is an urgent matter.”
