I’d just hit “Save” when Uncle Calvin came in. I’d collated all the documents Carol had shared, plus a few more detailed reports, and compiled them into one file. It surprised me, the amount of information the authorities were releasing to the public, complete with images and old police reports. The call for help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, asking the general public to identify the victims of the dumping grounds, told me resources were scarce. No wonder since some of the cases spanned years. The victims were found a short drive from Sweet Mountain. A plea was on a local news Facebook page entitled, “Do You Know This Jane Doe?” And I applauded the GBI’s efforts to seek help in the identification process. Using the public could prove advantageous.
I set my tablet on the desk as my uncle made himself a cup of coffee.
“How was it after I left?”
I shrugged. “It was fine. Hopefully, I won’t be at home for long.” I gently shook the paper bag. “The perks are pretty great. I have two chocolate croissants. Want one?”
He waved off my offer; his mannerisms were remarkably similar to Mother’s. He and Mother favored each other considerably. He had the same-shaped emerald eyes that shone like gemstones, big round orbs that reminded me of those paintings of big-eyed dolls. I’d never known my maternal side of the family other than my much-younger aunt Elizabeth, born when Mother and Calvin were teenagers, my grandmother’s only child with her second husband. I’d only seen my grandmother on major holidays. It’d been obvious she hadn’t cared much for children. The only thing I had from my late grandmother was a custom necklace she’d had made for me. She’d had one made for Ellen as well, and had given them to us one Christmas when we were very young, about a year before she passed away.
“You never told me how the meeting went in Atlanta.”
“We got the job. It’ll mean some travel, but it’s well worth it.”
“That’s terrific.” I tried to sound upbeat. Great news for the company was always welcome.
Calvin nodded. “Sit down for a minute, Lyla.” He stirred the creamer into his coffee, and I began to get butterflies when he wouldn’t meet my gaze. “I’ve been in touch with Chief Daniels already this morning.”
Chief Daniels sounds so formal, I thought.
“They’re planning to perform an autopsy on the victim.”
The victim. A lump formed in my throat.
“Don’t worry. There wasn’t any evidence recovered from your house other than the body. There are a lot of prints on the suitcase. They’re running what they can through the database.” He shrugged as if the process was futile. “Your alibi and timeline check out.”
“My alibi?” I mumbled numbly. Of course, they’d need to check my alibi. Being completely caught up in the tragedy of the event, I’d neglected to see how it all appeared to the police. I willed my brain to catch up.
“It’s standard procedure.”
I nodded. “Yes, I understand. It just sounds strange to hear it out loud in regard to me.”
“Understandable.” He cleared his throat.
My pulse quickened. “What?”
“You will be questioned again about Melanie.”
I squinted at him, struggling to process what he was explaining.
“There’s some discrepancy with her timeline.” He shook his head. “I don’t have all the details, and mind you the chief only gave me a heads-up out of professional curtesy. To protect you, I believe.”
“Hold on.” I waved my hands in a warding-off motion. “What are you telling me?”
“Don’t withhold information. Not even for your friend. I’m not saying I believe Melanie had anything to do with Carol’s death. I’m just saying—”
“Whoa! Mel was out of town when the bag was delivered.”
“Her plane got in the morning before.”
“That can’t be! She took a cab from the airport to my house.” Didn’t she?
“I’m afraid not. Not all her movements are accounted for, but on this we’re certain. There was no mix-up. Her departure from the plane is recorded.
I raised my eyebrows. “How?” Hartsfield was ginormous, and I had a hard time believing they could track Melanie in the masses.
Calvin nodded as the corner of his mouth turned up. “She’s on tape arguing with the flight attendant for ten minutes, and it’s time stamped.”
I could imagine that clearly. When Mel got worked up, she tended to gesticulate wildly. Her explosive personality lent itself to making a scene. “Okay.” I racked my brain to try to unravel the mystery as to why Mel would withhold that information from me and where she’d gone after leaving the airport.
“They’re searching footage to see if they were able to make a positive ID on Mrs. Timms and see if she may have crossed paths with Melanie. Anyone could’ve dropped her car off at the parking lot.”
And by “anyone,” I took that to mean the killer. “They’ll talk to Mel again. Maybe she was just thrown by discovering Carol, and left something out.” But why would she neglect to confide in me? “Did you speak with the judge?”
Calvin shook his head. “Are you sure Melanie didn’t tell you more? You aren’t keeping anything from me out of loyalty, right?’
I swallowed. “No. I’m telling you there is some mix-up. Mel will straighten it out. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”
“Let’s hope so. What worries me is why someone left her outside your door. Have you thought any more about her passenger and perhaps recalled more?”
“I’ve thought of little else.” I rubbed between my neck and shoulder. “But no, nothing more has come to mind concerning the identity of the person. And that person certainly wasn’t Melanie.”
“I’m not saying it was. I’ve known Melanie all her life. I don’t believe she’s involved. All I’m cautioning is for neither one of you to hide anything. I’m sure the judge will put pressure on the police force to work speedily.” He sipped from his mug. “He obviously believes someone abducted her.”
I nodded. “Did Quinn mention anything else?”
“They’re running a multitude of leads at this point. One of special interest was an inheritance Carol was to receive. Money is a powerful motivator for murder.”
“An inheritance? From?”
Calvin shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“So,” I said, studying him, “the abduction could have something to do with money? Was there a ransom call?”
“I don’t have the answers to those questions. I highly doubt there was a ransom call. The police would’ve been prepared for the discovery then.”
I fiddled with my hands in my lap as I digested this new information.
“When you arrived home, are you sure you didn’t see anything out of the ordinary before you went inside?”
“Other than Kevin and Ellen, you mean?” I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “I certainly didn’t spot anyone skulking around my house when I got home, but I’ll admit, after being blindsided by those two, I was preoccupied. I would’ve checked the luggage tag if I hadn’t been.”
Calvin scratched his chin. “Anything else? Anything at all that could be helpful.”
I considered. “Oh—wait!” I had missed something. “Val.” I sat forward. “She came by and dropped off a housewarming gift for them. I was furious with her for not giving me a heads-up. She had ample time while I was at her house for our meeting. Then, when Kevin approached me, I forgot all about it. Maybe she saw something.”
“This would be the girl adopted by the Heinz family?”
I nodded. “Valerie Heinz.”
Val had been almost ten when she joined the Heinz family. The circumstances surrounding her adoption had been kept sealed. All we knew was that she’d lost her parents in some tragic accident, and the Heinzes, a couple up in age and without children of their own, had adopted her. It’d taken her a while to settle in here. Once she did, she’d become Miss Popularity.
“Make sure to mention that to Officer Taylor when he follows up with you.”
“Okay. Did Quinn ask about me?”
Calvin raised his brows. “Have you begun seeing each other again?”
“No. Forget it.” I lifted my hand, closed my eyes, and shook my head. “Quinn doesn’t owe me anything. Never mind. I’ll be sure to mention Val to Taylor.” I pasted on a smile.
He scratched his chin. “If you want to take some time off, it’s okay with me. I could call the temp agency and have them send someone over.”
“You’re not trying to get rid of me, are you?” I couldn’t hide the concern in my tone. “I’m fine, truly. Plus, I’d hoped that once I proved myself, you might consider making me a more vital part of the business.” I didn’t say “partner,” but had dreamed it. “I could even go back to school. I’ve been thinking about it,” I said, pleading my case.
“No, I’m not getting rid of you. I’ve loved having you here, and you do a fantastic job. It’s just that Frances worries.”
At the mention of Mother, I relaxed.
“Before, I could reason with her. Now, with the gruesomeness of this case and your proximity to it—well, it’s a lot.”
“But it has nothing to do with my job here. Our cases aren’t anything of the sort.” I spoke the truth.
We handled missing persons, divorce investigations, child support, and background checks, plus corporate fraud investigations and workers comp. Sure, I’d imagined that once I learned the ropes, we’d expand to cases like the dumping grounds.
“I know you’re right. And I’m not telling you what to do or how to live your life. I’m just saying you have options. You’re young, and you could choose another line of work—something that doesn’t stress you out as much.” Ah, stress—my mother’s favorite word when speaking to me about my choices.
“May I speak?” I’d prepared for this moment, my carefully rehearsed diatribe at the ready.
“Of course.”
“Thank you. You know my feelings and Mother’s differ. She’s concerned about me not being able to handle this line of work, mainly because she finds it revolting. But honestly, whether I work here or not isn’t going to change my goals.”
I allowed a moment of silence to stretch between us. He needed to give my words some consideration for them to carry weight.
“I respect your decency in wanting to honor your sister’s wishes and that you care about me. But these cases”—I tapped the open tablet with my index finger—“are what gets my blood pumping. I need to understand things—to find the answers to riddles laid out here. These people deserve to have their identity restored.”
“Honey, I’m your advocate. I told Franny that despite your air of frivolity, you’re an intelligent young woman with a promising career ahead of her.” He perched on the edge of my desk. “I understand the need for answers—to close cases. Believe me. And maybe one day, we’ll have extra resources to offer pro bono services or even manage to get on the payroll with the state.”
Music to my ears, and my face must have shown my feeling, because he pointed his finger at me and made direct eye contact. He softened his tone and nodded toward the tablet.
“Digging into these types of cases shines a great big spotlight on the one holding the shovel. Those responsible won’t like it.”
I swallowed hard and looked him square in the face. “It’s a scary world. I get what you’re saying. I’m fully aware of the risks. I’ll be careful. Now, allow me to be frank. If you decide to let me go, that won’t halt my desire to work in this field.”
He shook his head and defensively lifted his hands as he stood. “Okay, okay. You’re right. The world is full of horrors. How does the quote go? ‘Hell is empty, and all the devils are here’?”
I nodded.
“I suppose I held out hope that in Sweet Mountain we’d effectively kept the demons at bay. It’s your life and your decision, and I won’t get in your way.” He stretched. “You’re a grown woman and should be allowed to make your own decisions. But promise me you’ll be extra cautious and on alert at all times. Vigilance is the key until the perp is apprehended.”
“That I can promise.” I held out my hand, and he took it. “And I’ll also promise to keep the frills to a minimum. No pink poufs or lacy tutus will grace the interior of this office. Ever.”
He let out a deep belly laugh that coaxed a grin from me as he shook my hand. “You are more like your mother than you know, kid.”
Ouch.