Page 86 of Solid as Steele
“On Highway 395, pedal to the metal to get back here this morning.”
“Stop anywhere along the way where someone can confirm you weren’t in town?”
“Nope.” Tovar tilted his head. “Why? What do you think I did?”
“What about Monday night?” Owen asked. “Where were you then?”
“Hmm, Monday. Probably on the road. Don’t remember. But we can check with the boss. He’ll know if I was hauling for him.”
“You work exclusively for this company?” Mackenzie asked.
Tovar shifted to look her in the eye. “They pretty much keep me busy, but I do take the odd loads when there’s enough downtime so as not to violate trucking laws.”
“Any odd jobs this week?” she asked.
“Nope.” He narrowed his eyes. “Seriously, what do you think I did?”
“That’s all of my questions for now.” Owen stood. “But in the words you used in parting with Cassie. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Tovar smirked as he dropped his chair legs to the floor and raced from the room. She and Owen followed at a slower pace. By the time they got outside, he was hosing down his truck, a fine mist spraying back at him.
What Mackenzie wouldn’t give to be able to have Sierra process the inside of his cab to see if Cassie had ever been inside. Though, with the way he kept the truck’s exterior clean, he probably cleaned his interior as meticulously and frequently, likely leaving little if any evidence behind.
Mackenzie trailed Owen to his truck and climbed in. He ran around the front and got behind the wheel. She kept her attention pinned to Tovar, who whistled an uplifting song as if the visit meant nothing to him.
She slammed her door harder than needed, the pain reverberating up her injured arm. “Either he’s really bothered by our questions and trying to make us think he isn’t or he couldn’t care less.”
“Not sure which.” Owen cranked the truck and headed toward the exit. A quarter of a mile down the road, he turned into a dirt drive and made a three-point turn to point the truck at the road. He pulled forward and stopped behind an outcropping of rocks.
“You’re planning to follow him,” she said.
Owen nodded and got out his binoculars. “If wedidspook him, let’s see what he does and where he goes.”
“Seemed like he was hiding something even if it isn’t what we’re looking for. There was certainly a thread of unease running through the conversation.”
“Yeah, I caught that too and hope to unravel it to see where it leads. But it could be something simple like the guy grows more pot than Oregon laws allow, and he’s afraid we’ll find out.”
She swiveled to face him. “If you’re game, I have an idea of something we might try.”
“I’m game for anything that’s legal and can help.”
“There’s this technology I heard Nick Thorn talking about on another investigation.”
“The Veritas IT guy.” Owen lowered his binoculars and glanced at her. “What technology?”
“I don’t remember the exact name of the computer program, but it can analyze a recording to determine if the person is lying.”
“I’ve heard of that.” Owen glassed the road again. “If I remember right, the accuracy of the findings is controversial.”
“Right, but Tovar doesn’t have to know that. If Nick analyzes the recording and finds Tovar is lying, we can use that as leverage to get Tovar to confess.”
“Then I say we go for it, as long as this Nick guy doesn’t charge us an arm and a leg to do it.”
“He won’t.” She eagerly dug out her phone and placed the call.
“Nick Thorn,” he answered.
She identified herself. “I’m still working that investigation with Detective Owen Greer from Clark County.”
