Whisper in the Night (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“Roger that.” Kane jogged back to the vehicle.

Jenna watched as he unclipped his tracker button and pushed it under the driver’s seat of Kittredge’s vehicle, then closed the door without a sound and gave her a nod. She pressed her mic. “It’s done.”

“It’s working fine.” Wolfe sounded stressed to the max. “We’re going to do a drive-by of Anderson’s house. I’ll ask the neighbors if he’s been home anytime today. I doubt Kittredge would risk taking Julie to his room at the Triple Z.”

“Roger that.” Jenna looked at Kane. “Let’s go. You drive.” She turned to the truck when she heard a familiar voice.

“I’m gonna have to get me one of those orders of protection against you, Sheriff.” Kittredge stood, hands on hips, eyeing her with disgust. “It’s not been more than a few hours and here you are in my face again.” He waved his cellphone at her. “I figure I’ll give Sam Cross a call.”

Jenna spun around to glare at him. “Go crawl back into your hole, Kittredge. I wouldn’t waste a second of my time on you.” She climbed into Kane’s truck and looked at his astonished expression. “Drive.”

“Where to?” Kane headed down the long tree-lined driveway.

“The Rosens’. Anderson is back there working today, installing panic buttons.” She gave Kane a sideways glance. “I’m not sure I’d be happy having Anderson back after what happened to Lindy.”

“He wasn’t charged, so he’s innocent until proven guilty. I figured it was Kittredge until Lancaster went missing. We might be wasting our time here.” Kane accelerated along the winding road, made a left then drove the two hundred yards to the Rosens’ ornate gate. “That’s new.”

As they slowed to pass a group of men using a post-hole digger, Jenna looked back at Kane. “I figure that’s an electric fence going up. No doubt they’ll have a camera fitted on the gate later.”

Jenna’s cellphone rang. It was Rowley. “Did you locate Lancaster?”

“Nope. I asked the neighbors, they haven’t seen him. It looks like he’s left.”

Jenna bit her bottom lip. “Okay, check at the car detailers and Aunt Betty’s, see if anyone’s seen him.”

“Roger that.” Rowley disconnected.

She looked at Kane. “I hope we didn’t let the killer go free.”

“So do I.” Kane grimaced.

When they reached the Rosens’ home, Anderson’s truck was nowhere in sight. “This doesn’t look good.” She slipped out of the passenger seat and hurried up the front steps.

Jenna knocked on the front door. Mrs. Rosen, looking pale and shattered, opened the door and stared at them blankly.

“Yes? Have you found the animal who murdered Lindy?”

“No, I’m sorry, not yet.” Jenna swallowed hard. She could see the woman’s pain. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“More questions? You had me going through Lindy’s things again and now you want more information? Why aren’t you out searching for her killer?”

“We’re doing everything possible but we still need your help.” Jenna looked into the woman’s red-rimmed eyes. “This is why we’re here. Can you tell me if any of the technicians from Silent Alarms have been by today?”

“They have. A couple of them stopped by and Charlie has been here since around midday, I guess. He’s been back and forth all afternoon.”

Jenna exchanged a long look with Kane. “Can you be more specific?”

“He went into town to buy lunch and pick up some parts. Came back around three and then left about a half-hour ago.” Mrs. Rosen blinked as if trying to understand. “Why? He isn’t a suspect, is he?”

Jenna shook her head. She hated lying to the woman but if Anderson was involved, she might be placing her in danger. “We don’t have any suspects but we’re keeping track of people who knew Lindy.”

“I’ve nothing else to tell you.” Mrs. Rosen shut the door in Jenna’s face.

“Poor woman.” Kane turned to leave and indicated to the driveway. “Well, I’ll be darned.”

Jenna spun around as Charlie Anderson’s pickup pulled up beside Kane’s truck. She lowered her voice to just above a whisper. “Now what? Can you sneak my tracker into his pickup?” She pulled it from her buttonhole and passed it to him.

“That’s the plan.” Kane smiled at her. “Distract him, and I’ll drop it somewhere. Leave your mic on so I’ll hear what he’s saying.” He headed back to his truck.