Page 28 of Lost Lake
“He might’ve already killed her by then,” El said, wanting to say anything but that.
He cringed, but his only response was a sharp nod.
“Something I haven’t resolved,” she said. “How would the killer know Kenna was coming to see you? Or that he wouldsucceed in running them off the road where he had a boat waiting?”
“My phone isn’t tapped, if that’s where you’re headed. Hayden audits all our phones weekly. Mine was cleared two days ago.”
“Doesn’t mean hers wasn’t compromised.”
“If it was, she knew him. Or at least trusted him enough to let him get close to her phone to tamper with it.”
“She also could’ve told him herself—shared her plans before she left—and he trailed her from there. Could’ve convinced her to meet him at the overlook.”
“That might explain why she came here.” Gabe’s breathing had grown labored. The weight of what could’ve happened in this ravine had to be catching up with him.
“But who?” she asked. “And why? If he docked his boat here to move them to the beach, he would’ve had to know in advance to have the boat ready.”
Gabe pursed his lips, but stood motionless. “I don’t get it, though. Not after her frantic phone call. I just can’t imagine her stopping anywhere for any reason.”
“She wasn’t just sightseeing, that’s for sure, and the transfer of her body and Lucy in the boat confirms premeditation and not some random road rage.” El’s phone announced a text, interrupting her unpleasant vision of Kenna’s and Lucy’s terror as they were run off the road. “Hopefully her phone will survive being soaked, and the electronics expert will be able to tell us if she was meeting someone. I’ll also request her phone records, but you know how slow phone providers are getting back to you. That can take some time.”
She quickly read the message from Deputy Massey.
Forensics is here and asking for you.
She typed back.On my way.
“Forensics just arrived.” She slid the phone into her pocket. “I’ll send them down here to process the van and the surrounding area in addition to the beach.”
Gabe opened his mouth, seemed to reconsider, and turned toward the hill. He was a man of few words, and when he did speak, he took on a devil’s advocate kind of role, and what he had to say was important. But whatever he’d been about to say just now, he kept it to himself.
El filed the moment away and followed him to the steep incline, quickly skirting the blood near the van.
At the base of the hill, he paused and waited for her to go first. She understood. He was positioning himself to catch her if she lost her footing on the loose vegetation. The gesture was so quiet and natural that it caught her off guard.
Tears pressed at the back of her eyes. Odd timing. She was working a murder and an abduction, not on a social outing, but the small kindness told her exactly how he must’ve treated Kenna and Lucy. No making a production of it and without expecting anything in return.
She swiped her eyes then climbed without incident. So did he.
They drove back to the beach in silence. El parked several rows behind a white panel van with the Veritas Center logo on the side, the rear doors thrown open. Two women in white Tyvek suits were rummaging through equipment bins stacked three high in the cargo area while Jude stood nearby, talking.
El recognized both women. Chelsea Vale, one of the center’s forensic photographers, had glossy black hair and was still in the cargo bay. Sierra Rice, forensic expert, dropped out of the van, her blond ponytail bouncing, as El and Gabe approached.
El reached for the door handle. “Have you met the Veritas team?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
They made their way through a cluster of onlookers who called out questions. El kept her eyes forward and her answers consistent.No comment. No comment. No comment.
“Glad you’re back,” Jude said. “I was hoping you’d arrive in time to give Chelsea and Sierra instructions.”
“Thank you both for coming on short notice.” El offered the women a genuine smile. “I mean that.”
“Of course.” Sierra’s smile was brief and professional. “We’d never turn our backs on a missing child. Has she been found?”
The warmth in El’s chest cooled. “No. Let me walk you through everything, and then we can set your priorities.”
