Page 30 of Girl Long Gone

“Sounds far-fetched, but I can run a search. Maybe I’ll come up with something we’re missing.” They needed to cover every angle. “Find any connections with Gabriel and Hayley?”

“A few loose links. We didn’t find Gabriel or anyone with the initials LN, but there was a guy who works for Gabriel and another guy who went to school with him.” Mark grabbed a file from the desk and flipped it open, pulling out a sheet of paper. “I have uniforms conducting interviews with most of the men from the sites, but I thought you’d want a crack with these two. The first is Kevin Myers. He started working for Gabriel’s dad when Gabriel was in college and now runs most of their construction projects.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Wilson helped Gabriel with a situation in high school. I met the guy and something about him rubbed me the wrong way. I need to figure out if he’d be sick enough to help his son capture and kill women.”

Mark closed the file, and his sharp blue eyes bore into Connor’s. “What situation?”

Connor rubbed a palm over his head. Shit. He hadn’t told Mark about his talk with Simon. “We spoke with the guy who was friends with Gabriel from high school. Turns out this Simon guy discovered Gabriel’s secret obsession with killing birds and placing them in birdhouses he built. The next day Simon was pushed into traffic and hit by a car. When Simon’s parents went to look for the houses, they were gone. Either Gabriel got rid of them himself, or he had help.”

Mark tightened his fist around the file in his hand and clenched his jaw. “Simon Thompson?”

Connor lowered the paper in his hand and studied Mark’s now-white face. “I never told you his full name.”

“You didn’t have to. He’s the other name we found on Hayley’s account.”

Evelyn wiped the makeup off her face and studied her tired eyes in the bathroom mirror. Dread had settled in the pit of her stomach as soon as she’d accepted Gabriel’s dinner invitation and had stayed there until she’d finally cancelled. As much as she wanted to help prove Gabriel’s guilt, putting herself in the direct line of danger was not the way to do it.

Lacey popped her head in the doorway, her beachy waves way too perfect for a quick trip to the store. “Abbie’s asleep. Ben’s waiting for me downstairs. I won’t be gone long.”

Evelyn turned, unable to stop the grin from taking over her mouth. “Nice of Ben to take you to the grocery store.”

Lacey shrugged. “We need a few things, and I don’t feel safe going by myself. Not with everything going on.”

A stab of guilt pierced Evelyn’s side. Lacey would have been pissed if she’d found out about her stupid plan. They both had enough to worry about without adding fuel to the fire. “You look nice.”

A rosy pink stain darkened Lacey’s face, and she averted her gaze. “I just threw on a sweater and jeans. No big deal. You sure you’re okay with listening for Abbie?”

“I’ve been watching that kid since she was two. I’m fine.”

Lacey laughed and threw her palms in front of her. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Thank you, and I’ll be back soon.”

“Take your time,” Evelyn called to Lacey’s retreating form.

Returning her gaze to the mirror, Evelyn gave her wiped-clean appearance one last look before heading for the kitchen for something covered in chocolate.

Ring, ring, ring.

She turned and searched for her phone, which sat on the tall table behind the sofa...next to Lacey’s keys. Crap.

Casting a quick glance to the screen, Evelyn answered the phone with a smile. “Hi, Connor.”

“Hey. Just checking in. Ben mentioned he was taking Lacey to the store. Wanted to make sure you were all right by yourself.”

His concern warmed her. She picked up Lacey’s keys and twirled them around her finger. “I’m fine, but thanks for checking. Abbie’s asleep, and I’m about to sneak some cookies from my secret stash.”

Connor laughed. “Sounds like an exciting night. I’d rather be eating cookies in a quiet apartment right now.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m in your neck of the woods, actually. I’m interviewing a guy who works for Gabriel. Mark found a connection between him and Hayley I want to check out.”

Knock, knock.

“Hold on a second. Lacey forgot her keys.” Evelyn fisted the keys and grinned, an interesting idea posing as she reached the door. “Did you say you’re in my neck of the woods? Maybe you could come over. Keep me company until our friends get back with groceries. I’ve got coffee...” She lowered her phone to her side.

A man in a brown hat and uniform stood outside her door with a package in his hand, his face turned to the side as he spoke on his phone.

Leaving the chain across the door, she turned the deadbolt lock and opened the door a fraction. “Can I help you?”