“Chris’s name on that call list is definitely a lead we need to follow, but we don’t have any connection from him to the women—only a connection to Jeff Lamb. I think if we find that those families are past clients, that’s some hard evidence that could get us a warrant.”
“I don’t know if Emma will feel comfortable giving out that information,” said Tessa.
“I’ve found that asking nicely gets me a lot of facts that I didn’t expect,” said Cate. “Most people like to be helpful. The worst that could happen is she says no, so we’ve got nothing to lose.”
Tessa eyed Mike. “Maybe you should wait outside since you’re not a familiar face.”
He agreed and stepped off the sidewalk to head to the other side of the street.
“I’ll ask Bruce to drive by Chris’s house and see if his car is there,” said Tessa, pulling out her phone. She swiftly sent a text and then followed as Cate opened the office door and entered.
“Hi, Cate, Tessa,” Emma said cheerily from behind the reception desk. “Abby, say hello.”
Her daughter was on her knees at the waiting room’s coffee table, coloring in a book. She looked up and nodded gravely at the two women. “Hello.” And she went right back to coloring.
“What can I do for you two?” Emma asked.
“A friend of mine used Chris to find a vacation rental about four years ago, but she doesn’t remember the address,” said Cate. “She wanted to recommend it to someone else. Do you think you could find the rental record?”
“I think so,” said Emma as she pulled her keyboard close. “What’s her name?”
“Nayla Reynolds.”
Emma hummed softly as she typed and studied the screen. Cate was pleased that the young woman had landed on her feet in a job she seemed to like.
“Here we go. Nayla and Tim Reynolds. I’ll write down the address for you.”
Cate glanced at Tessa, who widened her eyes. Her idea had paid off.
Chris Corbin worked with one of them.
“Can you check one more name?” Cate wanted to hold her breath. “Tianna DeLeon.”
Emma input the name and scrolled several times. “I’m not seeing that name . . . could it be under something else?”
“Maybe her husband’s name? Is there a DeLeon at all?”
Emma shook her head. “Nothing’s coming up.”
Disappointment rocked Cate.
At least we have one. He could have crossed paths with Tianna in a different way.
“Thanks, Emma,” said Tessa. “See you later, Abby.”
“Later, alligator,” the little girl said without looking up from her coloring book.
“After a while, crocodile,” Cate added as she followed Tessa out the door.
They crossed the street to Mike and told them what they’d found. Tessa’s phone beeped.
“Bruce says there’s no car at Chris’s house. He’s asking if we want him to knock.”
“No,” said Mike. “Again, I don’t want to give anything away, especially now that we have a connection between him and Nayla Reynolds.” He looked to Tessa. “Can you put together a team to approach the home with me? If he’s there, all the better.”
“Kurt and I can be ready in a half hour,” Tessa said.
“Perfect. I appreciate the support. We’ll just ask him some questions.” He looked to Cate. “You coming?”
“Yes.”
I wouldn’t miss it.
Henry stood beside Cate as they hung back at the road behind the police vehicles, watching as the three deputies and Mike walked up to Chris’s front door. Henry had texted Cate a half hour ago, hoping to meet at home for dinner, but Cate had said she was going with the police. He pressed for details and was shocked.
Chris Corbin.
That can’t be right.
He didn’t see a killer in the quiet man. Chris had been to Henry’s clinic a number of times, trying to get his high blood pressure under control. Henry had adjusted his medications until they’d found the right drug and dose. He’d found the real estate agent intelligent, and they’d had several discussions about football, fishing, and Los Angeles, where Henry had lived and where Chris had spent a few years during college.
They’re looking at the wrong man.
A shudder went through Cate, and Henry felt it against his arm. Her gaze was locked on the officers. Kurt and Bruce had split away from Mike and Tessa, and they went to each side of the house. Kurt took a position where he could see one side and the front of the home, while Bruce went farther down the other side until he had a view of the rear of the home.
If someone tried to leave the house, they’d