Page 31 of Night Prey
She swiveled to face him. “It is, but you know me. I’m a doer. And I want to do something about it. Find the person responsible.”
He frowned.
She didn’t like that response. Not at all. Her gut cramped. “What’s wrong?”
He lifted a hand as if he was going to take hers then let it drop. “I want you to have realistic expectations for what we just found.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll get forensics to process the car. We might get a break and find evidence, but can we use any of it to convict the killer? The car hasn’t been under control of law enforcement, and a defense attorney could easily say the tie rod nuts were loosened after Peck bought the car. The evidence we located today might not help.”
“The chain of custody,” she said, not liking what she heard. Not liking it at all. As a former prosecutor, she knew that could invalidate anything found on the car.
“Not that I’ll let that deter me,” Ian said. “I’ll start by opening a formal investigation. That’ll allow me to get forensics out to Peck’s place. I’ll have to work with County, as the accident happened out of my jurisdiction, and Peck’s place isn’t in our control either. But I’m sure the detectives at County will be glad to let us handle it. Maybe we can find DNA or a print on that nut.”
“Would it even last that long?” Malone asked, allowing just a bit of hope to surface and ease the knot in her stomach.
She got murmurs ofdon’t knowandgood questionfrom the guys. She took out her phone and called Sierra. When her sister-in-law answered, Malone tapped the speaker button. “You’re on speaker again with Ian and the Byrd brothers.”
“Go ahead,” Sierra said.
“How long does touch DNA last?” Malone asked.
“Depends on the scenario,” Sierra said. “Exposure to heat, water, and sunlight are the biggest factors that degrade DNA.”
“We just saw my parents’ car. It’s still in the same condition as the day it crashed. It’s been kept in a windowless garage. It’s dry, but the building is metal. Probably got pretty hot in the summer. The nuts on the tie rod are rusted.”
“That could be a problem,” Sierra said. “The only thing to do is try to collect it, if it exists. You’ll want someone who’s very experienced in DNA to do the work. Someone like Emory.”
“Thanks, Sierra.” Malone hung up and looked at Ian. “I know we have a conflict of interest here, but Sierra’s right. Emory is the best person to handle it. What if you got permission for her to do the work?”
“This could be related to Junior’s murder and we still have a potential conflict of interest,” he said.
She clutched his arm. “You could have one of the state DNA scientists observe and document her every move to try to eliminate any suspicion.”
“That might work. When I go in to open the investigation, I’ll propose it to my lieutenant.”
She tightened her grip. “Can you talk to him the minute we get back?”
“Sure. You could even come with me to review pictures that Londyn has likely taken of the suspects she’s interviewed.”
Malone released Ian’s arm and swiveled to look at Clay. “Is it okay for me to go to the precinct with Ian?”
“Should be fine,” Clay said. “We’re very familiar with the location, and the three of us can move you quickly and safely inside.”
“Agreed,” Aiden said.
“I’m in,” Brendan said.
“Thank you,” she said, already thinking about capturing the killer, then entering a courtroom and watching him or her stand trial to pay for the heinous crime that permanently altered her and Reed’s lives.
7
Ian and Malone left the Nighthawk team in PPB’s lobby for the return trip to her house, and Ian led Malone down the hallway and into the busy bullpen. The area smelled like bitter burned coffee, not an unusual aroma, as the near empty pot was often left on the burner by a tired detective.
Londyn sat behind her desk, running a finger down a column of names on the reunion attendance list. Her large eyes were narrowed, and her hair was pulled back today, revealing her long neck. She looked up at them and smiled, but it was tight.
“You remember, Malone,” Ian said, resting against the corner of her desk.
