“I’m stuck,” I admitted. “There’s got to be a pattern to it, but I don’t know what it is.”
“So, we’re both having trouble seeing the truth. The question is, is he really that good at hiding his intentions, or are these notes and codes just part of one big lie?”
“I wish I knew.”
“That makes two of us.”
I could see that Zach was getting into a funk, and I had to help him stop it before it took over. If he began to doubt himself, and his abilities, I knew there would be no chance of stopping the killer.
“What do we do next?” I asked.
“What? What do you mean?”
I waved a hand around the room. “We’re stuck when we look at these walls. Let’s get out and talk to more people. You always said that if all else failed, it was a good idea to stir the pot. So, let’s go stir.”
He frowned for a few moments, and then nodded. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” I said with a smile. “Who should we talk to first?”
“Is there anyone more involved with this case than Grady? It’s time we had another chat.”
We were walking out of the room as Steve Sanders showed up. “I thought you needed me.”
“I changed my mind.”
“That’s fine,” Steve said. “If there’s anything I can do, all you have to do is ask.”
“How much did you lose on that mountain land deal?” I asked impulsively.
“What? How’d you hear about that?” He frowned, and then Steve said, “Strike that. Davis told you. I lost five grand. It wasn’t a fortune, but I wasn’t happy to see it go, either.”
“Five thousand dollars is a great deal of money,” I said.
“Yeah, but Davis lost ten times that. It’s the only thing that lets me sleep at night.”
“Did you know Cindy Glass very well?”
“Who?” Steve asked.
“The murder victim.”
“Oh, yeah, I blanked out on her name for a second. No, not really. Why, what have you heard?”
Zach was listening to our conversation—I knew it—though he didn’t appear to be paying attention.
“Just a snippet here and there,” I said. “It was enough to make me want to ask the question.”
Steve looked uncomfortable. “We had some mutual friends. I might have met her at a party once, but I can’t be sure.”
“But you never dated her.”
“No, nothing like that.” Steve looked at Zach, who had remained silent during the conversation. “What’s this about, Chief?”
“We’re trying to cross as many names off the list as we can,” he said. “You know the routine.”
“Sure, I just never thought I’d make it onto one of your lists.”
“Neither did most of the people who’ve ended up there.”
“What’s taking that elevator so long?” Steve asked.
“I forgot to push the button,” Zach said, as he finally did so.
“If that’s it, I’ve got work I can be doing downstairs, unless you want me to hang around here and guard the door.”
“No, I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll let you know when I need you again.”
“Then I’ll take the stairs. I need a little exercise anyway.”
After he vanished down the stairway, I said, “You didn’t forget to push the button at all, did you?”
“I wanted to hear what he had to say.”
“Then why didn’t you ask him yourself?” I asked as I pushed the button again. The elevator was as slow as cold molasses.
“I was about to, when you stepped in and did it for me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to butt in.”
Zach smiled at me. “On the contrary, it was better coming from you anyway. If I’d have thought about it, I would have asked you to talk to him before.”
“What do you think about his answers?” I asked as the elevator finally arrived.
As we stepped in, Zach said, “I’m not sure. Is he hiding something? Did he have a relationship with Cindy Glass? He didn’t make it sound like five thousand dollars was a lot to lose, but I have a hard time believing it, don’t you?”
“Then we’re no further along than we were before.”
