Page 116 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“I don’t know yet.”

“That’s not helpful.”

“I’m trying.”

“Bring it in,” Nelson said. “I’m at the station another hour.”

“We’re coming now.”

They packaged the bracelet in a clean evidence envelope from Sabre’s supply cabinet. Neither handled it directly. JP sealed the envelope, wrote the date and time across the flap. He gathered up the packaging, then looked at Sabre.

“El Cajon?”

She was up and ready to go.

~~~

Detective Nelson met them in an interview room instead of the lobby. He was in his mid-forties; the fluorescent lights made him look tired.

He glanced at the envelope. “Is this the mystery gift?”

JP slid it across the table.

Nelson opened it carefully and tipped the bracelet onto a sheet of clean paper. He frowned. “That’s it?”

“It was messenger delivered to my office. No sender.”

Nelson examined the bracelet. “Why do I care about a kid’s bracelet?”

“Because it’s tied to the old Hannah Caldwell disappearance from about eight years ago,” Sabre said.

“Now things are starting to make some sense. So, Maddox and an eight-year-old cold case are connected through jewelry.”

“Bay asked for me before anyone should’ve known my connection to her,” Sabre explained. “Then I receive the text referencing Hannah. And now this shows up.”

“That still doesn’t explain the bracelet.”

Sabre pointed, but did not touch. “There should be seven charms. The missing one is a ladybug that I gave Hannah at the end of her case.”

Nelson’s eyes went wide. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He jumped up. “Wait here.”

He hurried out of the room.

JP looked at Sabre. “I wonder what that’s about.”

Five minutes later Nelson returned carrying a clear property bag. Inside was a small enamel charm, red with black dots. A ladybug.

He set it on the table. “This was removed from Bay when she was booked. She had no wallet. No ID. No phone. No cash. Just this in her front pocket.”

Sabre stared at the bag.

JP stared at the detective. “You didn’t think to mention that earlier?”

Nelson shrugged. “It was a trinket.”