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Beau didn’t have to finish his sentence. With Jack dead, it would also mean that Grace was dead. The fact that this man still had a shred of optimism was heartbreaking, but it was human nature to push off the acceptance of death for as long as possible.
“You mentioned before that Grace didn’t go to visit Mr. Davies in the nursing home that often,” Brook said, purposefully avoiding the man’s other questions. “Did she mention anything odd happening during the times that she did go and visit him?”
“She only went a couple of times, as far as I know. Jonas was a big part of Grace’s childhood. She told me a lot of stories about how he used to enjoy her visits because he didn’t have family of his own.” Beau turned his head slightly when the cold wind picked up a bit. “I never met him, but I’m sure that Grace’s parents would answer any questions that you may have. I’d call for you, but we haven’t quite been on speaking terms since the funeral. My fault, really, but then you showed up at my apartment…”
Beau let his voice trail off, and Brook realized that he’d gotten a renewed sense of purpose by having the case reopened. She shouldn’t have to stress that Grace probably wasn’t alive, but the firm’s involvement seemed to have given him that impression.
“I’ll give them a call.” She held up the mug. “I’ll also make sure to get this back to you. I apologize for tracking you down during an AA meeting, but—“
“Please, no apologies.” Beau straightened his frame and reached out an arm. “Whatever you need, I’ll do my best to provide it. I’ve gone through the reward money that I had set aside three years ago, but I might be able to get a personal loan if you think that would help bring forward some type of information.”
“There’s no need for that, Mr. Willow,” Brook replied as she returned his handshake. “Let us do our jobs. I’ll be in touch if we need anything else.”
Brook made her way back to her car, mindful of the coffee mug as she opened the door. She’d left her engine idle, so the interior was quite warm. The heat from the leather seats began to seep into her clothes, causing her tense muscles to relax one by one.
She eventually opened up on the console and stored the mug inside so that it wouldn’t roll around in the passenger seat. As she put the car into reverse, she could hear the muffled ringing of a phone. Beau had opened his car door, but he’d pulled his cell out of his pocket to answer a call.
“No, no. Nothing new, Levi.” Beau’s voice was faint through the windows. “I appreciate you checking up on me, man. I don’t know what I…”
Brook grimaced when Beau had gotten into his vehicle and she’d all but pulled far enough away not to overhear the rest of the conversation. She quickly initiated her car’s phone system as she pulled out of the parking lot to drive back to her building.
“What’s up, Boss?”
“Do me a favor. Pull up everything you can on Levi Kittle. I want a full background check. Also, find out if he’s had a windshield replaced in his truck within the past three years.” Brook merged with traffic, and she eventually came to a stoplight. “Anything new?”
“Cody Jennings entered the nursing facility about ten minutes ago,” Bit advised over what sounded like static. It wasn’t coming from the phone, so it must have had something to do with the van’s technical equipment. “There was a woman who pulled into the parking about a half hour ago. She is the daughter of an eighty-two-year-old woman named Hazel Wagner. Get this—she taught English in a local high school. Heather Krinsky’s high school, to be exact. I was just about to send the information to you.”
“Update the files and see if Theo has time to follow up on the lead. I need to make a brief stop by my condo before walking back to the office.” Brook pressed on the gas pedal when the light turned green. “Good work, Bit.”
The mobile tech van had been his idea, and it had been a damned good one. The firm hadn’t taken any cases recently that would require them to leave the city, but there was no doubt that Bit would drive the van to another state should it be required of him. Brook would either assign Sylvie or Theo to accompany him, splitting up the team until they reached their destination. It wouldn’t hurt to have two of them drive, giving the other two the ability to fly into the nearest airport to initiate the groundwork prior to the van’s arrival.
The thought of taking another case when so much was encompassing their everyday lives was overwhelming. That was not a term that she used often. She’d also had to cancel the last three appointments with her therapist. Given that this case didn’t seem close to wrapping up any time soon, it was doubtful that she’d make her standing Sunday appointment this weekend, either. While this case had been beneficial to getting her back on track, having her brother in the city had put her on edge.
The death of their father shouldn’t have caused Jacob to deviate from his search for Sara Evanston. Maybe that was what bothered Brook the most. He wasn’t carrying through with his so-called undertaking, and that meant he was straying from his profile.
Evolving.
In her experience, a serial killer who departed from his or her usual pattern made the investigation unpredictable. Such uncertainty usually ended in more deaths before the authorities recognized the new pattern. It was nothing but a vicious circle, and she needed to somehow ensure that they weren’t on the same track.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Theo Neville
February 2023
Thursday — 10:01am
Theoslammedthedriver’sside door of his Jeep closed as he glanced across the way to the parking lot of a music shop. The technical van that Bit had spent many months working on was currently facing the nursing facility in such a way that no one would ever think twice about the nondescript vehicle. The tinted windows kept bystanders from seeing inside, but the hidden cameras permitted Bit to have a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the area. There was no doubt the man was loaded up with junk food, his energy drinks, and a space heater.
Theo pressed the button on the key fob before starting the trek to the front doors of the nursing home. Brook had filled him in on several key employees and patients. It came as no surprise to find an older gentleman in a wheelchair monitoring the visitors coming and going. Once Theo took the appropriate amount of time to wipe the soles of his brown loafers on the industrial mat just inside the entrance, he then addressed Abe Bitonio.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, young fellow,” Abe replied with a nod.
“You must be Abe. Brook has told me a lot about you,” Theo said quietly, not wanting those at the front desk to overhear their conversation. “I’m one of her colleagues—Theo Neville.”
Abe’s dark eyes widened in what could only be described as glee. He motioned for Theo to come closer to the wheelchair, his black-rimmed glasses slipped just a bit as he leaned forward over a black and gold blanket.
