Page 98 of Night Hawk
“Never knew she had a sister.”
“It’s complicated,” Toni said. “We were hoping to read about the investigation.”
“Boxes are off-site in a storage facility. I own the paper and covered the incident. I can tell you whatever you need to know.”
She wondered if he would remember much, but it seemed like this was their best bet. “Did Sheriff Raintree get involved in the investigation?”
“He did. We didn’t see him much except at ribbon cuttings and official meetings. I was shocked when he took over the investigation.”
“Did he talk about suspects?” Drake asked.
“Weren’t any. He maintained from day one that the poor little girl wandered off and got swept up in the current. Nothing seemed to change his mind.”
“Do you think he was covering something up?” Toni asked.
His bushy eyebrow arched. “Like what?”
“I don’t know.” She played it down, hoping he would respond. “Just asking.”
“I think the only thing he was covering was his butt. It was an election year, and he hadn’t done a thing he promised. He didn’t want people to think it wasn’t safe here so it was easier to say she drowned.”
Toni nodded as he confirmed Joy’s story. “You ever hear of anyone with the last name Sharkey?”
“Connected to this investigation?”
“Or to anything in town, really,” she said.
“Hmm.” He tapped his chin. “I have, but I just can’t place it.”
“Sheldon Sharkey,” she clarified.
“No. No. That’s not it.”
Then what?she wanted to scream and push him to remember.
“It’ll come to me, but never know when. Still, I’ll think on it. Give me your phone number, and I’ll let you know.”
She jotted her cell on the back of her business card with a pen from the counter and passed it to him.
“FBI?” His interest perked up. “This an official investigation?”
Toni shook her head. “Just looking into my sister’s disappearance.”
He looked at Drake. “You FBI too?”
“A friend.”
“When that name comes to me, I’ll give you a call.” He tapped the card on the counter.
“Can you think of anything else that might’ve seemed off or odd about the investigation or Lisa’s disappearance?” Drake asked.
“Not really, other than those things don’t happen in our little town. Sure, they might these days, but not back then. Was a gentler, kinder time.”
She glanced at Drake to see if he had any questions but his eyes had taken on a faraway look. Maybe he was remembering his youth spent here.
“Okay, thank you.” She started to leave.
“Starts with an S. Yes, I’m pretty sure it’s an S,” the owner said.
