question. The coroner needs to know what medications your mom was taking. There was nothing at the”—I almost say “crime scene”—“house she had rented. And there were no medicines at her house in Tacoma. Do you know if she was taking anything?”
“She wasn’t on any medication.”
“Are you sure?”
“She used to take something for depression. When Leanne’s killer was… gone, she found she didn’t need it anymore. She was busy with her work, and it seemed to be enough. Why?”
“The pathologist found a chemical in her blood. He was just wondering if it was a prescribed medication.”
“My mom would never take an illegal drug, if that’s what they think.”
“I’ll tell them what you’ve told me. They’re trying to get an identification of the chemical right now. I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. This is a new phone. Should I call Clay and give it to him? He was so nice.”
Clay? I wonder just how nice he is. “No. Not for now. We will keep it safe. Just call me when you plan on returning and I’ll pass it on to Detective Osborne. It’s better if fewer people have it.”
“Thank you. Remember your promise.”
“I will. Is there anything you need?”
“Just this guy dead.”
Before she can disconnect I say, “By the way, what did your mom say about Michael Rader? Did she have any contact with him after that one time?”
Silence fills the line as she thinks for a moment.
“No. At least I don’t think she did. But he scared her. Really scared her. She said you would know more about him than she would.”
Monique was right about that. Except I had run from Michael Rader. I’d never faced him. And then I never tried to find him again. It’s my fault that Monique is dead. I have to own that.
I ask one more question. “Can you give me a better description of Michael Rader? Any little thing your mom might have said.”
“She said you might have a better description than she did. She was pretty shook up after talking to him. All she could think of was that he might come after me and Sebastian.”
“That helps. I’ll be in touch. If you feel unsafe, you should call me.”
She promises and we disconnect. I hand Ronnie the phone number to store in her phone.
Just in case.
Ronnie looks at me expectantly. She’s still standing at my desk. I say, “He works at a prison. She can’t remember which one, but she thinks her mother said the women’s prison in Gig Harbor. He’s in his forties.”
“That’s great. Do you want me to call them?”
“Can you see if you can find a directory first? Maybe you can find something about the prison that will mention him in a news release or other activity.”
“Good idea, Megan.”
Of course it’s a good idea. I’ve been doing this since you were shopping for expensive clothes or getting your hair styled.
Thirty-Three
Ronnie went home at the end of the shift. Sheriff had gone to some Civitan thing and wasn’t going to be back. Nan left after looming over my desk, asking if we were getting anywhere with the murder. I told her an arrest was imminent. I figured I’d see myself quoted on the news tonight.
I went home, where I changed into jeans and a Washington State University T-shirt.
I slip my shoulder holster on. I take a kitchen chair and shove the back under the front doorknob. I would put salt on all the window ledges—salt is supposed to repel ghosts—but I don’t think it would keep the ghost of my past outside. I’ve learned from experience that if someone wants in your house, they will find a way. I’ve done it myself. I also know that no matter how hard you try to keep the past out of your mind, it will come back. Through dreams, or worse, through people.
With a box of wine on the edge of my desk, I fill a plastic Solo cup nearly to the rim. The box of tapes and the player are already out and waiting for me. The little spools on the cassette tape look like greedy eyes, hypnotizing me, drawing me in.
I am getting nowhere with this case. My gut is telling me it is someone very close to Alex Rader. Each clue points to the same person: Michael Rader.
It’s evening, and I imagine Ronnie is settled in, having a drink herself. Or watching The Bachelor. I don’t watch much television except for the news. It’s all delusion and lies and I already have enough