record is exemplary. His parole officer said he followed the rules of his parole. Even the neighbors said he was a good father and a good neighbor. He appeared genuinely shocked to hear Josie Montalvo was dead.”
“He’s talking now?”
Ray heaved a sigh. “He’s still not talking, but I could tell from his body language. His attorney wanted a deal. I think Jessica James’ death threw a monkey wrench into it.”
“Will you investigate Danny’s father for her murder?”
“No. When the sheriff heard the definite connection to Danny, he took me off the case. I’m back on patrol duty for the month.”
The sheriff’s office in our county was fortunate to have only tenured members. The sheriff had decided that every deputy would have the chance to work investigations, so they took turns. When a deputy was not assigned to an investigation, he was on patrol, usually in hopes of finding another investigation to pursue. The sheriff must know what he was doing. Employee morale in his department was exceptionally high.
“So you’re not going to be involved?”
“You can bet I’ll be looking for her body under every bridge and haystack.”
Ray’d probably find it, too. “What should we tell Danny?”
“Nothing. His father’s not in the lockup any more. He’s in the jail. I’ll take Danny to visit him tomorrow. He can tell Danny what he thinks is right.”
I felt a niggling of suspicion. “Are you hoping he’ll come home and share the story with us?”
Ray ran his finger down the bridge of my nose. “Only if it helps the two of them, Darlin’. Only if it helps.”
Over our dinner of leftovers, I told Ray and Danny about Mr. Murphy witnessing Erica’s departure from her apartment in the company of the man I believed to be Maury Boor.
“And he was driving a white car, a four-door import. Mr. Murphy didn’t know which make or model. What are the odds it could be another white Toyota Camry?”
Danny choked and sputtered on his milk as his gaze shot to my face.
Ray studied Danny. “What do you think, Danny?”
“I don’t know.” He focused on his mashed potatoes.
Ray turned to me. “Camrys are one of the most popular cars on the road, especially white ones. They last forever, and they don’t show the dirt as much. We must have several dozen in this county alone.”
I knew that. But I’d been hoping Ray would tell me something different—I’d been imagining all sorts of scenarios involving my sister, a psycho killer, and a white Camry, not to mention dry ice in a cooler.
Ray continued, “After dinner, I’ll make some calls to Syracuse. See if I can find a season ticket holder named Boor. I’ll call the DMV and see if I can find a Camry registered to a Boor, too.”
Danny finished his plate and rose from the table.
Ray fixed an eye on him. “I didn’t hear you ask to be excused.”
“May I be excused?”
“What’s the magic word?”
Danny wrinkled his brow and thought for a moment. I began to despair in earnest for his upbringing. Finally, he got it. “Please?”
“First take your dishes to the sink.”
Danny carried them over, then disappeared into the living room. I expected to hear the television again. Instead, he reappeared with his backpack in hand. “I have homework.” He stared pointedly at the table.
I scrambled to my feet. “Let me clear the dishes and you can sit here to do it.”
Ray helped me carry the dishes to the sink. He leaned close to my ear. “Good to see him showing some responsibility. I’ll go make those calls.”
I started to load the dishwasher. “I need to run over to The Lincoln House and ask some of the dinner shift crew about Erica and Maury Boor. Maybe one of them knows more about Maury.”
“Go ahead. I’ll babysit.”
I wanted to tell Ray that it’s not babysitting when it’s your own child, but, then, Danny wasn’t really our child. He was definitely temporary; just how temporary, Social Services and the penal system would have to determine. Four years for car theft was a far cry from a murder sentence. I wasn’t naïve enough to hope Jessica James was still alive. I could only hope Danny’s father wouldn’t be convicted of killing her. Danny wanted to be with his father, and, even with his obvious faults, his father did love Danny.
Just like I loved my sister. But, boy, could she be a pain in the ass. As I guided my Lexus over the roadways in the direction of The Lincoln House, I