and cataloged before setting it aside depending on its destination.
“Most of this will go back under lock and key. But these shoes…”
“Go to the lab,” Gemma finished. She stared at the pair of ordinary canvas running shoes, size eleven. “Tell me again how you know these didn’t belong to Todd.”
“Because every other pair of shoes in Todd’s closet was a size ten.”
“Why would the killer leave behind a pair of cheap shoes?” Distracted, she touched the amulet around her neck. The four stones sent a charge of electricity through her. The sudden heat had her releasing the totem as if it had turned into a burning piece of coal.
She glanced down at another baggie, then reached for one containing the plastic dolls, a matching set of four. All the baby dolls wore diapers and a pink top. Each doll fit in the palm of her hand.
“I think these dolls signify the four victims,” Gemma revealed. “Why would the killer bring these to the scene, though?”
Lando leaned back in his chair and scratched the stubble on his chin. “It would appear that we have a real whodunnit on our hands.”
Gemma got to her feet and stretched her back. “Yeah, but what I don’t get is how you can say Ben’s murder isn’t connected. He obviously figured out the puzzle.”
“After several years,” Lando charged, feeling a slice of envy. “Ben didn’t do it overnight. He had years to study the clues.”
“Then we’ll need to do the same.”
Lando grinned at the self-assured statement. “It might mean a twenty-four-seven focus.”
“What’s different about that than any other case we’ve cracked?”
Interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone, Lando sat up straighter. “It’s Jeff.” Without a hello, he began firing questions at Tuttle. “What do you have for me? What caliber weapon am I looking at?”
“Thirty-two caliber. Close range. I’m afraid Zurcher didn’t stand a chance.”
“Good to know. Keep me posted if anything else pops.”
“Will do.”
After ending the call, Suzanne knocked on the doorframe and stuck her head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have Sadie Sawyer at the front desk making such a fuss. She wants to make a formal complaint about Jimmy giving her another parking ticket down at the market.”
Gemma rolled her eyes. “Note to Lando. Ben didn’t have these kinds of interruptions. Life invariably intervenes, shifting the focus to other things. In this case, I wonder if Ben ever had to go head to head with Sadie Sawyer?”
“Tell her to stop parking in a loading zone, and Jimmy will stop writing her up.”
“I’ve told her that for the past six months. But does she listen?”
Lando waited for his wife to head out the door before picking up the phone. When Zeb answered, he went into his pitch. “You wanted details about Ben’s murder, right? How about making it official? You and Leia come for dinner tonight, and we’ll discuss the problems I’m facing with the investigation.”
“Leia’s working until close. Does the offer still hold?”
“Sure. Come hungry. I think Gemma mentioned she’s making homemade pizza.”
Tossing together a homemade pizza after work was news to Gemma. But once she accepted the fact there would be one more at the table for supper, she went grocery shopping. She arrived back home with everything she needed. The best pizza started with the best ingredients, pepperoni and Italian sausage. From there, she added the best jar of sauce that Two Sisters stocked. And for the pizza dough, she went with the brand that Leia used at the restaurant.
Standing at the kitchen counter, she rolled up her sleeves and got busy. After preheating the oven, she spread the dough into two round pans. With toppings enough for two pizzas, a veggie for her, a meat lover for the guys, she used two jars of sauce as a thick base, then added the main ingredients, topped with enough cheese to create a gooey pie. After sliding the pans into the oven, she fed the dogs and set the table.
When the doorbell rang, she assumed it was Zeb but was surprised to see Lianne standing on the stoop bundled up in her coat and gloves.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I need to talk to you.”
“Come on in,” Gemma said, ushering her into the living room. “I just put pizzas on to bake. Homemade. Stay and eat with us.”
“Are you sure it’s okay with Lando?”
“Lianne, stop that. You’re welcome here any time. Give me your coat and get comfortable.”
While Gemma hung it on the peg in the entryway, Lando