Pete swore. “So Elizabeth Landis could’ve been one of your serial killer’s early victims.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I’d love to question your eyewitness.”
“She still lives in the area. I have to question her again for the new investigation.”
Ethan nodded thoughtfully. “Too bad I’m leaving for Quantico this afternoon. Do you mind if I hook you up with another agent who’s been working this case?”
“Not at all. I appreciate the help.”
“She’ll want to see the weapon used too.”
“No problem.”
An eager smile crossed Ethan’s face. “I know you hate the idea of having put an innocent man behind bars, but this overturned conviction might just help us catch a killer who’s been preying on women for more than a decade.” He slapped Pete on the shoulder. “Come on, Adams. Let’s hit the showers so you can get to work on time.”
The morning sky had brightened to a flat, gray dawn while Zoe was inside the station. When she reached for the driver’s door of Pete’s Ford Edge, the vehicle she’d been using since her truck was in the shop, a small gray sedan wheeled into the lot and parked next to her. She faced the new arrival and crossed her arms as Lauren Sanders climbed out.
“Fancy meeting you here,” the reporter for the Pittsburgh newspaper said across her car’s roof. “I came to ask Pete some questions but wanted to talk to you too.”
Zoe fought a moment of panic. “You’re not backing out of doing the barn work while Pete and I are away, are you?”
Lauren dismissed her concerns with a wave. “Never. I can’t wait to get to play with the horses. In fact, I wanted to confirm you still needed me.”
“Absolutely. I’m leaving it up to you and Patsy to work out a schedule.”
“No problem.” The brunette glanced toward the police station. “I assume Pete’s in there.”
“You’d assume wrong.” At one time, Zoe had believed Lauren carried a serious torch for Pete. And who could blame her? But if the attraction remained, Zoe knew it was one-sided. The two women had become close friends. Enough so that Zoe trusted Lauren would never act on her feelings. “He should be here in time for his shift at eight o’clock.”
“What about you? Care to answer a few questions as chief deputy coroner?”
“Depends. What about?”
Lauren motioned to her gray sedan. “Get in. It’s too cold to talk out here.”
Zoe obliged, sliding into the passenger side.
Lauren started the car and bumped up the heat before plucking a pen and notebook from the center console. “What can you tell me about the reopened investigation into Elizabeth Landis’ murder?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. I wasn’t on duty with the ambulance the night it happened. And I didn’t start working for the coroner’s office until a few years ago, so I wasn’t a party to that investigation.”
“But you’re with the coroner’s office now. What does your boss have to say about it?”
“Anything I could tell you would be hearsay.”
Lauren looked at her askance. “I’m a reporter, not a lawyer. Your ‘hearsay’ is my ‘confidential source.’”
Zoe debated how much to share. “I haven’t had any reason to talk to Coroner Marshall about that case. Like I said, it didn’t involve me. I can tell you Detective Wayne Baronick is assigned to the investigation along with Pete.”
“I already knew that. He’s on my list to question too.”
“Did you know Dr. Charles Davis has been assigned as ‘expert witness’ for the defense?” Zoe made air quotes.
Lauren blew a raspberry. “Good old Dr. Davis. Politician first. Forensic expert second. Human being? Somewhere way lower on the list.”
Zoe choked back a laugh. “So it’s not just me who feels that way?”
“Nope.” Lauren scribbled a note. “What about Pete? Does he have an angle he’s working?”
Zoe eyed the reporter. Did she already know about his meeting with the FBI and was fishing for details? “You’ll have to ask him.”
“I know you two discuss cases at home. Give me a crumb. I won’t share where I got the information.”
“Like Pete wouldn’t know it was me? My wedding’s in less than two weeks. I’d prefer he not call it off.”
Lauren clicked her pen and stuck it in her coat pocket. “He’s crazy in love with you. He’d never call off your wedding. But that’s okay. You just admitted there is information even though you’re unwilling to share it.”
Zoe swore to herself. Lauren was good.
The exchange reminded Zoe of another time Lauren had a source she refused to reveal. “By the way,” Zoe said, “it’s been almost three months since you helped me find Scott, and you’ve yet to tell me who clued you in about me having a brother.”
Lauren responded with the same enigmatic smile she’d given Zoe back in November. “That’s right.”
“Come on, Lauren. Who told you?”
“I only obtained the information by promising to protect my source’s anonymity. Nothing’s changed.”
“But—”
Lauren shushed her with a wave of a hand. She gazed at her rearview mirror. “Here comes the man I want to talk to.”
Zoe turned to look out the back window. Pete’s township-issued Explorer cruised into the lot and parked on the other side of the Edge. Facing Lauren, she said, “You will tell me one day.”
“Don’t count on it.” The reporter opened her door, paused, and met Zoe’s eyes. “I shouldn’t need to tell you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lauren winked. “Think about it.” And she climbed out of the car.
Eight
Getting up early was never a problem for Pete. Thanks to his insomnia, he’d been awake for hours. But playing basketball at five a.m. with a bunch of fitness fanatics? Not something he cared to do on a regular basis, despite Ethan’s invitation to join them anytime. Finding Lauren Sanders waiting for him when he arrived at the station hadn’t improved his mood.
Nor did Zoe’s furtive reply when asked if she’d talked to Abby. “We’ll discuss it later.”
He didn’t want to discuss it. He wanted his
