Page 37 of Night Moves
“Not usual behavior for a man who murdered his wife,” Drake said.
Natalie stared ahead. “Everything’s organized by color. Perfectly hung. Neat. Just like his personality. And the color organization of the nail polish means something too.”
Drake looked at Natalie. “Tracey wore nail polish, right?”
“She’s wearing it in this picture.” Londyn pointed at a silver-framed photo on the dresser. “She was also very into fashion.”
Drake crossed the room to look at the family photo taken in the summer in a park near a flood of purple flowers. Tracey’s blond shoulder-length hair was flawlessly combed, her makeup heavier than normal for a park visit. At least it was heavier than he would expect. It was taken before the botched procedure on her lips. She wore what looked like designer clothing with strappy sandals, and her blue fingernails and toenails matched her blouse. The other family members were dressed far more casually.
“She doesn’t fit in with the family.”
Natalie joined him. “She’s beautiful, in a plastic sort of way.”
“All the pictures in the house are like that,” Londyn said. “As if she only allowed the camera to capture her if she was perfect looking. And they’re all older photos. Nothing in the recent months. Likely due to the plastic surgery fiasco.”
“Or maybe Kirk was cheating on her, and she felt the need to look her best all the time,” Natalie said.
“If he did, it’ll likely come out in the investigation.” Londyn looked between them. “Now if there’s nothing else, we should get going so forensics can take over.”
“I’m sure Sierra would love to do the forensics for you,” Drake said. “That is, if you want the best.”
“An FBI forensic team’s on the way. This being a joint investigation, we have to play nice with them. No way I’m going to fight that.”
“Nor should you,” Drake said. “The FBI teams are top-notch. Maybe not as cutting-edge as Sierra, but top-notch. Besides, she’s due this week, so it might not be a good idea to get her out here. She could go into labor and insist on staying on scene to keep working.”
Londyn laughed. “From what I’ve heard about her dedication to her job, that sounds about right.”
“What about the evidence that’s already been processed in the missing person’s case? I assume that’s still under your control and at the Portland police lab? Sierra could review it. Maybe find something your local lab missed.”
Londyn planted her feet in a no-nonsense stance. “You saying the PPB lab is incompetent?”
“Not at all. Sierra has better toys to work with, is all.”
Londyn pushed back her jacket and rested her hands on her hips. “We only have the blouse in evidence, and it’ll most likely become part of the task force’s purview.”
“Can’t you get the detective in charge of that investigation to transfer the evidence to Veritas before that happens?”
“I don’t like making snap decisions.” Londyn shifted her stance. “Especially on something so important. Not to mention something that could potentially lead to career suicide.”
Drake understood that, but he wouldn’t give up. “Sierra is the absolute best at trace evidence, and she could give you the lead you need right now.”
Londyn tilted her head, and he waited, hoping she’d agree.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll call him and get the ball rolling.”
She got out her phone, and Drake resisted the all-powerful urge to pump his fist. Wouldn’t do to gloat. Besides, he needed to use every second she spent on the phone searching for a lead. He took a stroll around the room. The space was still decorated in very feminine fabrics, and a ton of throw pillows were piled on the neatly made bed. You wouldn’t catch Drake with a mound of pillows on his bed, even ifhe was married. Not like that was going to be an issue for him in the near future.
He took a long look at the ceiling. There. In the smoke detector. A hidden camera. Could either be a faux detector or a real one Gentry modified. Either way, it was a perfect place to hide a camera. No way Tracey would suspect it or even find it when cleaning. Gentry probably had them strategically placed to record the activity in the entire house. He could even be watching them now.
Londyn’s voice deepened, and she almost demanded the detective comply. She didn’t mention the FBI or the connection to the serial murders, but the detective had to know she was working this investigation. Everyone in the office would know. It was such a high profile investigation, even the patrol cops would know her role on the team and would either be dreaming of being her or be very, very glad they weren’t involved. Nobody would have a middle-of-the-road stance.
He took a few more pictures of the room.
“Done.” Londyn shoved the phone into her pocket. “Evidence is on the way to Sierra.”
Drake pointed at the camera and jerked his head at the hallway. Londyn frowned and marched out of the room. Looking confused, Natalie followed, but he didn’t want to tell her about the cameras right now and freak her out. Better to do it when they were alone.
On the front stoop, he looked at Londyn. “How did Gentry get away without being seen?”
