I thanked her for the information before leaving. We hustled back to the Porsche and drove to Palm Haven.
Several cars were parked in front of the Hollister residence.
Jack pulled to the curb at the neighbor’s house. We climbed out of the car and strolled the walkway up to the front porch. I rang the bell and waited.
A figure approached and pulled open the door a moment later. Judy looked at us with weepy eyes.
With a solemn face, I said, "We are so sorry for your loss."
Judy's face tightened, and she nodded, tears brimming. "Thank you.”
Judy wore an elegant navy pantsuit, and her hair was pulled back into a stylish updo. With someone as notable as Preston, the press would be here, wanting a statement from the family. I'm sure Judy wanted to look presentable. It was only a matter of time before the vultures showed up.
"Please come in," she said, stepping aside. She looked past us to the street as we walked into the foyer.
“We just heard the news and had some questions for Fletcher. Is he here?”
"No. He just left. I called the funeral home. They said they are en route.“
“I know this is a difficult time, but we have a few more questions to ask.”
"Certainly,” she said, still dazed.
Another gentleman in his early 40s stepped into the foyer. He wore a stylish charcoal suit and a red tie. He looked at us with curious eyes.
Judy introduced us. "This is Bryce Van Allen, my father's attorney.”
We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
Bryce had wavy dark hair, narrow brown eyes, and a trimmed mustache and goatee.
"Bryce came by for a quick visit with my father," Judy said.
"I'm so glad he did," I said.
"It was almost like he waited just to see you," Judy said.
A solemn frown tugged Bryce's mouth. "Preston was a special man. I am honored to have been at his side all these years.”
“I know he appreciated everything you did for him. Father was very fond of you. Thought of you like a son.”
Bryce looked touched.
"Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" I asked Judy in a hushed tone.
"Bryce is like family," Judy said. “Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of him.”
I hesitated, then said, "New evidence has come to light.”
"What kind of evidence?” Judy asked, her brow knitting.
"A clothing fiber. That's all I can say at this time. More and more, I believe the perpetrator was someone Sydney knew. Fletcher has popped back up on our radar again.”
Judy dismissed the notion. "I know Fletcher. He could never have done something like this.” Then she added, "I thought I heard on the news there was an arrest made. Another girl was strangled in the same fashion. Don't you have someone in custody?”
"Yes, ma'am. At this time, we believe those cases are unrelated.”
Her face twisted, and she looked at me like I was crazy. "How can you say those cases are unrelated? The methods are identical, aren't they?”
