Page 260 of Taken Away

"I've got everything you asked for."

She crossed the room and laid several photographs across his desk.

Traffic camera stills.

License plate reader captures.

Burke studied them one at a time.

Sara watched him.

"Every one of the other alibis checked out."

He gave a slow nod.

"I don't get it."

"What gave it away?"

Burke rested his hand on the folder.

"Something I found yesterday."

"Everything else just confirmed it."

Before she could ask another question, there was another knock.

The dispatcher stepped into the doorway.

"Sheriff..."

"Mr. Grady's waiting."

"Ms. Langford just checked in."

Anne Langford swept into the sheriff’s department just after three o’clock.

A pale blue dress skimmed her figure without a wrinkle. Pearls rested at her throat. She carried a cream handbag over one arm.

She looked remarkably youthful for sixty-eight.

Deputy Sara Parker looked up from the front desk.

“Mrs. Langford.”

Anne smiled.

“Deputy Parker. Sheriff Scott wanted to see me.”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s expecting you.”

Anne’s gaze moved past Sara.

Then stopped.

Walter Grady sat in one of the waiting room chairs, hat resting between his hands. He looked up at the sound of her voice.

For one brief second, neither of them spoke.