Page 133 of Weight of Guilt

“Rachel says his mother was an only child and his father only had brothers.”

“Maybe he meant⁠—”

“One of his uncles never married. The other one’s wife is deceased. Has been for a long time. So there is no aunt, even by marriage,” Wren said quietly. “And he hates hospitals.”

Nora was quiet a moment before asking, “Why would he lie to me? Are you making this up? Is it because you’re upset I have a boyfriend? Are you afraid I won’t be able to help out with Mason anymore or something?”

“What? No. It’s not about that at all. I didn’t want to have to tell you this, Nora.”

“Jacob is the first man I’ve let into my life . . . well, in a long time. He . . . he makes me happy.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Nora. I don’t know how to say this. But the police are on their way to question him about Mason now. You can be mad at me later. But right now, I just need to ask you some things.”

She was silent a moment. Wren knew she was angry. That maybe she even blamed Wren for all of this.

Finally, Nora said, “What do you need to know?”

Nash stepped closer. “Is there anything else you can tell us about him?”

Wren put the phone on speaker so he could hear.

“Like what?” Her voice sounded throaty with tension.

“It doesn’t matter,” Nash said. “Anything can be important.”

After a moment of thought, Nora finally said, “He talks about work all the time. Nothing important really. It’s mostly just claims. He tells me about some of the houses he visits. He was at this one house a couple weeks ago and sent me pictures because he thought I’d think it was funny.”

Wren frowned. “Why?”

“The people who lived there loved Southern Gospel.” Nora looked at her. “Apparently, they had albums everywhere. They even had our old one.”

Nash narrowed his eyes. “He specifically told you that?”

“He did. Why? Is that important?”

“It could be.” Nash paused. “Did he say where it was?”

“No, but he sent me a picture.”

“Can you send it to me?” Nash asked.

“I’ll do that right now.”

Wren didn’t know if this would lead anywhere. But she still wanted to see. Maybe that photo would offer something.

Nash waited for the picture to come through. It only took a few seconds.

“May I?” He reached for Wren’s phone.

She nodded and handed it over to him.

He clicked on the photo and then found the metadata—and it was geotagged.

His breath hitched. He had an address.

He grabbed his phone, dialed Prine’s number, and gave her the update.

“Why do you think Mason might be at this location?” she asked, a healthy dose of skepticism in her voice.