“I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Bethany rolled her mat across her lap as if seeking a mindless distraction from her grief, her fear, whatever other emotions were swirling through her.
“Do you know if Shannon was on the outs with anyone? Someone she didn’t get along with?” Amanda had told Trent they needed to examine Fox’s personal life, and she’d been serious about that endeavor.
“I can’t imagine anyone doing that… that… to her. They cut out her—” She cupped her mouth.
It obviously hadn’t escaped Bethany’s notice, even in the horror of the bloodshed, that her friend had been mutilated. “Did you touch her, or anything in the house?”
“No.” She sniffled.
“How long were you two friends?” Trent asked.
“A few years, but we got close fast. Had a lot in common.” She added the last bit with a shrug.
“It’s awesome when you find someone like that. What similar interests did you share?” Amanda wanted to set Bethany at ease as much as possible, given the circumstances, so she’d continue to open up.
“We’re both in our forties, single, never married. We like to do yoga and eat healthy. We’re also members of a singing group out of Washington.” Bethany rattled off everything in present tense, which was completely normal in the immediate aftermath of loss—even for some time after.
“Sounds like a great friendship.” Amanda offered a gentle smile. “Was she dating anyone?”
“Ah, no. You get to be our age, and the dating pool’s smaller than a kiddie pool. They’re either married and cheating scum, pot-bellied, or liars. Sometimes all three. Most have so much baggage, they’d need to pay extra to travel by plane.”
Hearing Bethany’s bleak view of dating was depressing, possibly true. Amanda hadn’t really given it much of a shot. One-night stands were much simpler. No names, no questions, no emotional connection. But as they added up, they took a toll.
“What about family?” Trent interjected. “Does she have any in the area?”
Bethany gave a small bob of her head. “Her sister lives in town. Her dad? No one knows where he is. He ran off when she was a girl. The mom died of a drug overdose several years ago. She never was much of a mom.”
“Doesn’t sound like it…” Amanda recalled how Shannon had given the impression she could relate to the squatters at 532. Had Shannon ever taken to the streets? She’d ask but wasn’t sure if it would be relevant to the case. Then again… Her eyes widened, considering. What if Fox was somehow linked to sex trafficking like they knew Jane Doe had been? Maybe even a victim at one time who had escaped. If Fox was somehow wrapped up in the ugly mess, that could be another thing linking her murder to Jane Doe’s. But she talked herself down. She was getting ahead of herself.
“We’ll need to get her sister’s information,” she said to Bethany.
“Sure.” She fumbled in one of her pants pockets and took out her phone.
Amanda happened to look up and see Malone coming toward her. “You got this?” she said to Trent, and he nodded.
Amanda stepped away, putting about ten feet between herself and Bethany and Trent. “What is it?”
“I just spoke with the officer posted outside five thirty-two,” Malone said. “He’s been there since midnight. Didn’t see anything all night. I know we don’t have TOD yet, though I’d expect sometime between then and now.”
“Huh. I would think he’d have seen something that might help us.” If this was the same killer back a second time, he might as well have been the invisible man. “The officer was awake, though? Eyes open?” She knew from personal experience just how boring and mind-numbing surveillance could be.
“I sure hope so.”
“But you’re not sure?”
Malone angled his head and pressed his lips. “It’s entirely possible he saw nothing.”
“He confirmed that he hadn’t left his post?”
Malone clenched his jaw. “Why are you being so stubborn about this? If we can’t take the word of one of our own, then we might as well give up now.”
She realized she might be coming across just as Malone had accused, but she was feeling frustrated. Maybe taking it out on the faceless officer. Then again, if a badge told Malone he saw nothing, then Malone would believe him. His brothers in blue had to give Malone strong reason not to trust them.
Malone snapped his fingers. “I can see it on your face, Steele. But let it go.”
When he pulled out her surname, it was hard to feel like she had much choice but to submit.
“So how did it go with—” He nudged his head toward Bethany.
“She’s the vic’s best friend. No leads on who had a beef with Shannon, but Trent’s getting info on the next of kin now.”
“I can take care of delivering the notification.”
“Actually, I’d prefer to do it,” she said. “We might get a lead on someone in Fox’s circle. As you said to Trent we need to slow down, and that means considering all the angles on this case. It appears on the surface like Jane Doe’s killer might have motive, but what’s to say someone with a vendetta against Shannon didn’t take advantage of that? Her name, after all, was in the paper.”
Malone seemed to consider her words, then grinned and wagged his finger. “See, that’s why the LT can’t knock you down, Amanda. You’re an amazing cop. Just keep that up.” Malone’s gaze went beyond her. “And speaking of good cops.” He waved someone over. She turned and saw a male PWCPD officer headed their way.
“This is Officer Tucker,” Malone said once he got to them. “This is Detective Amanda Steele.”
Trent joined them and held up his notepad to Amanda, likely to communicate he had the sister’s information.
“And Detective Trent Stenson.” Malone swept an arm toward Trent. “Officer Tucker here
