CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

 

On Sunday morning, Selene supervised S.A.W. House staff and volunteers as they loaded debris from the basement into two giant dumpsters. Restoration was set to begin in a few days.

Selene thanked God every day that no one had been hurt in the fire. She was also grateful that only the basement had sustained major damage. In an effort to dissuade the arsonist from striking again, she’d hired a security guard. Staff and residents were instructed to be extra diligent and on the lookout for anyone lurking around who seemed suspicious.

By afternoon, Selene was back in her office trying to get caught up on paperwork.

Maria Lopez knocked once on the open door and came in. “Selene, there’s a woman here to see you. She’s the one who came with that abused cop.”

Selene raised a brow. “Has she been beaten, too?”

“Not that I could see,” Maria said. “But you never know what’s underneath—”

“Send her in...”

Selene watched as Kay Fuentes walked through the door. She looked tense. Selene stood and shook her trembling hand.

“How are you, Ms. Herrera?”

“Can’t complain too much,” Selene said. “Would you like to sit down?”

Kay hesitated, and shook her head. “I’m worried about Ashley—”

“What’s happened to her?”

“I don’t know,” Kay said. “I haven’t been able to reach her in over a week. I tried calling, but there was no answer. When I went to her house, she wouldn’t open the door, though I’m sure she was home.”

“Maybe she just went out of town or something,” Selene said. She couldn’t imagine Ashley Leighton being on vacation right in the middle of a criminal investigation. Unless she’d been forced to go away.

“No, Ashley would’ve told me if she was going somewhere,” Kay said. “Besides, her car was parked in the driveway. And so was Robert’s.”

“Hmm... So you think she’s hurt or being held against her will?”

Kay shrugged. “Maybe. I know she’s scared to death of her husband, even though she carries a badge and a gun. Robert has some kind of hold on her that makes her stay with him no matter how bad he treats her.”

“Did you go to the police?” Selene asked.

“And say what? A nosey woman thinks her best friend is in trouble, but has no proof. They’d probably put me away, while Robert charms them into thinking he’s some kind of pillar of the community instead of the devil’s son in disguise.”

She didn’t normally get involved when a victim seemed unwilling to help herself. But, in this case, she believed Ashley was crying out for help in her own way.

Selene was troubled by Robert Leighton’s cavalier attitude regarding the abuse. She also suspected he was behind the fire at S.A.W. House and possibly even the phone calls she’d been receiving. Maybe it wasn’t even so farfetched to think he could actually be The Woods Strangler.

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do,” Selene said. “I have a friend on the police force who might be able to help.”

Kay smiled. “Thank you. Ashley’s a good woman and I just don’t wanna see something bad happen to her.”

“Neither do I,” Selene said. “In the meantime, if you happen to get in touch with her, please let me know.”

After seeing Kay out, Selene called Maria back in.

“Trouble...?” Maria asked.

“I think so. I want you to try to reach Ashley Leighton at home or work. If you don’t get an adequate response, try again. She could be in danger.”

“Will do,” Maria said.

Selene sat down at her desk and turned her attention to the backyard barbecue at Dennis Cramer’s house tomorrow. It would be a perfect time to ask him about Ashley and, while she was at it, get an update on the serial killer investigation.