Page 133 of D for Dead

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Sullivan was subdued as they drove back into town and Declan couldn’t resist a smug smile of satisfaction as the man’s face revealed his shock and doubts about Amy; that he had maybe fallen for the wrong girl.

Emily Benson was waiting for them as they arrived back at the sheriff’s office.

Declan was already finding her annoying. The petite, but plump deputy was bright-eyed and fresh-faced, with breasts too large for her frame and a toothpaste smile. She was the kind of overly enthusiastic goody-two-shoes girl he couldn’t stand. Still he masked his distaste with a smile.

‘Rawlins radioed ahead and said about the letter. Nice find.’ She gave Declan a mock punch on the arm, cranking his irritation level higher.

‘Yeah, I can’t believe your people missed it,’ he pointed out, smoothing the sleeve of his jacket where she’d touched him.

The comment rolled off Benson. She appeared to be a girl without an irritation threshold.

‘It’s a big house. Sure they would have come across it sooner or later. Luckily you were on hand to save them a job. You guys want coffee? We just made a fresh pot.’

‘We’re gonna head over to the motel,’ Sullivan told her. ‘Get checked in, but thanks.’

‘Good idea. Sheriff Wagner has booked you rooms at the Pine Lodge. Marcie knows you boys are law enforcement and she will look after you fine. Before you go, I do have a quick question.’

‘Sure.’

Sullivan was all ears, giving Benson his full attention, and Declan swore he could see a blush creeping up the girl’s neck and onto her cheeks. Take away the uniform and she was no different to all the other women.

‘While you were over at Tucker’s place I was reading through your reports on the victims in Juniper.’

‘Okay.’

‘I think I picked something up.’

Declan rolled his eyes. Great, Deputy Benson here thought she was Nancy Drew.

‘We’re here to focus on Tucker Johnson,’ he pointed out, his tone sarcastic. ‘He needs to have our full attention right now.’

Sullivan shot him a glare. ‘Let her talk, Rivers.’

‘The girl who was killed with the acid,’ Benson continued in her perky tone, either unfazed or just not picking up on Declan’s sarcasm. ‘Nadine Williams, right?’

‘That’s correct,’ Sullivan confirmed.

‘And she was Troy Cunningham’s girlfriend?’

‘She was.’

‘Well, assuming she is the same Nadine Williams, cos I’m guessing there are not many of them around in Oregon, and chances Troy Cunningham would date two girls with identical names has got to be almost zero–’

‘For chrissakes, spit it out.’

Benson stared at Declan for a long moment and he saw something in her expression change. Her eyes narrowed and she looked like she was going to challenge him, but then she seemed to change her mind, instead flashing him a big smile and refusing to bite.

‘Nadine was Danielle Colton’s cousin.’

‘She lived here in Melford, too?’ That was from Sullivan.

‘Yes, but she didn’t move here until a few years after Danielle went missing. Had trouble with her folks and they kicked her out. She lived with her aunt, Danielle’s mom, and worked in the town diner. She was dating Troy while he was away at college and then they both moved out of town.’

‘You’re sure about this?’

‘Uh, of course, Special Agent Rivers; it’s not the kind of thing I’d get wrong. I knew her.’