police was when Emilia said it. I immediately did as I was ordered.”
Bennett frowned. “This is your normal route through the park?”
“Yep. On weekdays, I run in the morning. But on Sunday, it’s always in the afternoon. You can ask my secretary.”
Was John lying? Or had the killer placed the body here on purpose knowing John would run past?
Claire stepped forward and took hold of John’s arm. “All right. Come with me down to the sheriff’s department. I want to get a full statement from you, along with a rundown of your activities for the last two days.”
“Okay. No problem.” He frowned. “But do you mind taking off the cuffs? I haven’t done anything wrong. I honestly didn’t know Bennett was a police officer when he tackled me. That’s why I fought back.”
Claire glanced at Bennett who nodded. “Go ahead.”
Emilia agreed. There was no reason to keep John in cuffs. Technically, he hadn’t committed a crime. It was better to have John continue cooperating with them.
Claire removed the cuffs and handed them back to Bennett before escorting John down the path. Emilia and Bennett followed at a distance. He dusted some pine needles off his shirt. “Well, these clothes are a total loss. Glad I have a spare set in my truck.”
Emilia plucked a leaf from the collar of his shirt. “Nice takedown, by the way.”
“Thanks.” His lips curved into a smile. “Appreciate the backup. We make a good team, Emilia.”
Warmth spread through her. They did make a good team.
Troopers and deputies milled about in the parking lot. Beyond the perimeter, reporters and onlookers chatted in groups. A little boy dodged the deputy standing guard and raced up to Emilia.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” He thrust a small poinsettia plant toward her. “This is for you.”
Emilia’s heart stopped. A florist stick held a card with her name typed on it. From the killer? It had to be.
She lifted her gaze to the little boy’s face. He was around eight, with big eyes hidden behind plastic-framed glasses. A chill raced down her spine at the thought of this innocent boy interacting with a cold-blooded murderer. “What’s your name?”
“Peter, ma’am.”
Emilia reached into her pocket and removed her leather gloves. She slipped one on and took the plant from him. “Where did you get this, Peter?”
“Some guy sitting over there in a ball cap.” He pointed to a picnic table several yards away. The bench was empty, and no one was standing nearby.
“Can you tell me what the man looked like?”
“No. He was wearing a ball cap and had a scarf around his face. But he told me I had to give this plant to the lady in a purple scarf and black jacket.” Peter’s brows dipped down. “That’s you, right? Because he paid me twenty dollars and I have to make sure I get it right.”
“It’s me.”
She scanned the crowd. The killer had been here. Watching. Might still be, although he was smart enough to have changed his appearance so Peter wouldn’t recognize him. Her throat tightened.
Bennett briefly touched Emilia, his palm flat against her back. A silent but gentle reminder that she wasn’t alone. She was grateful for it.
Emilia focused back on Peter. “How long ago was this? When did you talk to the man?”
Peter shrugged. “Don’t know. I was riding my bike, and he asked me to deliver the plant.”
Bennett waved a deputy over and had a hushed conversation. Emilia asked Peter some more questions, but the little boy couldn’t provide any further explanation. The killer had done a good job masking both his facial features and his voice.
When Bennett appeared back at her side accompanied by the deputy, Emilia said, “Okay, Peter. This policeman is going to take you back to your parents now.”
The little boy shifted in his dirty tennis shoes. “Am I in trouble?”
“No. Not at all.” Emilia forced herself to smile. “And the deputy will make sure your parents understand that.”
The deputy nodded. He patted Peter on the back. “Come on. Let’s find your folks.”
They walked across the parking lot.
Emilia was still holding the poinsettia, but at arm’s length as though it was a bomb. Her stomach ached.
Bennett pulled a set of gloves out of his pocket. He slipped them on. “Here, give it to me.”
She gladly handed the plant over. Emilia took a deep breath and removed the envelope. The flap wasn’t sealed. Carefully, she slid the card out, her fingers trembling slightly. The message was also typewritten. Reading it iced her blood.
I’m watching.
I’m coming for you,