Page 116 of Solid as Steele
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll get us back to the cabin where we can evaluate the evidence wedohave. Then I can present a better front the next time I question this guy.”
She loved to hear that no matter Owen’s anger, he continued to think clearly. She got out the waterproof bag still holding her phone. Three missed calls displayed. She also had three voicemail messages.
She should probably have looked at her phone sooner, but she’d been intent on getting into warm clothes first. Then for the duration of their drive, not saying anything that could help Leach, so she’d shoved the phone into her pocket and forgot about it. Then the interview took over.
“Three missed calls from Sierra,” she told Owen as she navigated to voicemail. “All within the last hour.”
“Must be important.” The anger in Owen’s eyes morphed into interest.
She played the first voicemail on speaker.
“Call me the minute you get this message?” Sierra said. “I’ve got something very important to tell you.”
“Sounds urgent for sure,” Owen said.
Mackenzie played the second voicemail, basically a repeat of message one. She started the third one running.
“Where is everyone?” Sierra’s exasperation sounded through the speaker. “You’re not answering, and I can’t get ahold of Wheeler either. Call me!”
“You heard the woman.” Owen gave a tight smile. “Call her.”
Mackenzie tapped Sierra’s number and hit the speaker button.
“Finally,” Sierra said. “You’re not going to believe this.”
“What?” Mackenzie and Owen asked at the same time.
“The DNA from the remains found in the desert came back,” Sierra said. “It’s not a match for Cassie. The dead woman isn’t Cassie.”
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“What?” The word erupted from Owen. He could hardly think, much less drive. He whipped his truck to the side of the road and skidded to a stop on the shoulder, gravel flying everywhere. “What do you mean, not Cassie?”
“Are you positive?” Mackenzie asked, sounding way too calm for Owen’s liking.
“Of course, I’m positive,” Sierra said. “Emory never makes a mistake. And she says not only does the DNAnotmatch the sample brought in by Owen’s parents, but it came back as a match in CODIS for a Grace Gale from Salem. She has priors for soliciting.”
Owen had to trust the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, didn’t he? But really, his sister might not be dead? Couldn’t be. Just couldn’t be, could it?
Is this some sick joke, God?
“She wore Cassie’s clothes and necklace.” Owen shifted into park.
“I can’t explain that,” Sierra said. “But trust me when I say these are not Cassie’s remains that we recovered.”
“What about dental records?” Mackenzie asked. “Did Kelsey have a chance to review them?”
“Not yet. Cassie’s dentist is old school and doesn’t utilize the electronic program we use to download dental and medical records. He procrastinated on sending the hard copies despite repeated requests, so Kelsey sent her assistant over to pick them up this morning.”
“Can she compare them to be sure?” Owen asked.
“Sure, but, Owen,” Sierra said. “There’s no doubt. These remains aren’t Cassie’s. I thought that would make you happy.”
And he should be, but… “I’m having a hard time believing there might still be hope that she’s alive.”
“Then let me get Kelsey moving on those x-rays to put any question you might have to rest,” Sierra said. “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
“Thanks, Sierra.” Mackenzie ended the call.
