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“What?” she said sharply. “There?”
“I think that was why you had that sort of ‘event’ when I took you to the spot. It had nothing to do with Jenny’s death. You got woozy in the open field where you were found. Once you got in the trees, you were fine. So even though you don’t consciously remember anything about that night, I think your subconscious does.”
Her eyes now brimmed with tears. “The same place. So you’re saying whoever attacked me also killed Jenny?”
“I’m saying it’s a possibility, that’s all. But you told me that Jenny came up here to ask you about it. And she told your mom that she had unfinished business. What else might she have meant by that?”
“I don’t know, Travis, I don’t fucking know, okay?”
She hurried from the room.
He sighed, finished his coffee, rinsed out the cup, put it in the dishwasher, and left.
You’ve got to get to the truth, Devine. For a lot of reasons.
CHAPTER
44
DEVINE DROVE TO THE POLICEstation to find Harper out but Fuss in her office.
She eyed him inscrutably as he sat down across from the woman. “I spoke with Mildred. Understand you came by.”
“I did,” said Devine evenly.
“I also understand that some evidence went missing.”
“Evidencedoesgo missing,” said Devine, looking at her. “For various reasons.”
“Let’s cut the shit, Devine. I saw the logbook and so did you.”
“Never said otherwise.”
“There is no way Chief Harper took that rape kit back then.”
“Again, I never said he did.” Before she could respond he said, “What about the fire that killed Steve and Valerie Palmer?”
Fuss’s eyebrows nearly folded over each other. “What?”
“The Palmer fire.”
“Yes, I know about it, though I wasn’t on the force then. But I remember it was an accident.”
“You mean that was the official finding?”
“That was whathappened,” barked Fuss.
“Look, I’m just thinking things through. Hear me out. They find Alex right after she was raped, and then the Palmers die three days later. Quite a coincidence.”
“Apples and oranges. If I recall correctly, it was a faulty portable heater. Happened all the time back then. My cousin is a volunteer firefighter. He said they’re still one of the leading causes of fire in the winter.”
“I’m sure.”
“No, I’m not sure youaresure,” she exclaimed.
“Heard from the ME on the post yet?” he asked, deciding to change the subject.
“That’s where the chief is, attending it.”
