Page 85 of Forever Gone

A numbered marker stood near the rear tire. Another had been placed beside a pale scrape on the concrete, where something heavy appeared to have crossed the accumulated dirt. Selena pointed toward it.

“What made that?”

“Don’t know yet,” Matt said. “Could be from the car. Could be older. I’ll photograph and sample it before anybody decides.”

Connor nodded toward the open barn doors. “If the killer drove Linda’s car in here, how did they leave?”

“That’s the question,” Matt said. “I’m checking for a second tire pattern and footwear leading from the barn to the road. Connor pointed out another set as well back the way. Could be the killer’s, could be people just passing through.”

“Any obvious wounds besides the mouth?”

“Not from outside the vehicle,” Matt said. “There’s blood on the front of her sweater, but I’m not opening the door until I’ve documented everything around it.”

“Good.”

Connor shifted near the barn entrance. “Can I speak with you for a second?”

The request carried a tone Selena recognized.

She followed him outside.

They crossed beyond the portable lights, stopping beside his SUV where the others could not hear without making an effort. The woods surrounded the clearing in a dark wall. Somewhere downhill, a deputy spoke quietly into a radio.

Connor turned toward her. “Have you had a drink?”

Selena felt irritation rise at once. “I drank a whiskey. Just one before I was called.”

“With Eric again?”

“Why? Are you jealous?”

“No.” Connor lowered his voice. “I don’t think it’s a good idea coming to a crime scene smelling of booze.”

“It was one drink.”

“I can smell it from here.”

“You called me after I’d had it. I didn’t know Linda was lying dead in a barn.”

“In the future, tell me.”

Selena stared at him. “Are you seriously telling me to play it by the book when you gave Morimer that money?”

Connor glanced toward the barn. “Keep your voice down.”

“You know that was just to find Victor’s killer.”

“I know what you told yourself.”

His jaw tightened. "It got us, Marlene."

“And has he come to collect his favor yet in return?”

“No.”

“He will. Just watch.”

Connor stepped closer, keeping his voice controlled. “I’m much more concerned with the killer in my home county than Morimer.”