as Alice’s boyfriend in the case file.”
“No. It was probably Alice’s mom who said that. I met her once when I picked Alice up for a date. Mrs. Nelson believed we were a couple, and I didn’t correct her.” He shrugged. “Silly, perhaps, but the assumption seemed harmless. I didn’t want to upset Mrs. Nelson or embarrass Alice.”
The explanation was reasonable, but something about the man put Emilia on edge. She couldn’t put her finger on why. His answers were too smooth, as if they’d been practiced.
“Did Alice discuss any problems before her disappearance?” Bennett asked. “Or complain about someone bothering her?”
“Not that I know of.” John was quiet for a long moment. He tugged on his shirt. “Listen, I don’t want to speak badly about Alice, but she didn’t have the best taste in friends. It was part of the reason I hesitated to move past a few dates with her. Alice hung out in a crowd that liked to party.”
“Drugs?”
He nodded. “And alcohol. I had just taken over the business after my father’s death and I didn’t have time for all that nonsense.” John blew out a breath. “Alice was a sweet girl, and smart. But there was a self-destructive side to her. Her mother and father had a terrible divorce, and it really messed her up.”
Emilia felt a pang of sympathy for Alice. She knew what it was like to feel lost. “Did you speak or see Alice on the night she disappeared?”
“Yes. I stopped by the Blue Grill on my way home to pick up a to-go order, and Alice was working the register. We chatted about our families and work. Alice mentioned she was catching a ride home from Derrick. He worked in the back as a dishwasher.”
“What kind of relationship did Derrick and Alice have?”
“They were friendly. I know they hung out sometimes. Beyond that, I couldn’t say.” He checked his watch and rose. “I’m so sorry, but I need to get back to work. I was supposed to have these property assessments organized last month, and it didn’t happen.”
“Absolutely.” Emilia rose. “Thank you for your time.”
She offered her hand. John took it, clasping her hand in both of his. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Special Agent Sanchez.”
A shiver raced down her spine. John’s expression was perfectly polite, but something lurked in the shadows of his eyes. Emilia yanked her hand back.
Was she staring at a killer?
Cold wind slapped Bennett’s cheeks as he left John’s office. Dusk had given way to evening and rain pattered against the small porch. Emilia’s expression was taut as she shrugged on her jacket.
Bennett settled his hat on his head before unfurling his umbrella and offering it to her. “Here.”
“No, we can share.” She slid closer to him. “The car isn’t far.”
His heart skipped a beat. There was no chance of a romantic relationship with Emilia, but it was hard to ignore the effect she had on him.
Bennett tilted the umbrella so it covered Emilia more than him. The scent of her perfume teased his nose. It was clean and fresh, like citrus. He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her down the sidewalk.
Emilia kept her voice low. “What did you think of John?”
“He seemed helpful and answered our questions. Still, I want to look into him more. He’s connected to several of the victims and Derrick.”
She nodded. “John pretended not to know me, but I swear he recognized me when we walked in.”
“He may remember you from last year. Your face was on the news for a few nights in a row.”
She frowned. “Maybe. I’m close to this case and that colors my reactions.” Emilia hopped into the passenger seat. “Let’s visit Mrs. Nelson and see what she can tell us.”
Marcy Nelson lived two minutes away on a residential street close to the center of town. Her home was small, but the yard was tidy. Bennett handed Emilia his extra umbrella, and they got out of the car.
Water spattered Bennett’s boots as he traversed the walkway to the front door. He pushed the doorbell, but no one answered. The window curtains were drawn.
“I don’t think she’s home,” Emilia said.
“Yoo-hoo!” A neighbor waved from across the street. Bennett recognized her as one of his mother’s friends, Jan Kirkland. He waved back.
Jan wrapped her sweater around her waist, hugging herself against the cold. “Bennett, are you looking for Mrs. Nelson?”
“Yes, ma’am, we are.”
“She’s on a trip visiting her sister and won’t be back