AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, we weren’t that lucky. It wasn’t positioned in a spot that would show that.”
“What, then?”
“It shows a vehicle traveling away from that location at the time in question. And before you ask, no, there was no license plate shown. Again, it couldn’t be that easy, right?”
“That doesn’t help us much.”
“Ah, but that’s not all it showed. The vehicle passed a car coming the other way. It was around a curve so both vehicles had to slow. The way the other vehicle was positioned it blocked the other car for the most part from the satellite’s cameras. Remember it doesn’t remain static. It keeps roaming.”
“And?” Devine said expectantly.
“And that satellitedidcapture the plate on the other car.”
“Let me guess—it belonged to Steve and Valerie Palmer.”
“Bingo,” replied Campbell. “And now the blackmail theory you just articulated seems far more plausible.”
“And that means theyrecognizedwhoever it was. Which means the attacker was probablylocal.”
“And still in Putnam if he’s the same person who killed Jenny,” noted Campbell.
“Was there anything on the imagery that can help us identify the other vehicle?”
“Not much, no.”
“Can you send me the imagery?” said Devine.
“Yes. Now one thing puzzled me and I know it puzzles you,” said Campbell.
“What’s that?”
“Jenny and her mother were estranged. So why would Jenny tell Clare what she was planning? About the unfinished business?”
“I can call Clare and ask her,” said Devine.
“I think it better to confront her personally.”
“I can fly down and—”
Campbell interrupted. “You’ve got your hands full up there. It would be counterproductive to pull you away.I’llmeet with her.”
“You sure that’s smart, sir? I know this is personal with you.”
“Itispersonal, Devine. And it’s also my job. I’ll report back what I find out.”
CHAPTER
48
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME,Emerson,” said Clare Robards.
It was evening and she and Campbell were sitting in front of a roaring fire, which eased the chill from the old general’s bones.
“Yes, it has been,” he agreed. He studied her for a moment, his thickly tufted eyebrows edging up and down. “Look, people have their opinions, Clare. But it’s your life to lead and no one else’s.”
His words did nothing to lighten the mood of the room. Indeed, Clare’s features grew even more unfriendly.
He noted this and said, “Um, I know that you visit him regularly. That’s good of you.”
