Gone Before Goodbye (Love &Mystery in the--6-oh-3 Book 1)

by Nora LeDuc

  “You last saw your vehicle in the evening,” Hines said, “when you parked in the lot behind your apartment building?”

  Jake nodded.

  “We talked to the people where you live,” Hines said. “None of them can vouch you were at your place the night your car disappeared. In fact, your upstairs neighbor remembers the evening your vehicle vanished as one of the most restful nights he’s spent in a long time. He usually can’t sleep because the music you play comes through his bedroom floor.”

  “That resident has his evenings confused. I don’t socialize with him, and we’ve never discussed my schedule.” Jake shook his head. “Besides, how does my being or not being home the night before Lucy was hit prove I’m responsible for her accident the next morning?”

  “You might have been out with her.” Noah began to pace the room.

  Jake kept his eyes on Noah, but he didn’t respond.

  “The teenager from apartment 6C told us your car wasn’t in its spot when he rolled in around eleven forty-five p.m. His space is beside yours.”

  “Then the thief stole my car during the night. Really, detectives. Where’s your proof and where’s my vehicle? I’m ready to leave.”

  The man thought he was the president of MENSA and they were the clueless police. “It’s like this, Jakie.” Noah grabbed the file off the table. “We received a call from a hotel outside the village. They watched the news and recognized the woman in the hit and run as their guest.” Noah threw the credit card receipt from the folder in front of Jake. “The desk clerk looked at Lucy’s picture and confirmed she spent the night.”

  “What’s that got to do with me? That’s not my bill.”

  “You went to see her and stayed overnight. Probably offered to take her out for breakfast, but you argued or things didn’t go the way you’d hoped. So you dropped her off on the street, told her you were going to park, and then meet her. Instead you ran her down.”

  “Preposterous. I didn’t know she was in Hawick Falls. Why would I risk my life for someone who wasn’t interested in me?”

  “You said it. She wasn’t into you anymore. Revenge is ugly.” Noah flattened his palms on the table and leaned into Jake’s face. “We’re going to search through your car, electronics, and apartment. Then we’ll subpoena your neighbors and co-workers. We won’t stop until we find the truth.”

  “I’ve told you the truth.”

  Noah dragged out a chair and sat. “Tell us what you keep in your trunk.”

  Jake’s brows knit together. “You’ll find the usual tire and jack. I rarely use either.”

  “Then explain why we found these articles of clothing in the boot of your vehicle.” Noah swiped the pictures on his phone and showed one after the other to him.

  Jake shook his head. “I don’t wear or carry bras or panties in my trunk.” He snapped his head upward and stared into Noah’s face. “What’s this about? What are you accusing me of doing?”

  “The clothing belongs to Lisa Grant. Where is she?”

  Under the table, Jake’s leg shook. “Whoever stole my car is framing me. I don’t have anything of Lisa Grant’s, and I have no idea where she is.” His body sagged in the chair. “Have you run out of people to accuse?”

  “Evidence points to you. We’ve found no proof your car was stolen.”

  “Okay, I feel stupid but I kept a copy of my keys on a ring under my hood with a magnet. I’d locked myself out of my apartment enough that I thought this was the answer. Obviously, I used them, and someone watched me, and then helped him or herself. The thief did a good job of making me look like a fool.” Jake put his head in his hands.

  Too easy to respond to that remark, Noah thought.

  “Who can vouch for the key under your hood?” Hines asked.

  Jake shrugged. “No one. I didn’t advertise the fact.”

  Seconds ticked by in silence.

  “Mr. Clark,” Hines prodded.

  Jake’s shoulders straightened, and he sat upright in his seat. “Offi—” He raised his palm before Hines could correct him. “Detectives, let’s cut to the finale. I’ll take a lie detector test to prove my innocence. My lawyer will work out the details with you.”

  Noah exchanged a glance with Hines.

  “Okay, call your attorney to come down to the station.” Hines nodded toward the door. “We’ll wait outside the room while you speak to your attorney.”

  “I prefer to speak in the privacy of my home, where I’m free to discuss the injustices of the cases you’re trying to build against me. I assume I’m not under arrest since you haven’t read me my rights?”

  “You’re not,” Hines said.

  Noah felt the meeting coming to a fast ending.

  “Gentlemen.” Jake rose and shoved in his chair. “We’re done until future notice from my legal representative.”

  “One more thing.” Noah reached into his file and handed papers to Jake. “In case you haven’t guessed we’ve search warrants for your car, home and electronics. Happy reading.”

  After Jake stalked from the station, Noah and Hines joined the chief in his office. He agreed chances were slim Jake Clark and his lawyer would show up. “Waking the judge to get the papers issued did not put me on his friends list. Let’s hope we find something. I’ve sent the detectives working on Kara Linn’s case over to Jake’s place. I’ll join them when we finish. I want a solid case. We’ll proceed with today’s plan and find Travis Bodell for questioning.”

  The chief held up search warrants from the top of his desk. “Don’t worry. I’ve a big job for you both. Paul hit pay dirt. The second student, who witnessed the altercation between Lisa and Travis, provided us with the threat we needed. Seems this student ran into Lisa’s boyfriend outside the mall, where Travis ranted to him and threatened to use a knife on the Grant girl. We’ve a signed statement. Take your team to Seth Bodell’s property. Look for anything that can be used as a weapon. If the kid ran off with Lisa Grant, he probably took some clothes or belongings with him. If he abducted her, then we’re looking for Lisa or her remains.”

  Slash. Slash. The words echoed in Noah’s mind.

  “We’ll also sweep the beach on the west side of the lake,” the chief said. “We’ve a tip the Meter Feeders are meeting there around eleven. Since it’s a recreational area, we’ll pick them up for violating curfew. I’m tired of kids using our city facilities like their own personal playground. Let’s see how merry the band is once we lock them in holding. Now get on to Bodell’s. The warrants are for the house, grounds, and electronics. Find Lisa Grant or bring in Travis or both.”

  “Yes, sir,” they chorused.

  “Christmas in July,” Noah said, once they left the chief’s office. “After we brief the men, Hines, you ride shotgun.”

  Forty minutes later, Noah, Hines, and two cruisers pulled up to the Bodell’s residence. A shirtless Seth was in his yard cutting wood. Music from an old boom box blared across the grounds.

  Noah climbed out of his car and took in the front of the barn that sat twenty feet from the small house. A collection of deer antlers decorated the building, reminders of Travis and Seth’s hunting abilities.

  Hines perched his sunglasses on his nose. “From his stacks of cordwood he must expect a bad winter with plenty of customers.”

  “Can’t wait to make his day better.” Noah sauntered toward the man.

  The team hung near their cruisers ready to go.

  Seth shut off the chainsaw and music. He met their approach with a glare and hands fisted by his waist. “What are you doin’ in my yard?” He wiped the sweat from his brow and sneered at the uniformed men. “This looks like you’re arrestin’ me,” he growled at the detectives. “I’ve got work to do. I can’t go with you.”

  Hines handed over the legal documents and informed him of the searches.

  “The girl and Travis aren’t here.” Seth ripped the paper from Hines’ hand and kicked a rock near his foot. “This is BS. I’m goin’ to get my lawyer. D
on’t touch my stuff or I’ll sue you.” He stamped to his truck and hopped inside. A cloud of dust filled the air as he bolted.

  “I think he should work on his customer service skills.” Noah turned and gave the signal to disperse. The officers jumped into action, putting on their gloves and shoe coverings. He directed the teams to note recently dug earth, fire pits, and out buildings on the land.

  Noah and Hines marched to the house with a couple of techies. Noah prayed they’d get a break today. Tick tock, said the clock in his head, reminding him days were passing for Lisa

  Grant. Travis had to be the link to finding her. How far could the kid have gone?

  In the living room, mismatched furniture and a large mounted screen told them the home hadn’t been updated in decades, except for the addition of the television. Empty takeout boxes littered the kitchen counter. The computer sat on the table. The techies set to work there. Two small bedrooms contained space for a cot and a dresser. One bathroom with towels thrown over the shower curtain rod completed the decor.

  Noah and Hines began in what appeared to be Travis’ bedroom based on an English textbook on the bureau. A crumpled sheet revealed someone had slept in the bed. Hines went through the drawers while Noah started with the closet.

  Piles of jeans, school pants, and shirts were heaped on the floor. Noah pawed through them. “The kid didn’t believe in wasting energy hanging up his clothes.”

  Hines nodded and went back to his search for a few seconds before stating, “Interesting.” He held out a packet of condoms.

  “I’m glad Travis wasn’t planning on having a mini him.”

  Hines returned to sorting through T-shirts until he pulled out a plastic baggy stuffed between the shirts. “I hit the jackpot again. He has enough for a few joints.”

  “Wonder if he’s coming back for it.” Noah sorted through jean pockets while Hines bagged and labeled his discoveries.

  At the bottom of the first mound, Noah dug out a white box. He blew out a whistle when he opened it to find a set of carving knives.

  “Travis had a little fetish?” Hines asked.

  “I doubt he was using these to carve a family dinner. Doesn’t prove he killed anyone though. One blade is missing. Travis could be armed.”

  “I found something else.” Hines held out a silver bowl with the initial R etched into the side. “Family heirloom?”

  “R for Raynes?” Noah asked. “I don’t think Sophia or Teagan would gift Travis with dinnerware.”

  “He must have gifted himself. Another business for the Bodell men? We’ll check this one out for sure.” Noah took a picture of the dish.

  After an hour of hunting through the house, barn, and woodpile, Hines and Noah joined their men in searching the fields.

  After twenty minutes, Noah finished walking around a copse of trees and hiked into a field. Bodell’s property ended in ten feet. At stone wall marked the boundary. Beyond the wall, the ground had been plowed for a garden, but it was now overgrown. No signs of the rhubarb or strawberry plants that refused to die once planted. Strange place to grow your veggies. No road led to it and the plot was a distance from a house. He scanned his map.

  The land belonged to an eighty-three-year-old woman who was currently in a nursing home. He bet something illegal had been grown here and his second hunch was that Seth had taken advantage of his neighbor’s absence to farm the banned crops. He’d probably moved his plantings to another spot to avoid detection. Since Noah’s warrant didn’t include this parcel, he’d let the narcs know and leave the problem to them.

  Noah’s phone buzzed. He pulled up a text from Teagan.

  I’m okay. Sitting with Lucy at the hospital. No change in condition. Found Lisa’s bracelet in flowers in the room.

  Why did a woman in a coma have the teenager’s jewelry? Was it another kind of threat?

  He called Paul. The officer confirmed he was outside Miss Watson’s door and just spoken to Miss Raynes, who was safe and still visiting her friend.

  Noah hung up and texted Teagan. On my way.

  Chapter 26

  Noah raced for the hospital and Teagan. She said she was fine, but until he saw for himself, he wouldn’t trust the message. He didn’t stop for the elevator, but took the stairs two at a time. On Lucy’s floor, he found Paul leaning against the desk of the nurse’s station, oogling a young RN.

  The officer’s smile vanished, and he snapped upright when he spotted Noah’s stern expression. “Detective Cassidy. You’re here? Any news?”

  “Why did you leave your post?” Without waiting for an answer, Noah turned to the nurse. “What’s the number for Lucy Watson?”

  “She’s in—”

  “301,” Paul finished. “I can see her door from here.” His voice rang with confidence, but his eyes flickered with concern.

  “Go to your position, Officer.”

  “Yes, sir. I was picking up the paper and going right back.” Paul gripped the newspaper in his hand and returned to sit.

  Noah crossed the floor and entered the room. Stacey Smith hovered over Lucy. He wheeled to a stop. Why was she here?

  She broke into a smile of recognition. “Detective, hello.”

  Movement on the other side of the bed snagged his attention. Sitting in the corner was Teagan. Next to her, stood the night table with the vase of yellow flowers.

  “Detective Cassidy came to visit.” Stacey patted the pasty hand of the comatose dark-haired Lucy Watson. She reminded Noah of Snow White.

  “Maybe he has good news about arresting the driver who hit you.” Stacey looked up at him. “Do you, detective?”

  “I’m afraid not.” He walked around the bed to join Teagan and faced Stacey. “Did you bring the flowers upstairs?”

  “Me?” She raised one shoulder in a half shrug. “I left them at the desk downstairs, remember? I don’t know who brought them up, but Lucy enjoys them, don’t you?”

  “Lucy’s nurse thinks a volunteer carried them upstairs.” Teagan was clasping her hands tightly together on top of her purse as she spoke to him. “Thanks for coming, Noah.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I always am. I’ve been waiting to hear Lucy’s prognosis from her doctor. The nurse informed me he’d be available soon. That was over an hour ago.”

  “I told Teagan that Lucy can understand every word we say. Can’t you?” Stacey smiled into the immobile woman’s face.

  “Let’s speak in the hallway so we don’t disturb Lucy with our talking.” Noah waited for Teagan to rise. He wished they were far away from Stacey, who was protesting their conversation wouldn’t bother the motionless patient.

  When Noah ignored her, Stacey bent to Lucy’s ear. “They don’t want us to hear them. I still hope it’s good news.” Stacey tilted her head to the side and watched them cross the white floor. “From their faces, I’d guess the detective has bad news. I hope no one else is missing or been run over by a car.”

  “Miss Smith.” Noah nodded at Stacey as they exited.

  “Come back soon,” she called to them.

  Noah clenched his jaw and let the door swing shut after him. Paul glanced up at him, but Noah ignored him to guide Teagan to the end of the corridor away from the hub of the floor’s activity.

  They stopped in front of a window that overlooked the parking lot. She leaned against the fawn-colored wall as though she needed support. He wanted to put his arms around her but here was not the place.

  “Did—” they said at the same time.

  “You first.” She gestured to him.

  “The chief met with a judge and procured search warrants for Jake’s apartment based on your ID of Lisa’s clothes in his trunk. Sorry, nothing turned up.”

  “I guess I should be happy.”

  “I’ve more. Hines and I searched the Bodell home and property. No evidence of Lisa ‘s presence, but I wondered if this bowl looks familiar.” He pulled up the picture on his phone.

  Teagan blinked at the image. “Where did
you find my aunt’s fruit dish?”

  “In Travis’s bureau. I looked on Craigslist before I came and found it for sale. I’d say Travis was making money selling at least one of your possessions, maybe more. The night you saw him, he might have been planning to rob you. Maybe he saw you upstairs and changed his mind.”

  She blew out a breath. “I bet the bowl was tucked in one of the barrels or trunks in the cellar. What else can happen today?”

  “You found Lisa’s bracelet in Lucy’s room?”

  “The bracelet was hidden in the pot of lilies on her bed stand. It’s the same bouquet Stacey brought to the hospital for her.”

  “And Stacey happens to visit Lucy.”

  “Stacey denied putting a card, gift, or message with the flowers.” Teagan’s face paled. “I think the heart has blood spatter on it.

  “What?”

  “I slipped the jewelry in my purse when Stacey got water for the bouquet.” Teagan pulled out the tissue-wrapped chain and pendant. “I did my best to protect it, but why put the bracelet in the flowers?”

  “Might have been to get rid of it and to try and freak someone out.” He held the pendent in his palm and unfolded the covering.

  Teagan shuddered. “Tell me I’m overreacting and the brownish-red stain is paint on the silver heart.”

  “I’ll assign a man to watch the security video and note who handled the flower pot. The lab will confirm the rest for us.”

  “Confirm if the stain belongs to,” she gulped, “Lisa.”

  He sensed her stress level rising. “Let’s go outside for a walk.”

  She pushed away from the wall. Now that he’d seen her, relief was pouring through him, along with the urge to comfort and reassure her. The nurses and Paul tossed glances at them as they passed.

  When they reached the safe distance of the elevators, Noah debated telling Teagan that if Seth kidnapped Lisa, he might use her to settle a criminal debt. Teagan might be right. Lisa was alive, but in another life, the girl would never survive long. He couldn’t float the idea unless he had proof. “I wish I had a better report.”