Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(69)
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Boyfriend: Derick Smith
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Friends: Aimee Fox, Kate Bright, Chad Johnson, Lucas Summerville
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Recent social interactions: Online gamer, Aunt Betty’s Café, computer store
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Suspects:
A. Lionel Provine: interacted with Felicity and unable to verify whereabouts B. Derick Smith: Felicity’s boyfriend, cannot account for time missing during a car delivery C, D. Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley: seen in forest at time of death
Kate:
Movements prior to death:
Last seen at home: Wednesday evening at approximately six
By whom: Parents
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What was she doing? In her bedroom playing online games
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Last seen alive: six fifteen by Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley
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What was she doing? Walking toward college
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Location: Stanton Road.
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What was she wearing? White top, blue denim jeans, cowboy boots, dark blue hoodie, earbuds.
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Boyfriend: Chad Johnson
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Friends: Aimee Fox, Lucas Summerville.
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Recent social interactions: Online gamer, Aunt Betty’s Café, computer store
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With: Lionel Provine and Aimee Fox, Lucas Summerville and Chad Johnson in computer store
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Suspects:
Lionel Provine: unable to account for whereabouts
Lucky Briggs and Storm Crawley: Seen in town at Aunt Betty’s Café approximately nine on Wednesday night
“What about Derick Smith?” Kane stretched out his long legs. “We haven’t really considered him, have we?”
Jenna chewed on the end of the pen. “Okay, I’ll add him with a question mark until you can speak to him again.” She sighed. “Take out Rogers, and all the others look pretty weak.”
“Nah.” Kane’s long fingers closed around his second cup of coffee. “I think we need to take a closer look at Lionel Provine. You have him as a key player in both cases. Both victims played online games and interacted on a social level with Lionel Provine. He lives alone and can’t prove his whereabouts during either murder.”
“Yes, I agree.” Jenna made some notes on the whiteboard. “The kids regard him as a gift horse. He has gotten close to them by giving them gift cards or whatever they use to obtain bonuses in their games. He could be skulking online and pretending he is a kid.”
“That’s a possibility. Those games rooms are open to everyone who purchases the game.” Kane peered at her with a worried gaze. “Pedophiles use them all the time to get close to kids. The fact they are able to swap bonus cards should be a red flag to any parent. Wolfe has been so busy with the forensic investigations he hasn’t had time to look at the victims’ laptops, and their cellphones are missing. He did a trace and couldn’t find any of them, so I would say they’ve been destroyed.”
“That fact alone makes me wonder if the killer has left a trail to him on their cellphones. Maybe not Joanne but the other victims.” Jenna went back to her seat. “He must be close to the local girls; this is why Rogers fits the profile as well. Computer-savvy, knows the girls, hangs around the computer store with Provine, was in the area both times the murders were committed. You said they must have known their killer to be lured to their deaths, or someone had up-close and personal information about their whereabouts.” She picked up her second coffee and sipped. “Rogers could be in the damn games room acting as if he is one of the kids.”
“So what is your next move?”
Jenna tapped her fingernails on the desk and considered his question. “I’ll wait here for Wolfe to return. I can’t leave at the moment. I sent Walters home as he is doing the six until midnight shift.” She rubbed her brow. “Go and lean on Lionel Provine and drop over to Miller’s Garage and have a chat with Derick Smith about where he was last night. I’ll call you if Wolfe has come up with any startling new evidence.”
“Sure.” Kane stood and towered over her. “What time is the lawyer due to arrive? I would like to be present for the interview if that’s possible, ma’am.”
“Three, so you have an hour.” Jenna looked up at him, way up, and smiled. “Would you like to interview Rogers?” She noticed his eyes flicker as if in surprise. “You are my expert of psychopathic behavior and if he is not the killer of our victims, we need to know. Although, dragging him across the table and beating a confession out of him is out of the question as he’ll have his lawyer in the room.” She bit back a snort of laughter.
When Kane’s dark gaze narrowed, she caught a flicker of the man who killed for his country without one shred of remorse.
“Yeah, I’ll be happy to interview him.” Kane inclined his head and examined her face. “If you order me to do anything else, it will have to be after the lawyer has left.” He turned to leave.