Hide and Seek (Criminal Profiler #1)(48)

The clerk smiled when he saw Bennett. “Deputy. I got that footage for you. You’re going to be interested to see it.”

Bobby sized up Macy, branding her an outsider. “You can see it in the back office if that will help.”

“Thanks, Bobby. And this is Special Agent Macy Crow. She’s with the FBI.”

“FBI? I saw you on the television today during that announcement you made. Get any good tips on the hotline yet?”

“Not yet, but it’s early,” Macy said.

“So what are we looking for?” Bobby asked.

“I’m looking for Debbie Roberson,” Macy said. “She’s still missing.”

“You think this killer has her?” Bobby asked.

“Hard to tell,” Bennett said. “But folks like you helping will make all the difference.”

Bobby came out from behind the counter, and they followed him past the snack and chip aisle and beyond the beer coolers to a small office. The neat space featured a desk, a chair, a bulletin board with the month’s work schedule, a personalized coffee mug, and four sharpened pencils lined up in a neat row. Front and center was a dated computer running four feeds from the store’s security cameras.

Bobby clicked on the upper right image, which showed the front of the store. He backed up the imaging forty-seven hours and hit “Play.”

“I didn’t realize she was missing until you called. I remember seeing her a couple of days ago, but she looked fine and there was no sign of any trouble.”

“What day was she here, Bobby?” Bennett asked.

“Saturday evening. She said she was grabbing a few groceries to get her through the next couple of days until payday. She said her extra money had gone to fixing a flat tire. I offered to float her a few days, but she said she didn’t mind peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

“Did she say how she got the flat?” Macy asked.

Bobby shrugged. “Picked up a nail.”

“Was she alone when she came in the store?” Macy asked.

“She was.”

“And she didn’t appear nervous or upset? Hurt? Sick? Depressed?”

“No, normal Debbie,” Bobby said.

“Do you remember where she parked in your lot?” Macy asked, hoping small-town life meant people paid closer attention to details like that.

“As a matter of fact, I do remember. She parked off to the side.”

“Any idea why?” Macy asked.

“Because the kids from the high school were here. They take over the parking lot and store when they come through. It was after the postseason football party.”

“How did the team do this year?” Macy asked.

Bobby shook his head. “Not well. Ended with a five-and-four season.”

“Not like the Dream Team days, right?” Macy prompted.

Bobby grinned. “That season will go down in history,” he said.

“Shame about Tobi,” Macy said.

“Yeah.”

“Did you know her? I mean, seems everyone in Deep Run knows everyone.”

“I knew her,” Bobby said. “She was nice.”

“Did Debbie say if anyone else was in her car?” Bennett asked.

“If there were, she never mentioned it,” Bobby said.

Macy sensed Bennett’s impatience as Bobby fast-forwarded the video. She leaned in as the footage skimmed back in time to Saturday evening.

Bobby hit “Stop” at the 9:05 p.m. time stamp and then hit “Play.” The camera caught a collection of teenagers bustling through the front door. They were laughing, and two were kissing. “That was about the time a few kids tried to buy beer, but I carded them all. I’m not going to lose my liquor license over a couple of kids. I don’t care if they are on the football team.”

Macy imagined that comment was for the deputy’s benefit. Both women kept their gazes on the black-and-white feed and watched as Debbie, dressed in pastel scrubs, entered the store. They watched her grab peanut butter and bread and head directly to the register. She spoke to the clerk briefly and then exited the store.

“That’s Debbie Roberson,” Bennett said.

Macy studied the woman’s face, looking for signs of stress, worry, or even happiness, as if she were glad to see someone. Just as Debbie moved offscreen, her expression seemed to change. “Can you back that up?” Macy asked.

“Sure.”

“Play it in slow motion.” As the scene unfolded again, Macy watched as Debbie exited the store and her eyes shifted from casual to alert. She had seen something or someone. “Do you have a camera that covers this area?” Macy pointed to the top right corner of the screen.

“Not totally, but camera three records from a different angle.” He clicked on camera three, and the trio watched it catch the edge of a blue four-door Ford Focus. A man rose up out of the car, but his head was downcast, making it impossible to see his face.

“Do you know who that is?” Macy asked Bennett.

“No.”

“What about you, Bobby? Did you see the guy?”

“No. I was trying to make sure the teenagers didn’t walk out with half the store.”

“Would any of those kids have been out in the parking lot about that time?” Macy asked.