Hide and Seek (Criminal Profiler #1)(51)

“He tried to be a good brother to Cindy, but his life was football. She finally realized that and took off.”

“And Bruce stayed.”

“His future was here. He moved in with my family the second half of senior year.”

“I hear Cindy was really into the bonfires,” Macy said.

“The bonfires?”

Macy smiled. “You know, the big pregame events that were a good luck ritual for the Dream Team. Seems to me if you mix teenagers, booze, and hormones, it’s a recipe for something to happen.”

“I don’t understand your meaning,” he said carefully.

“Did anyone ever get hurt at those shindigs?”

He glanced quickly at the deputy but then shook his head. “Not that I remember.”

Macy reached in her breast pocket and pulled out the cylinder holding a buccal swab. “Would you allow me to swab the inside of your cheek? I’m gathering samples from every male who might have been in contact with Tobi those last days. It’s really just to eliminate you so I can move on to the real suspects.”

He hesitated. “How will DNA help you find Tobi’s killer?”

“I’m not sure it will, but we’re being proactive with the DNA testing given the recent news about the untested rape kits. It’s more of a PR thing.”

“I still don’t see how I figure into the equation.”

“Exactly. And the sooner I don’t have to look in your direction, the better for us both. It’ll only take a second. I promise.” He was an attorney and knew he could say no, and if she wanted to press, she’d have to get a court order.

“I’ll check with my attorney. If he gives the go ahead, I’d be glad to.”

“Why not just do it now?” Macy asked.

Kevin smiled. “I never deal directly with the cops even if I have a speeding ticket.”

Macy reminded herself that even innocent men were cautious. “Next time I see you, I’ll ask.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine with it. What’s going on with Debbie Roberson?” Kevin asked.

“Hopefully it’s all a false alarm, and she’ll show up just fine,” Macy offered. “Thank you for your time.”

Bennett rattled her keys as they moved toward their cars. “You believe Tobi’s killer is wrapped up in the Dream Team?”

When they reached Macy’s car, she drew a line under her notes and then jotted Kevin Wyatt’s name down. “I have no idea. But I have three unsolved rape cases and a murder from the year this Dream Team went all the way.”

Bennett’s brow knotted. “The team received a lot of exposure, which in turn brought to town a lot of people who weren’t normally here.”

“How can I find Rafe Younger?” Macy asked.

“I’ll see if I can track him down.”

“I’d like to speak to Debbie’s mother, too,” Macy said.

“Special Agent Crow, you’re here to investigate the rapes and murder, not this case.”

“Deputy, have you ever had one of those moments when a word you wish to recall is on the tip of your tongue, but for the life of you it remains out of reach?”

“Sure.”

“When I get that feeling with a case, I don’t ignore it. In fact, I run with it until that funny feeling goes away.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’ve got that feeling now.”

“You think Debbie’s case is related to Tobi’s?”

“It makes no logical sense, but I can’t shake the feeling.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

She thought for a moment and lightly touched the side of her nose. “I rarely am.”





CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tuesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m.

As Bennett parked her cruiser behind Macy’s car in front of the Roberson’s small brick rancher, Macy finished checking her emails and tucked her phone away. She looked up at the Roberson’s two-story house. It was painted in white and was chipped in several spots. The lawn was neatly raked with several mature trees still clinging to a few orange and gold leaves. A row of boxwoods ran along the front of the house in a freshly mulched bed.

Out of her car, Bennett settled her hat on her head and drew in a breath. “I don’t want to make a death notification to this woman.”

Macy had made a few death notifications, and each had left an indelible image in its own way. “I can never decide which reaction is worse. The stony silence of an elderly woman who’s lost her forty-year-old son or the hysterical tears of a man who’s learned his runaway daughter has been murdered.”

“How do you handle it?”

“Tuck the feelings away in a small box. Later, when you have time, you can deal with them.” Macy rang the bell. “Don’t even think about death notifications right now. Mrs. Roberson will sense it. As far as we know, Debbie is alive and well.”

“Do you really believe that?”

Instead of answering, Macy notched back her shoulders. “Let me ask the questions.”

“Sure.”

When no one came to the door, Macy rang again. This time a dog’s bark echoed in the house. Bennett’s gun belt creaked several times as she shifted her stance.