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Kara said, “I know you’re busy. Couple more things. Cal was supposed to work on Friday but called out and saw you.”
“Yes, and he’s all torn up inside. And I’m so glad he’s okay, but also I’m upset about Neil. And Kyle and everyone, of course, but I loved Neil. He was sweet and kind and funny. He babysat sometimes when I was really stuck. And he came by the Fish & Brew several times a week. Always sat either in my section or the bar.”
“Cal said you were friends with him.”
“Who wasn’t? Neil was a great guy. Just a really good man, deep down, you know?”
“Did he talk to you about a cold case he was investigating?”
“About those college boys who drowned a long time ago? Yes, I knew about it, but he only talked about it in passing. Things like that upset me—I don’t like violence and sad things. I felt so bad for them and their families and I didn’t even know them. Cal says I internalize other people’s pain, that I have too much empathy, but I don’t think you can have too much empathy.”
“It’s an admirable trait,” Kara said. Cops had empathy, but they learned early on in their careers to bury it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t last long on the job. “When was the last time you spoke to Neil?”
“Um, I don’t remember exactly... Tuesday or Wednesday, I worked both days, he was there one of those days. But we didn’t have a conversation, really, just said hello.”
“Do you know how he seemed? Was he upset, worried, preoccupied?”
“I can’t really say. Well, maybe preoccupied. He didn’t sit in the bar, but he didn’t sit in my section, either. And—now that I think about it, he didn’t eat. He ordered, but then asked for a to-go box, said he wasn’t that hungry.”
“Thank you for your time.”
“That’s it? Did it help?”
Kara rose. “I’ll call you if I have more questions.”
Kara tracked Matt down when he was leaving West End Charter.
“Anything new?” she asked with a nod to the building.
“Michael and I have been reviewing security footage from every camera in a six-block radius. I’m brain-dead.”
“Where is Michael?”
“Getting Jim at the airport. They’ll meet us at the station. You asked Ryder to get a lock for the conference room. Why?”
“Small town.”
“Explain.”
They were walking back to the sheriff’s station because it was only a few blocks.
“Everything is pointing to Neil Devereaux as being the target. Then we get a second bomb. Slightly different design, not as big an impact, same chemical makeup so we know it’s the same guy. West End the clear target.”
“Diversion, I get it, but I don’t understand about the lock.”
“Friday Harbor is a small town on a small island. Everyone knows everyone, just like Liberty Lake and Patagonia. Someone could wander in and deputies wouldn’t think twice. A cousin of Bob, a sister of Sue, they’re not a killer, right? They could look at our board and see that we weren’t even looking at Island Protectors on Monday. They were way down on our list—but Neil was at the top. Targeting West End on Tuesday refocused our investigation. We have Ashley’s pictures printed and posted, we have Craig and Valerie listed on the board, they come in, know the diversion was successful. Does that mean he hits a third West End target? Just to make sure we’re doing what he wants us to.”
“We can pull security cameras from the sheriff’s station.”
“We should, but we also have to consider basic gossip.”
“Deputies talking out of school.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay. I’m with you. I already told Ryder to do it, but I just needed to hear your reasoning.” He stopped while they were still across the street from the sheriff’s station. “Learn anything from Marcy Anderson? Do we have reason to pursue her?”
“I don’t know,” Kara said. “Either she lied or Cal lied. I don’t know who.”
