“No,” Kennedy said quickly. “Don’t proceed without a warrant. For all we know Kyser is on his way to his lawyer right now. I think we’ve learned what we needed to.”
“We have?” News to Jason, but there was no point trying to get into this on the phone. “How’s it going there?”
“The doctors still won’t let us in to interview the girl. At least she’s stable. I’m sure we’ll get a statement before the day is out. You’re headed back to Kingsfield?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Keep me informed.” Kennedy disconnected.
Keep me informed. Jason grimaced. Well, that would be one of them being kept informed.
Chapter Nineteen
The next time Kennedy phoned it was after two in the afternoon.
Jason was in their temporary office, eating a late lunch and once again poring over the crime scene photos from the original Huntsman investigation when his phone rang.
He swallowed a bite of dried-out turkey club and said, “West.”
“We’re on our way back to Kingsfield,” Kennedy said. “The Davies girl isn’t going to be able to tell us anything.”
“She hasn’t regained consciousness yet?”
“She regained consciousness. But she was hit from behind. Boston has a two-man protection detail on her hospital room until she’s released tomorrow. Then she’s flying out to stay with an aunt in Colorado.”
“Damn. She didn’t see anything? She didn’t hear anything? Nothing?”
“No. There’s a possibility a stun gun was used to—”
“A stun gun. You mean a taser—?”
Kennedy continued, “Before you rush out to read Boxner his rights, if she was tasered, it was through her swimsuit, and there are no discernible marks.”
“So somebody knew what he was doing when he zapped her. That’s all that means. What about Rebecca? Her swimsuit was skimpier. Marks might have shown on her body.”
“I’ve already checked with the medical examiner, and there were plenty of abrasions but nothing to indicate she was tasered.”
“Okay, but then that fits in because I don’t think the killer wanted Candy dead.”
“West—”
Jason rose and closed the door to the office. He kept his voice down as he said, “I think we were meant to find Candy. That’s why she was put back in the same place as Rebecca. Because Boxner was right about that. It didn’t make sense to use the same dumping ground twice.”
“Let’s discuss this when I get back.”
“All right. But I’ve been going over the crime scene photos again. And I agree with you. We’re not dealing with a copycat. I think Candy was taken to make it look like Rebecca was the victim of a copycat killer. This case is all about Rebecca. She’s the key.”
“West.” Kennedy sounded as cold as he had on the day of their first meeting. “We will discuss this when I get back.”
“Wait. Will you just hear me out? I know you don’t believe Boxner could be involved, but you can’t argue with the fact that he was on the scene. He was there. And he’s got access to those old files and the old evidence.”
Kennedy’s faraway voice said, “Can we pull over for a minute?” And then in Jason’s ear, a terse, “Hold on.”
Jason held on. He heard a door slam, heard what sounded like footsteps on gravel, and then Kennedy’s voice came on loud and clear.
“What part of leave it alone do you not get, West? Goddamn it. I am telling you leave it alone.”
“Leave what alone? The investigation we’re supposed to be working together? Aren’t you the guy who said we needed to keep open minds?”