Page 58 of Night Watch
“Have evidence bag, will travel. That’s my motto.” Sierra reached into the other pocket to pull out a small container. “And maybe a pacifier for good measure.”
They all laughed, and Kennedy didn’t know how they managed it, but it had to be a defense mechanism so they didn’t burn out.
“The hair you recovered at Wanda’s place is a good lead, though, right?” Brendan asked.
“It definitely isn’t a match to any of the people we’d expect to be at the house,” Sierra said. “But again, it’s odd that there weren’t more unidentified prints.”
“Are you thinking the home was wiped down to eliminate prints?”
“Yeah. Maybe. Sure.” She shoved the evidence bag into her pocket. “I lifted a large number of them, but not for the size of the space. So if Wanda was murdered by someone she knew, maybe the killer visited her house in the past. Then went back to wipe down things he or she touched. But keep in mind that they’d have to know what they were doing or I could still have found remnants of the prints.”
“Or he wore gloves,” Drake said.
“He didn’t the night I saw him,” Kennedy said. “So seems like he wouldn’t have when he visited her.”
“We might never know what happened.” Sierra planted her hands on her waist. “There were two different prints on the phone I found upstairs. One is Wanda’s and the other one doesn’t match the one I found by the drawer. So now we have two unknown prints.”
“That’s my mom’s phone,” Kennedy said. “So the one print matching hers makes sense.”
“We need to get Nora’s prints,” Erik stated. “See if it matches the unknown one.”
“Get her in here, and I’ll handle it,” Sierra said.
“She already said she wouldn’t come in unless the police requested it,” Kennedy said.
“If that changes, I’ll be here for you,” Sierra said. “That’s it for me, except I should tell you I’m also going to examine the hair by microscopy, but that will take some time to produce helpful information.”
“And what will that tell us?” Erik asked.
“It can help establish whether the hair is diseased, was forcibly removed, or was treated with hair dye or another artificial substance. When we have the suspect in custody, I can compare a hair sample from the suspect and this one next to determine if they share similar characteristics and came from the same person.”
“I am so thankful for your advanced skills,” Kennedy said.
“Glad someone in the room appreciates it.” Sierra grinned at her brothers. “That’s all I have for now. I assume you’ll suggest that they let Grady evaluate the bullet and casings used in the assault.”
“Grady?” Kennedy asked.
“He’s our ballistic expert,” Sierra replied. “No way PPB has the abilities to do the same work. They’d have to send the bullets and casings recovered at the scene to the state police. Grady will get the information faster.”
“What about the apartment where the shooter took his stand?” Drake looked at Erik. “Think we can have a look at it or get Sierra in there to process it?”
“Doubtful,” Aiden said. “I called it in and was already warned to stand clear. I’m expecting a call back from the detective who caught the case. A Brynn Frost. Though I think they’ll likely decide it’s all related to the lab scare, and the task force will take over.”
“Not if we get there before they do.” Erik stood. “We’ll head over there and persuade Frost to give us access to the scene. She’s fair and impartial, so I think we have a shot.”
“As the family mediator and resident smooth-talker, you’re the guy to do it.” Aiden grinned.
Erik was quite the charmer. Kennedy had fallen for him the first time they’d met. He was smooth but not slick and insincere. If any of the brothers could do this, he could, but that didn’t mean he should go back to the crime scene. “Won’t it be dangerous? The shooter could be there.”
“I doubt he’s anywhere in the area, considering the police presence such a shooting will bring.” Erik held her gaze. “Of course, I can’t let you come along.”
“Don’t worry,” Kennedy said, the memory of the shooting flashing in vivid colors in her brain. “I wasn’t even going to ask.”
15
Despite Erik’s assurances to Kennedy, the brothers were still vigilant as they arrived at the drugstore where the shooting had occurred. Yellow tape fluttering in the soft evening breeze circled the property and closed off the usually busy thoroughfare in both directions. Bullets littered the pavement, shocking Erik at the number that had been fired.
He scanned the onlookers. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he got out of the SUV to join Aiden, Grady, and Sierra. She’d insisted on coming along after she fed Asher.
