Page 140 of It Runs in the Family

“You said you overheard that the JP estimated Rebecca had been dead for six hours,” Boone said. “That was a little after eight, which would place her time of death around two a.m. If Selena was in Rebecca’s room at two, there’s a good chance she didn’t have anything to do with Rebecca’s murder.”

“True.” My relief was palpable.

“But it sounds like Eddie and Selena were lookin’ for something. The question is, what? I’d say the flash drive, but Selena left it at her sister’s house, so why would she look for it at Rebecca’s?”

“Agreed,” I said, “But what if Selena forgot she’d left the flash drive in the jacket pocket? Maybe she thought Rebecca had it.”

“She forgot where she left something she stole?” he asked in disbelief.

“Maybe,” I conceded. “She’s easily distracted.” But even I had to admit it was a reach.

“They obviously thought Rebecca had something they wanted, and someone likely killed her for it.”

That was a sobering thought.

“It’s long past lunch,” Boone said. “I’m starving. Let’s go somewhere and grab a bite and figure out our next move.”

“Okay,” I said absently, trying to figure out what Selena had been looking for. The flash drive seemed the most logical thing, despite it still being in Selena’s belongings. Then again, there was plenty I didn’t know about.

“My contact finally got back to me,” Boone said, keeping his gaze on the road. “Rebecca had an arrest a couple of years ago for a DUI. They had her fingerprints on file, so that’s how they ID’d her.”

I didn’t say anything.

“Iris?” he said, sounding concerned. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just tired,” I said, resting my elbow on the window ledge and my chin on my palm. “I’ve spent the last two nights on Garrett’s sofa, and I haven’t slept very well.”

“Do you want to take a break?” he asked.

“Where would I go? I can’t go to my apartment, but I guess you could drop me off at Garrett’s.”

“I was thinkin’ we could swing by my motel room.” He gave me a cautious glance before turning back to the road. “I want to do a deeper dive on the flash drive. I think Dario Voss wants it. Bad. I want to see if I can figure out why.” He gave me another quick glance. “But I could work at a restaurant if you’d prefer to stay somewhere public.”

“We can go to your room,” I said. “It’s probably better if I’m out in public with you as little as possible.” I grimaced. “No offense.”

He chuckled. “None taken. And I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

“Okay. Let’s go with your plan.”

He drove to a fast-food restaurant and ordered food for both of us, then headed to a dive motel that rented out by the week.

“I know the outside looks like shit,” Boone said as he parked, then shot me a grin. “And it’s just as shitty inside.”

I released a soft laugh. “I’m used to shitty.”

We got out and walked to the door of his first-floor room. He used a key card to unlock the door and pushed it open for me to go inside.

The décor was old, but it looked clean. The queen-sized bed was made, and a legal pad sat on a small round table with two chairs. An older television was on the dresser. A sink was at the back of the room, and a door to what I presumed was the bathroom was next to it.

Boone set the food bag on the table and dropped his backpack on the floor next to it. I sat in one of the chairs as he pulled the food out of the bag, setting a burger and fries in front of me. I opened the wrapper, watching Boone as he sat down and started to open his.

“Tell me about your brother,” I said.

Surprise filled his eyes. “You want to know more about Cody?”

“Yeah, I figure I’m helping save him too. I’d like to know more about him.”

He gave it more thought than I’d expected. “What do you want to know?”