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This guy had covered all his bases.
“Where is your friend tonight?”
“I don’t know. He said he had to take care of some personal business. He didn’t offer any details.” A disgruntled note crept into her tone.
“What’s his name and cell number?”
“Travis Holmes.”
She rattled off a number, but the rushing sound that filled Marc’s ears drowned it out.
A quick glance at Jack confirmed he was having the same reaction.
“I thought you said he was in Idaho.” Marc narrowed his eyes at Bri’s brother.
“I said his car is in Idaho. At least there’s one there with a license registered to him.”
“You know who he is?”
At Marcia’s question, Marc shifted his attention back to her. “We’ve run across his name.” But the description the teen at the garden center provided wasn’t meshing. “Is it possible he loaned the car to someone else?”
“I don’t think he knows anyone else in town.”
“Give me his cell number again.” Jack jotted it down as she recited it.
“It’s not a smartphone, though. It’s one of those throwaways. He said his regular phone broke and he hasn’t replaced it yet.”
Another red flag.
Jack’s somber expression indicated they were again on the same wavelength. “The description we got of the person who was driving the car was an older man. Gray-haired, glasses, used a cane.”
Marcia seemed bewildered. “I have no idea who that could be.”
“Jack.” Marc waited until the other man looked at him.“Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Why don’t you get a track on that number in the works, and maybe Ms. Blake will let me see her guest’s quarters.”
If Jack was smart, he’d pick up on the subtle message that a search could produce evidence of a disguise. That would prove useful if Holmes later claimed the old gent hadn’t been him. And no warrant was necessary. Exigent circumstances gave them sufficient cause to act.
Bri’s brother shared his sibling’s astuteness. “That works. Ms. Blake, you wouldn’t have any objection to Agent Davis taking a quick look around, would you? He won’t disturb anything, and law enforcement always appreciates cooperative citizens.” He offered her the kind of smile a lot of women fell for.
Marcia Blake was one of them.
“No, of course not. I’m happy to help in any way I can. I’ve always been a great supporter of law enforcement. It’s a hard job in this day and age. You guys rock.” She batted her lashes at him.
Marc curbed an eye roll.
“Thank you.” Jack rose. “Marc, I’ll step outside to place my call and join you in a few minutes.” With that, he hustled toward the front door and let himself out.
“What would you like to see?” Marcia rose.
“Your guest’s sleeping quarters, the bathroom he uses, and his luggage.”
She moistened her lips. “Um ... okay. It’s down the hall.”
Pulling out a pair of latex gloves, Marc followed her until she paused at a door. “This is the, uh, guest bedroom. Travis uses the hall bath.” She motioned behind her. “Most of his stuff is in these rooms.”
“Where’s the rest of it?” Marc snapped on the gloves.
“Um ... there are a few things in my room.”
