Page 30 of Forever Dark
“I was hoping this would be one and done for you.”
“So was I,” Selena replied.“Could you get someone at the office to run some database checks for me?Just to see if the first victim was reported previously.”
“I’ll get that looked into,” Meg said.“Missing persons, unsolved, unidentified, regional overlap.Anything within realistic travel radius first, then we widen it.Sound good?”
“Great.Thanks, boss.”
“What’s your next move?”
“Other than a distant cousin, the victim doesn’t have a next of kin.We’re going to talk to the ex-boyfriend, Dale Mitch.Volatile according to the local file.I’m following Sheriff Chase there now.”
That brought a pause a little different from the last one.
Meg said, “How are you two getting on?”
Selena let out a breath through her nose.“We’re not, but we’re keeping it civil.”
Connor’s SUV slowed ahead to take a narrower road that broke off toward a stand of scrub trees and low trailers set back from the main route.Selena followed.
Meg spoke again.“Don’t let the personal history get ahead of the case.The people who are gunning for you in Washington are probably hoping for you to get tangled up in this with your ex.I’m starting to think that’s why they requested I send you there.A report saying you’ve been uncooperative with local law enforcement at the expense of the case would be another black mark against your name.Don’t give them the ammo.”
“I don’t plan to.”She hated the insinuation.She hated even more that Meg was right.
Silence sat between them for a moment, made easier by years of knowing what did and did not require saying.
Meg broke it first.“Keep me updated, okay, Selena?”
“Will do.”
“Bye.”
The line disconnected.
Up ahead, Connor’s brake lights flared as he pulled to a stop outside a run-down trailer at the edge of a dirt lot.The place looked half-collapsed from fatigue rather than impact.Metal skirting hung loose beneath it.One window had been covered with plywood.Another had a curtain pinned over cracked glass.Rust stained the steps leading to the front door.Beer cans sat crushed near one tire track as if someone had kicked them aside instead of throwing them away.
Selena parked beside the SUV and got out.
Connor was already stepping from his vehicle, hat in hand.
She looked at the trailer.“This Mitch’s place?”
“His last known address.”
Selena started toward the steps, eager to get things rolling.
Connor moved in front of her, not aggressively, just enough to make her stop.
She looked at him.“What is it, Connor?”
He kept his voice low.“Look, you’ve got all the expertise in this area.I can’t deny that.But it’s been a long time since you’ve been in Harlan County.People expect to be spoken to a certain way here, and they might close up with a big-shot FBI agent around.”
Selena folded her arms.“Can you stop calling me a big shot.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
Connor held her gaze.“Maybe I should take the lead talking to this guy.”
