Stolen Daughters (Detective Amanda Steele)

“But…” She considered how to word what she had to say next. “I wasn’t needing your help. I didn’t even know what to make of it myself.”

“But you took it to CSI Blair to have it processed. You must have ‘made enough’ of it to do that.”

She felt her cheeks heat with the betrayal. She should have known that CSI Blair would say something to Malone. She thought back to his chilly demeanor, and it had started around the time of the second fire. Blair must have told him then, but Amanda asked anyway. “When did she tell you?”

“That doesn’t matter. You should have told me.” His tone was more hurt than anger, and it caused remorse to set in.

“Yeah, I should have. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t let things like that fall through the cracks again.”

“I just didn’t want you to take me off the case.”

He regarded her, his face all bunched up. “Don’t you know me at all?”

“You’re telling me you wouldn’t have? Hill’s breathing down your neck.”

“You let me handle her.” He was so tight-lipped he could have been a ventriloquist.

She’d apologize again if it didn’t make her feel like she was playing on repeat.

Malone got up with a heave. He reached the door and told her, “Night.”

“Night.”

She returned to her desk, her mind lingering on her conversation with Malone and his words, “You let me handle her.” He had always proven to her that he had her back, so why would she ever think that would change?

She sank into her chair and opened her email. There was one from CSI Blair with two attachments. The still of their suspect and one of the Devil. It was certainly understandable why he gave people the creeps.

She quickly sent the Devil’s photo and a note about the Sunny Motel, Second Treasures, and Ritter Motel in Dumfries over to Patty Glover.

Then she proceeded to key in a business search for the Pansy Shoppe and found the names of the business partners—a man and woman, different last name.

She pulled their backgrounds. Neither had a criminal record. Both were single, lived separately, and held mortgages. Nothing was glaringly wrong with them, but what about their employees—past and present? She’d need to wait until morning as the place would have long been closed for the day. They’d probably also want a court order to part with their employee names.

She got the paperwork together to subpoena that information and sent it over to the judge on call. By the time she came in tomorrow, she should have the approval she needed and be able to march right to the Pansy Shoppe.

She got up and stretched her arms overhead. The clock told her it was now half past ten. “Let’s call it, Trent.”

Fifty-Two

Amanda had arrived at Central the next day to find the approved subpoena for the Pansy Shoppe employees in her email inbox. There was a card on her desk as well. Probably for her birthday and signed by everyone in the station. She didn’t resent getting older; if anything she was thankful. But she left the envelope unopened and headed for the flower boutique.

She called Trent from their parking lot to let him know where she was, and he told her that he’d just pick up where he’d left off last night.

She got out of the car and went inside. A bell rang when she entered, and Bonnie Pratt, who Amanda recognized as one of the owners, greeted her with a pleasant smile.

“What can I get together for you?” Bonnie asked.

Amanda hated to wipe the grin off the woman’s face, but she was there on business. She held up her badge. “I’m not here for flowers today.”

“Oh. All right, then. What can I help you with? I’m guessing this has something to do with that guy putting our name on his van? But I told the officer who came by that wasn’t us.”

“It’s in regard to that case, yes,” Amanda admitted. “But I’m going to need a list of your current and former employees. I have a warrant.” She pulled it up on her phone and showed Bonnie.

Bonnie’s lips moved as she read, then she met Amanda’s gaze and walked to the counter. She went behind it and clicked on the computer. Shortly after, a printer was humming to life. She snatched a sheet off the tray and handed it to Amanda.

There were fifteen employees listed with addresses and phone numbers. “That’s all?”