Alone (Bone Secrets, #4)(8)

No shit.

“When she met up with another girl on the trail, I relaxed and was about to leave when I saw one more catch up. I followed the three of them just because I was curious. They were all dressed in white and were clearly excited about something.”

“They see you?” asked Ray. “It was pouring last evening. What about coats and umbrellas? How were they able to follow the trails?”

“They all had coats and umbrellas. Flashlights, too.”

“If they wore coats, how’d you see the dresses?” Mason asked, searching for inconsistencies.

Simon wasn’t rattled. “Their dresses were longer than the coats.”

“Did you have a flashlight?” Ray sniffed and wiped at his nose with a tissue.

“Yes, but I rarely use it. I know my way around and batteries are expensive.”

“Did you see how they entered the park? Did a vehicle drop them off?”

Simon shook his head. “They were already a half mile in before I came across the first one. No, they didn’t see me. At least the girls didn’t. It was when the guy—”

“A man was there?” Mason interjected. Their unknown death scene arranger?

Simon looked Mason in the eye. “Yes, a man, older than the girls. Tall, thin. He stared into the brush in my direction, so I left. I don’t know if he saw me or not. There were three girls with him when I left. I figured they were in a group big enough to be safe.”

“You’re the Lone Ranger of Forest Park? Watching out for people?” Ray asked.

The transient’s mouth twitched on one side. “I’ve broken up a scuffle or two. Drunken idiots. Usually I keep to myself.”

“You know your way around Forest Park in the dark? That’s a big place. Thousands of acres.” Ray sneezed again.

“I know that section of Forest Park perfectly. I don’t venture into the rest that much.”

Mason glanced at Bud, who was nodding along with Simon’s statements. The park ranger seemed to be comfortable with the man and was taking him at his word. Nothing Simon said had set off any concerns for the park ranger.

“So why follow the girls?” Mason asked. He wasn’t getting a predator vibe from Simon. He seemed smart and composed, but some of the sharpest criminals fit that description.

Simon was silent and glanced down at his hand on the dog’s head. “I have a daughter.”

Mason wondered how long it’d been since he’d seen her.

Bud Rollins spoke up. “Simon’s given me a hand a time or two. He didn’t want to come down today, but when I explained what’d happened up there, he said he’d describe what he’d seen.”

“What else can you tell us about the man? Age? Clothes?” Ray had his pencil poised over his notepad. “Would you recognize him again?”

Simon looked thoughtfully at Ray, paused and then shook his head. “I don’t think so. What sticks with me the most is that he was the opposite of the girls. Dressed in black. The girls listened to him, seemed to know him well. He wasn’t their age, definitely not teens like they were… but not middle-aged either, somewhere in between… maybe twenties or thirties?”

“You said they seemed excited?”

Simon nodded. “Chatter, body language.”

“You didn’t catch any of the conversation?”

He shook his head. “Wasn’t close enough.”

“Were they carrying anything else?” Ray made a note.

Simon’s brows came together. “I think some of the girls may have been carrying a small bag or purse. The man had a large duffel he’d slung over one shoulder. I only saw three girls—you say there were six altogether?”

Mason nodded. “You didn’t go look at where they were found?”

“I went to look this morning after hearing about it. Saw the police everywhere and left before I could get anywhere near it. One of the girls survived?” Simon asked.

“So far,” Mason said. “Doesn’t look good.” He glanced at his watch. He hadn’t heard an update on the girl at Emanuel Hospital in more than two hours.

“I’m gonna have someone come take a full statement. Tell them everything you can remember, no matter how insignificant it seems,” Ray directed. “Anything else you think we need to know right away?”

Simon was silent for a few seconds and then shook his head.

“What’s your last name, Simon?” Ray asked.

The room was silent as Simon and Bud exchanged a look.

“Parker,” Simon stated, looking calmly at Ray.

Mason held out a hand to the man. “We appreciate your help.” Simon stared at Mason’s hand for a brief second and then shook it firmly. Ray did the same and the detectives left the room. Mason took a deep breath of fresh air.

“Seems like a decent guy,” Ray commented as they headed back to their desks. “Think he has a camp in the forest?”

“Probably,” Mason muttered.

“Think he’s nuts?”

“No. But I don’t know what to make of him. He’s a little hard to read. Very mellow, very in control, and thinks before he speaks. Not like the usual transient from the street.”

Simon seemed to be a straight shooter, and Mason respected that. But he knew to not rush to judgment. By offering his help, Simon became their first suspect to clear.