Page 113 of Weight of Guilt

Prine came back toward them with her phone in hand. “Junction Market is only about ten minutes from here. Clerk says a man came through around 12:30 and bought some basic food items. He was wearing navy blue pants and top. Clerk said he was acting shifty.”

“Is that enough of a lead to warrant questioning?” Luke asked.

“He also asked if there were any boxes in the back he could have.”

Nash’s breath caught. “Let me go. I want to hear what he has to say.”

Prine nodded at him. “I was hoping you’d offer.”

Wren walked in as Prine made her announcement, and her heart leapt into her throat. “Let me come too.”

“Absolutely not.” Prine shook her head, leaving no room for doubt.

“This is my son we’re talking about!”

“Your son isn’t in that store.” Prine already had her keys out. “You need to let us handle this. If you interfere, you’ll only slow us down. I know you don’t want that.”

Without another word, she marched outside, Prine first, then Luke, followed by two deputies.

Nash paused in front of her. “I’ll call you with an update as soon as I can.”

She scowled. “Okay.”

“Sit tight. I’ll be in touch.” He squeezed her arm before disappearing through the doors after the rest of them.

Wren stood there and watched.

Then she glanced back at the cafeteria.

Marlowe was asleep in a plastic chair. Nora had her eyes shut. A few others lingered, talking among themselves.

Before she could second-guess herself, Wren walked out the front door and across the lot to her car.

She knew exactly where they were going. Junction Market.

And she was going there too, whether they liked it or not.

Chapter

Fifty-Eight

Junction Market was a cinder-block building with a metal awning over two pumps and a hand-painted sign for bait. On top of selling gas, they also sold fried chicken and pizza.

Wren parked at the edge of the lot and made it as far as the ice machine before a deputy stepped in front of her. “I’m afraid you can’t go inside, ma’am.”

“This is about my son.” Her voice came out sharper than she meant.

The deputy’s expression softened, but he didn’t move. “I know. But I need you to stay here.”

Wren stared through the front windows. Every part of her wanted to shove past him and go inside. Instead, she folded her arms tight against herself and looked through the window.

Prine stood at the counter with Luke and Nash beside her. A young clerk in a red polo hovered behind the register.

A monitor had been turned toward them. Wren couldn’t see what was on the screen. She could only see Prine’s face.

Cold rushed through Wren when she saw the FBI agent’s expression tighten.

“What just happened?” She stepped forward. “What did she see?”