Page 33 of Night Prey
“I don’t know.” Hoffman leaned back in his chair. “I know they’re top-notch professionals. Even used them before. And I like the idea of having a state DNA expert working as a witness to the process.”
“If there’s any DNA to be had, Emory Jenkins is the one to find it,” Ian added, hoping to seal the deal.
“You’re probably right.” Hoffman tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “Go ahead, but keep me in the loop. And what about other forensics on the vehicle?”
“I’ll ask the state lab to provide someone for that too.”
“Good. Good. Now what about forensics from the hotel? Anything?”
“Nothing we didn’t know about. GSR and the weapon, analyzed for prints and sent off to the state crime lab.” Ian knew it would be handled a lot faster if Grady could process the gun, but Ian would take his win on the DNA and not push his luck. “Also, Sierra Rice did her own analysis after we released the scene, and she found mulch she believes was carried in on the suspect’s boots. She can match it to other mulch if we locate his home.”
“I want play-by-play updates on the DNA and any forensics located on the car.” Hoffman snapped his chair forward. “And don’t make me look like a fool for agreeing to this.”
“I won’t.” Ian left the office before Hoffman could change his mind.
Ian glanced across the bullpen to Malone and found her still looking at photos on Londyn’s computer, Londyn leaning over her. A lead from those pictures would be great, considering they didn’t have a lot to go on.
At his desk, he found the phone number for the state forensic lab and asked to speak to the DNA supervisor. Thankfully, she said working with Emory was an honor that anyone in her department would relish, and she immediately agreed to monitor the tests whenever Ian needed her. As a bonus, she also agreed to bring criminalists to process the car.
Stunned at the easy cooperation after he’d prepared for a battle, he dialed Blake Jenkins from the card he’d handed to him at the earlier meeting. Ian would call Emory directly but it was after Veritas’s closing hours and he didn’t have her number. He shared his need with Blake.
“She’s right here,” Blake said. “I’ll give her the phone.”
Ian heard a child babbling in the background, and Blake quickly explained Ian’s request.
“Name the time, and I’m there,” Emory said.
“How about tomorrow at noon?” he asked, thinking that would give him time in the morning to follow up on other items, attend an update meeting with the Veritas team, and meet with Londyn too.
“Text me the address, and I’ll be there.” She shared her phone number. “Will I see you there?”
“Yes and also the DNA supervisor from the state lab will be observing.”
“I love Deborah, so that’ll work.”
Ian thanked Emory again and disconnected the call, then dialed Peck and arranged for the team to work on the car. The man grumbled at first about having so many people on his property again but finally agreed.
Everything arranged, Ian took a long breath as he opened PPB’s investigation program on his computer and started an active case for the death of Joanna and Lewis Rice. It took nearly an hour to record the basics. By the time he finished, Malone was turned away from Londyn’s screen, and the two were talking. Had she finished all the pictures or had she found their suspect?
Eager to know, he started for Londyn’s desk, his mind switching to Malone—and not in a professional capacity. He liked seeing her. Maybe not in a detectives’ bullpen. It would be better elsewhere, but he just plain liked having her around. He needed to change his focus. To pin it to the case. To find her parents’ killer and Junior’s too. That was his job. Not falling for Malone Rice.
When he reached them, she smiled up at him, and his heart responded with a leap. He managed to curtail the size of the smile he sent back her way. Not only because he didn’t want to encourage her, but Londyn was appraising them too, and he didn’t want her to see his interest in Malone.
“Any luck with the pictures?” he asked.
“No.” Malone got up and rolled her head.
“Which means I’m heading out to the hotel again.” Londyn stood. “And then I’ll be calling to arrange interviews with the people who attended the reunion but didn’t stay at the hotel.”
“We’ll review additional videos. If you email the photos you take, Malone can look at those too.”
“Will do.” Londyn pocketed her phone and notepad. “I’ll walk out with you.”
Ian gestured for the women to go first, and in the lobby, they found Clay, who caught sight of Malone and used his comm device to ask his brothers to join him.
Clay nodded at Londyn. “Long time no see.”
“Not since your wedding. I’m assuming you’re still blissfully happy.”
