Page 65 of Solid as Steele
He got out his phone. “Let’s get a look at the topography. If it’s mountainous and the only entrance is a pass leading to his coordinates that would make things even more problematic.”
He chose a satellite view on a map program and held it out, allowing Mackenzie to see it. “The final road rises in elevation, but the land is flat before that, and we should be fine at that location. But looks like we’ll have to go on foot for a good bit of the trail.”
She frowned. “Maybe we shouldn’t bring Ryan in. I hate to put someone else in danger.”
She had a point. “I don’t want that either, but he impressed me as a guy who could handle himself. Besides, the terrain is more rugged than I expected, and I don’t think it would be wise to go alone.”
“You’re right. We need him.” She narrowed her gaze. “But I’ll lay out the situation for him and leave it up to him.”
“Of course.”
A chunky man with reading glasses resting atop his full head of gray hair stepped out of the kitchen door carrying two plates. He marched straight for their table.
Owen circled the final destination and folded the map.
The man held up the first plate. “Burger?”
“That’s me,” Mackenzie said.
He put her plate in front of her and then settled the other one in front of Owen. “I’m Ernie Jamison. I heard you wanted me to look at a picture.”
Owen displayed Cassie’s photo.
“Yep. She was in here. Sat at the bar. But her hair color was different. Brown.” He peered at Owen.
“She must’ve dyed her hair then.” There hadn’t been any evidence of hair dying at her home. So she had to change it after disappearing.
Did it mean no one abducted her, that she didn’t get lost? Seems likely if she was in this place alone. Was she trying to hide her identity? But why?
“Even if I didn’t have the whole super memory thing going on, I woulda remembered her,” Ernie said.
“Why’s that?”
Ernie let out a long breath. “One of the local truckers was hitting on her. She made it clear she wasn’t interested. He persisted. I was about to intervene when she expertly put him in his place, and the guy slunk out with his tail between his legs. Not before giving her a menacing look and telling her that it wasn’t over.”
Had this guy murdered her? “What day was this?”
“Can’t say off the top of my head. The guy ordered our Kodiak Challenge meal that night. Figured he was trying to impress her. It’s an eat the entire meal in sixty minutes and the meal is free kinda thing. It’s not ordered often, so give me some time to look back on my receipts and I can find the day.”
“Did she pay for her meal by credit card?” Mackenzie asked.
Ernie shook his head. “Cash. I remember because she left me a very generous tip.”
“Do you know the trucker who hassled her?” Owen asked.
“Seen him before, but don’t know his name. Works for a local metal casting company. Outfit called East Oregon Pipe and Foundry. They have an office right outside of town.”
“Anything special about his rig that can help ID him?” Owen asked.
“Yeah. Yeah.” Ernie’s eyes brightened. “I know his truck. He has a red cab with a sleeping compartment. The other ones are mostly white and not as fancy.”
That would help narrow down their search but only if no other trucker drove this particular rig. Might not matter if Ernie could ID the guy from having seen him.
Owen leaned forward. “If I can get pictures of the company’s truck drivers, will you look at them?”
Ernie squinted at them. “What’s this regarding anyway?”
Owen got out his credentials and displayed them. “Murder.”
