With a determined stride, she began to cross the parking lot with Bruno at her side. But she only reached the halfway point when the vehicle backed up, turned, and left the parking lot. She frowned, wondering if the officer was avoiding her on purpose. Then suddenly the red-and-blue lights began to flash, and the vehicle sped up, zooming out of sight.
Slightly reassured, she turned and walked back to return to the shade beneath the trees. Obviously, the cop was called away for a good reason. Which was fine with her.
She bent to check Bruno’s paws to make sure they weren’t burned by the scorching hot blacktop parking lot. The relentless sun would heat it up to an unbearable level by noon. The hour was early enough, only ten thirty. Bruno’s paws were fine, and when she placed her palm against the asphalt, it wasn’t terrible.
Not yet anyway.
She glanced at her watch, hoping Cam wouldn’t take too long. They needed to get away from the shopping center before the officer could return.
The minutes ticked by slowly, but then she straightened when she saw Cam emerge from the doorway, both hands laden with bags. “Let’s go, Bruno.” She quickly headed over to meet up with him.
“Where’s Officer Friendly?” Cam asked with an arched brow as he stored the shopping bags on the floor of the back seat.
“He left with lights flashing, presumably to deal with actual crime rather than sitting around watching us.” She opened the back hatch for Bruno. “Let’s get to the rental property as soon as possible. We can figure out our next steps from there.”
“Works for me.” Cam quickly rounded the car to slide in behind the wheel. Minutes later, they were back on the road, heading away from the downtown area of Grand Haven. She glanced at him.
“Where is this rental house?”
“Not far from Duncan Woods.” He shrugged, then added, “I figure the more remote the better.”
“Yeah, as long as there aren’t more dead bodies lying around.” She rubbed her temple.
“Duncan Woods isn’t anywhere near the nature preserve,” Cam pointed out. “That should work in our favor.”
“I hope so.” She turned in her seat to peer down into the store bags. “Did you find the snorkel gear?”
“Yep, and I bought a pair of swim trunks too.” The corner of his mouth quirked up in a grin. “I would have bought a swimsuit for you, but I didn’t want to get smacked if I bought the wrong size.”
She rolled her eyes. “I have a suit with me, thanks. But honestly, I’m not sure I want to leave Bruno alone while we look for Skye’s car.”
“I was only kidding. I’d rather you didn’t get into the water.” He reached over to touch her hand. “It’s better for you to stay on shore in case we need to call Rueger again.”
Just imagining that call made her wince. “You really think you’ll find the VW?”
“No way to know for sure.” He frowned as he turned off the main highway to a lesser-known road. “Even if we find the car, I’m not sure there will be enough trace evidence left behind to be of any use.”
She nodded slowly, understanding his concern. “Were you really serious about heading back out to the nature preserve with Bruno?”
“Yeah.” He grimaced. “I can hope the new victim with the tattoo bracelet has been there long enough that I may have an alibi for the time frame of her disappearance, but I doubt it. I was home for two days prior to getting your call about Skye’s remains, and I live alone.”
“Two days.” She was no expert, but she didn’t think the young woman had been there longer than four days. In fact, she felt certain Bruno had caught the scent of the killer burying the woman the night he brought her Skye’s bone. Even if the poor girl had been murdered the day before, that wasn’t enough to absolve Cam.
“I can see you’re doing the math too.” His tone was dry. “Just like Rueger. If she was killed that recently, I don’t have an alibi. No girlfriend or anyone who can vouch for me.”
“Don’t, Cam. I know you’re innocent.” She blew out a breath. “My biggest concern is that Rueger won’t follow up with other suspects and that the real killer is going to get away with this.”
“We’ll start with the river, then head back out to the nature preserve.” He glanced at Bruno using the rearview mirror. “Your dog is our best chance of finding the killer.”
“Okay. I’ll do whatever you think is best.” There was no reason to argue. Besides, he had a point about how finding more dead bodies could clear his name. Cam had been in the army for twelve years.
If a serial killer was operating in Grand Haven all this time, she had to believe he would have murdered someone during the time frame Cam was stationed in Afghanistan. Maybe more than one victim.
And as horrible as that was to imagine, it was the best way to prove once and for all that Cam wasn’t responsible for Skye’s death.
Cam madeseveral turns to make sure they weren’t followed to the rental house. He couldn’t bring himself to trust anyone. Except Evie.
After backtracking for the second time, he pulled into the long winding driveway of the rental property. He’d chosen this place for several reasons, one being that it couldn’t be seen from the road.
