Page 78 of Driven to Love

Nash shook his head. “I cannot imagine Frank doing anything to hurt Addison, but have you talked to him?”

“He was at the local library the night she was run off the road, and today he was at work.”

“Okay, what about Barnes?”

“Looked a little harder at him. The man has several registered firearms, but he’s out of town this week on a work trip. His hotel confirmed he checked in the night of her car accident and is still there.”

Nash felt the air seeping from his lungs, but he couldn’t lose hope. He scanned the list and paused. Something was missing. He ran a finger down the list. Where was the guy from Merc’s? “This list is missing someone. Corey. He drives a big Chevy and loves sports.”

“Corey Miller? I heard he was back in town.”

Nash nodded.

“Let me check into him.” Simon rapidly typed on his keyboard. He picked up his phone and made a call. Nash didn’t even pretend he wasn’t eavesdropping.

Simon hung up the phone and focused on his computer screen.

Something in Nash lit up like a Roman candle. “This could be our guy. Tell me what you know about him.”

“His parents have lived in the old Stagmeyer place just south of town for the last thirty years.”

Nash didn’t care about Miller’s parents. He wanted to know where the guy was and if he had Addison. Nash gestured with his hand to hurry up and continue.

“He’s an electrician. He works for a local contractor.” Simon read from the screen.

Nash moved closer, getting a peek at the background check on Simon’s screen.

Simon continued, “Miller moved to the Cities after graduation. His parents moved down south last year. It looks like he moved back six months ago and lives at the old homestead.”

Something in Nash clicked. The guy would have been around Addison’s age. “Had he known her in school? Could he have held a grudge for something?”

“Miller? I remember him. A skinny kid.” Simon’s expression looked far away.

“He’s not so skinny now.” The guy was ripped and taller than Nash.

“Could be. I was new to the force when his brother died in a car wreck.”

Nash wasn’t sure how Addison would fit into the scenario, but something told him that Miller was their guy.

“The guy’s as clean as a whistle. No priors.” Simon clicked a few more keys and frowned.

“What did you find?” Nash scanning the screen over Simon’s shoulder.

“It might be nothing, but Miss Benedict was one of the kids at the party with Miller’s brother the night of his death.”

A connection. Nash clenched his jaw, trying not to lose his cool.

“It could be nothing, but I just called Corey Miller’s boss, and the guy didn’t show for work today. I’ll swing by his house. If he’s not there, I’ll head to the job site to talk with his coworkers, see if I can get a read on him.”

“You check with the coworkers, and I’ll head to his place. See if he’s there. If he is or there are any clues, I’ll call you.”

Simon stood up, put both hands on his desk and leaned in, his best intimidating stare focused on Nash. “Don’t you be getting into this. This is a police matter.”

Nash leaned in, mirroring the detective’s pose. “If it has to do with Addison, it’s my business. Besides, the man broke into my house. That makes it my business.”

“We don’t know if it’s him.”

“We will, as soon as I go find him.” Nash’s nostrils flared like a bull. He wasn’t backing down.