there’s another Petra Olivet out there who decided to take things out on her tormenter rather than herself?”
“That’s a lot of speculation,” Trembley warned.
“Maybe,” Jessie conceded. “But between the name on that makeup mirror and the white rose in Corinne Weatherly’s hand, I’d call it informed speculation. That’s why we have to re-interview the one person who can shed some light on this. Are you ready to knock over some china, Trembley?”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” he moaned. “But I guess so.”
“Attaboy!” she said, buoyed by an enthusiasm that seemed impossible even ten minutes earlier.
She filled him in on the plan, then hurriedly turned off the lights and left the house. She locked up and walked to her car, looking over shoulder, wondering if Garland’s house was some kind of lucky charm. Then she mentally corrected herself.
My house.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Hannah felt duped.
For the last four hours, she’d been stuck in Kat’s thirteen-year-old Subaru Outback, armed with tepid air-conditioning, as the sun beat down on her. Even parked in the shade under a tree across from McMillan Park, the rays cut through the leaves, acting like a magnifying glass on her exposed legs.
“Remind me again why you’re sure this guy is going to show?” she asked.
Kat glanced over at her, with what Hannah interpreted as a look of contained irritation. Admittedly, she had asked a variation of this question multiple times.
“You can never be sure. But the suspect was here yesterday, just not selling to minors. I took photos and video of him in action. So it stands to reason that he’ll be back today.”
“But if you have photos and video, why not just turn them over to the cops now and get him arrested?” Hannah asked.
“Because the police aren’t my client,” Kat reminded her. “I’m being paid by a family who believes the guy is feeding this stuff to their son, Errol, and his friends. They want proof that he’s selling to kids, yes. But they specifically want evidence that he’s selling to Erroll. Once I have photos of their son with him, the parents can either take that to the cops directly or confront Errol. They’re not interested in busting every dealer, jut the one feeding their son.”
Hannah was quiet for second before responding.
“But even if you get definitive proof of this guy selling to their kid and the cops arrest him, won’t some new dealer just slide into his place and pick up where he left off?”
“That’s an excellent point, Hannah; one I made to them before they hired me. I suggested their money might be more wisely spent getting Errol into rehab. As long as he has the need, there will always be someone willing to meet it.”
“They didn’t go for that?”
Kat shrugged.
“They’re certain that if this dealer is taken off the streets, their son will get back on the straight and narrow and be the little boy they remember. I felt like I’d given them my honest assessment. They still wanted to pay me. So here we are.”
Hannah looked back down at her phone. Kat had sent her photos of the suspected dealer, as well as Errol and a half dozen of his friends so she could point them out if she saw them. She scrolled through the images, trying to imprint them on her brain. Some of the kids appeared to be older than their age. But Errol, who was apparently fifteen, looked closer to thirteen. He had braces, lots of pimples, and the same longish blond hair covering half his face that seemed to be required for teenage skateboarding boys.
“Listen,” Kat said, breaking her concentration. “I have to run to the restroom. Are you okay here?”
“Of course.”
“Keep the doors locked. If you see anyone who matches the pictures, text me right away. Cool?”
“Super cool,” Hannah said. “Are you able to grab me a coffee while you’re out?”
Kat shook her head reproachfully.
“I guess. It’s a good thing you’re already tall or I’d warn you that it will stunt your growth. You’ve already had two, haven’t you?”
Hannah gave her most angelic smile.
“I’m just trying to stay alert to do my best for Auntie Kat.”
Kat grunted in response as she got out and closed the door.
“Lock it,” she yelled through the closed window before heading off to the corner store they’d been using for supplies and bathroom breaks all morning.
When she was out of sight, Hannah returned her attention to the park. She’d never been here before and found it fascinating in a disturbing way.