He stared at my swollen belly, and that lurid grin detonated something hard and scorching inside me. My fingers itched to rip into him ... to claw out the very veins and arteries that allowed blood to pulse through him.
In my mind, there was no other choice. He had to die.
For that to happen, I had to do my part.
Thirteen
Detective Walter Duncan
I rap on the open door to Reynolds’s office. He didn’t call or text saying he had anything, but I just can’t let the day end without being sure. I need something to give Liv and me some definitive direction.
The burned-out barn is something, but unless remains are found, it could just be a sad accident. A coincidence. But I never have believed in coincidences.
Whatever the case, we have to keep digging and looking for Fanning and other potential scenarios to explain his disappearance.
“Walt.” Reynolds motions for me to come on in.
He appears to be doing paperwork, probably in an effort to get out of here. I doubt he’s happy to see someone like me at his door.
I take a seat in front of his desk. “I was about to head home and thought I’d check in to see if there’s anything back on the Fanning crime scene.”
“I wish.” He closes the manila folder in front of him. “The lab is running behind. Hopefully tomorrow. Nothing on that trace evidence, either. I know it’s frustrating, but we’re going as fast as we can.”
I nod. I figured this would be a waste of time. Beyond the DNA, the rest probably isn’t anything that will help. White cotton, potentially from a sheet or other piece of linen. A hair that likely belonged toFanning. Some animal fecal matter that could have gotten tracked in on Fanning’s or the perp’s/vic’s shoes.
“I understand.” I get up. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
The folks up in Chester County will likely be just as slow with answers about the burned-out barn. It’s the nature of the beast. These things take time.
Reynolds pushes to his feet, gives me a thorough once-over. “You’re looking a little more haggard than usual, Walt. Everything okay?”
No point lying to this guy. “Gotta see a cardiologist. The old ticker is misbehaving.”
He touches his chest. “I feel ya. Mine has me on a strict diet and exercise regimen. It’s no fun, but if it keeps me alive, I can deal with it.”
“No kidding.”
After living for a couple of weeks with the idea that I might have lung cancer, this is a piece of cake.
Outside, I climb into my Tahoe and kick aside the frustration with the case.
The worst part is that we still can’t be certain Fanning is even the victim. He could be the perpetrator of whatever took place in that dump he calls home as well as in that barn belonging to Hyatt and Reeves. What started out as two vics taking revenge may have turned into two women becoming victims all over again, considering we haven’t been able to reconnect with either of the two. Either way, someone—two someones, actually—were injured, and we need to figure out what happened in Fanning’s rental. And in that damned barn. Hopefully while we can still make a difference.
My cell vibrates with a text from Liv.
You need to come to the farm now.
I shoot off an answer:On my way.
I’m hoping she’s not sick or been in a fight with the fiancé.
I don’t want to have to kick the guy’s ass.
I park next to Liv’s Subaru. She waits at the front door of the house, leaning against the jamb, arms crossed over her chest.
She knows before I get out of the car the things I’ll ask first, and she’s ready to defend her feelings and choices. You feeling okay? “I’m fine,” she would say. “You don’t need to worry about me. A little headache isn’t going to keep me down.” Have you been home? Aghast, she would demand, “How is that relevant? I’ll get there when I get there. I called you here for an important reason, Walt.”
I know her almost as well as I know myself. I’ll bet she hasn’t been home yet. It’s almost seven. The fact that she’s still wearing the gray jacket and black trousers she wore to work today tells me I would win that bet. I wonder whether she’s even called him. As much as I dislike the guy—and really, I don’t even know him—I know she loves him. I just can’t figure out why she’s working so hard to push him away. Even when I play devil’s advocate, she won’t exactly say she doesn’t love him or that she wants to end the relationship. She’s confused and feeling uncertain.
