Джей Баркер – The Fifth to Die: A gripping, page-turner of a crime thriller (страница 23)
Nash drew a line between Ella Reynolds and Lili Davies. “These two are connected somehow.”
Klozowski’s phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the display. “We’ve got a make and model on the truck from the park footage. It’s a 2011 Toyota Tundra.”
“See if you can get a list of matches within a hundred-mile radius of the city.”
Klozowski was already tapping at his phone. “Yep.”
“Any luck enhancing the image of the driver?”
“Nope,” Klozowski replied. “I tried before I came down here. The camera is old and doesn’t have the resolution.”
Nash went back to the board, crossed out the completed items, and studied the remaining list of assignments. “This is getting long, and now we’re down a man.”
Kloz set down his phone and raised his hand.
“Yes, Kloz?” Nash said, pointing at him.
Klozowski grinned. “See what I did there? Remember when Bishop raised his hand? That’s a ‘callback.’”
“Do you have something to add?”
Kloz nodded. “Yes, sir. I can go out in the field. I need to run to that Starbucks anyway to tackle their video footage.”
Nash glanced up at the evidence board. “What about your other assignments?”
“I’m not running a one-man show upstairs. I’ve got staff. I’ll bring my laptop, and they can feed information to us as they get it,” Kloz said.
Nash nodded. “Done. Ladies, let’s divide and conquer. You take the art gallery. They should be open by now. Kloz and I will hit Starbucks and tackle some of these other items on the list. At this point, we’ve got to assume Lili is still alive. We need a break.”
Clair stood up and stretched. “Should someone check on Sam?”
“Nope,” Nash replied.
Evidence Board
ELLA REYNOLDS (15 years old)
Reported missing 1/22
Found 2/12 in Jackson Park Lagoon
Water frozen since 1/2 — (20 days before she went missing)
Last seen — getting off her bus at Logan Square (2 blocks from home/15 miles from Jackson Park)
Last seen wearing a black coat
Drowned in salt water (found in fresh water)
Found in Lili Davies’s clothes
Four-minute walk from bus to home
Frequented Starbucks on Kedzie. Seven-minute walk to home.
LILI DAVIES (17 years old)
Parents = Dr. Randal Davies and Grace Davies
Best friend = Gabrielle Deegan
Attends Wilcox Academy (private) did not attend classes on 2/12
Last seen leaving for school (walking) morning of 2/12 @ 7:15 wearing a Perro red nylon diamond-quilted hooded parka, white hat, white gloves, dark jeans, and pink tennis shoes (all found on Ella Reynolds)
Most likely taken morning of 2/12 (on way to school)
Small window = 35 minutes (Left for school 7:15 a.m., classes start 7:50 a.m.)
School only four blocks from home
Not reported missing until after midnight (morning of 2/13)
Parents thought she went to work (art gallery) right after school (she didn’t do either)
FLOYD REYNOLDS
Wife: Leeann Reynolds
Insurance sales — works for UniMed America Healthcare
No debt? Per wife. Hosman checking
UNSUB
ASSIGNMENTS:
Porter needed a Big Mac.
Not only a Big Mac but a large fry, chocolate shake, and an apple pie for dessert.
He needed it so badly, the craving drove him to walk steadfast from his apartment, three blocks down Wabash, and directly into the nearest McDonald’s, which was hopping this time of day. He ordered, took his meal to a small table in the back, and devoured every bit. Seven minutes later, he found himself staring at an empty tray, his stomach still rumbling.
He desperately wanted to talk to Heather. The immense hole in his heart once filled by the sound of his wife’s voice burned.