“Yeah, why?” Hughes wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “She run a red light or something?”
“Not that I’m aware.” Kane sealed the evidence bag. “Does your sister drive the vehicle?”
“Sometimes.” Hughes frowned and shifted from one foot to the other. “But she’s not long gotten her license.”
Jenna took in the change of demeanor. “Why didn’t you inform me about the vehicle at the meeting at the gym? I did ask if anyone knew someone with a green Chrysler sedan. It was right after we spoke about the phone.”
“I guess I didn’t hear you.” Hughes scratched his head. “I’d gone to get Laurie’s phone for you, remember?”
His excuse was plausible and he’d cooperated so far. Jenna nodded. “Yeah, that’s right, you left before I made the announcement.” She thought for a beat and changed tact. “Did Verna get along with Laurie? Verna was on the same cheerleading squad as her, wasn’t she?”
“Yeah they were but they didn’t get along.” Hughes looked defensive. “Now don’t you go thinking anything nasty about Verna. She’s had a bad life. My parents fostered her for a year and then adopted her. People don’t understand her is all.”
“Do you get along?” Kane’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “It would be strange having a teenager move in. I’m not sure I’d like to share my parents with a stranger.”
“It’s not like that at all.” Hughes shook his head. “Darn it, she’s my best friend. I’m glad she’s one of the family now.” He frowned. “I’m glad she’s there. Since Pa walked out, Ma has become a pain and blames me for everything. Like it’s my fault he left her?”
“It’s hard for everyone when folks break up.” Kane grimaced. “We have everything we need, thank you for your time.”
As they climbed back into the Beast, Jenna turned to Kane. “Did you get a vibe from him?”
“He wasn’t acting like a guy who thought Laurie was too young for him, and someone who might cause him to lose his job if he became involved with her. I would expect his reaction from a longtime lover. His words said one thing and his actions another.” Kane started the engine and backed out. “That was overkill. If his mom owns a Chrysler sedan, we only have his word he was driving his truck on Saturday night. If he parks in the same place, it would’ve been out of sight—or Verna was driving it.”
The possible scenario dropped into Jenna’s mind. She could see where Kane was going. “He was working here on Saturday night and could have easily disabled Laurie’s pickup.” She frowned. “But how did he make her drop her phone?”
“Verna.” Kane turned back onto Stanton. “From what everyone was saying there was quite a crowd in the parking lot that night. They were all excited about the festival, making plans and such. Maybe she followed her outside and bumped into her. All the girls of her age are always carrying their phones and talking. They live in their own worlds. Most never know what’s happening around them.”
Jenna thought for a while. “I’m not so sure. It seems to me he could have had Laurie, she fancied him and the attack on her looks too much like something a jealous woman would do and he admitted Verna didn’t like her.” She shook her head. “We might be looking at this the wrong way. The killer might be Verna.”
“Maybe but it would be difficult to murder her and then move her body alone, and men attack women’s faces as well.” Kane grimaced. “I need to speak to Jo. I’ve read something about a killer who attacked the eyes of his victims. In that case, he knew all of them. It might be a trait. If they can’t look at him, he’s not responsible. I’ll need to dig deeper.”
Eighteen
After leaving the school, Kane headed to the home of Wyatt Cooper. There would be a chance he’d be home by now and maybe one of his parents would be there to sign the consent form. As they pulled up outside the rambling ranch-style home, he glanced at Jenna. “Fingers crossed we get this done today. We need answers.”
“I’m just hoping Laurie’s death is the result of a bad argument and not the first in a line of cheerleader murders.” Jenna pushed open her door. “I feel like the clock is ticking and we’re getting closer to finding another corpse.” She looked at him as she rounded the hood. “I figure we’ll need Verna’s DNA as well. I’m still not discounting her involvement or Hughes in this case.”
After gathering another test kit, Kane followed her to the front of the house. After Jenna pressed the bell, a woman in her late thirties opened the door, and stood staring at them with an astonished expression. He nodded to her. “Mrs. Cooper?”
“Yes.” Mrs. Cooper stood as if guarding the doorway, both hands clutching the doorframe. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Jenna smiled at the woman. “We’re collecting DNA samples and fingerprints to eliminate suspects in Laurie Turner’s murder. We’d like to get a sample from Wyatt if he’s home.”
“We just heard on the news about her death.” Mrs. Cooper pressed a hand to her chest. “She was such a sweet girl. Wyatt is heartbroken.” She shook her head. “I guess you’d better come inside. I’ll go and get him.”
Kane followed Jenna through the door and they waited in the hallway at the foot of the stairs. The scent of lavender furniture polish filled the house and exploded a wave of memories for him. His mother had always made her own polish using beeswax and lavender oil. He recalled her telling him how it made everything shine, even his boots. Upstairs they could hear mumbled conversations and Wyatt Cooper appeared at the top of the steps.
“Have you found out who killed her?” Wyatt shook his head slowly. “If only I’d waited, she would’ve been okay. I was too pig-headed and figured she’d get jealous seeing me talking to Becky.”
“We wouldn’t be here chasing down DNA samples if we’d found her killer.” Jenna was regarding him closely. “You can’t blame yourself, Wyatt. It’s the killer’s fault, not yours, and we’ll find out who did this to her. You have my word.”
“Thanks.” Wyatt looked at Kane. “I can’t believe the mayor is going ahead with the festival with Laurie dead and all. It doesn’t seem right. We’re expected to show too, like nothing happened.”
The show must go on. Kane nodded. “When something like this happens, it’s sometimes best to allow life to go on as normal. It’s a traumatic event and normality is the best cure.” He met the young man’s troubled gaze. “We need DNA—”
“Yeah, Mom just told me.” Wyatt frowned. “Do you need to take blood?”
“No just a swab.” Jenna smiled at him. “Open your mouth.” She took the sample. “There you go, that was easy.”