The Last Sister (Columbia River)(10)

“Where did they move from?”

“Portland. I’m not sure where exactly. I think Sean’s family still lives there. I don’t know about Lindsay’s family.” Her forehead wrinkled as she thought. “I can’t remember her talking about them. I didn’t pry.”

“Were you her closest friend in town?”

She frowned. “She considered my sister Madison to be her closest friend.”

He glanced at the old photo of the three sisters. Emily stood out as the brunette between her two blonde sisters. The smallest girl had her arms spread wide and her chin tipped up as if she wanted the photo all for herself. He had no problem believing that she’d grown up to be a tiara-wearing waitress. Emily’s hands were on her hips, her legs long and thin, giving a hint of the tall woman she’d grow up to be. The oldest sister’s smile was coy, her gaze locked on the photographer. “Where’s your other sister?”

Emily turned her head to look at the picture. Zander had the feeling she’d done it to avoid eye contact, not to refresh her thoughts about her sister.

“I don’t know.”

Curiosity lit up his brain. Her tone had been flat, removed, and a distance formed between the two of them in the tiny office. He said nothing, waiting.

Emily finally looked away from the picture after a long silent moment. “Tara left town around twenty years ago. We haven’t heard from her since.”

Twenty years? No contact?

Zander looked back at the photo, and Tara’s coy gaze now felt directed at him.

Someone knocked on the door.

Without getting out of her chair, Emily stretched for the doorknob and easily opened the door. A teenage boy peered around the door, and his hair fell across his eyes. He shoved it out of the way and turned his attention to Emily.

“Hey, Em. Something’s happened to your car out back.”

She straightened. “Like what?” Concern in her tone.

The teenager grimaced. “Looks like they got your tires again.”

Again?

“Dammit!” Emily jumped to her feet and grabbed her purse. “We’ll have to finish this later, Agent Wells. I think we got through most of what happened this morning.”

“Call me Zander.” He stood. “I’ll come with you.”

He wasn’t done with Emily Mills.





6

Fury rocked through Emily as she stared at the two flat tires on her Honda. She pulled up the hood of her coat to avoid the rain and to hide her anger from Zander.

Two weeks ago it’d been four flat tires. And before that a broken passenger window.

What else will happen today?

She ached to go home and shut down her brain. It had experienced enough trauma.

Sucking in a breath, she focused on the issue in front of her. If her mind wandered to Lindsay and Sean, she’d crack.

“I’ve got to install cameras,” she muttered. She’d considered it after the first incident and then again after the second. Now she was kicking herself for letting it slide.

Isaac stood beside her, mist collecting in his hair. “I’m really sorry, Em. People are shit.”

“You didn’t see anyone?” Zander asked Isaac.

Isaac ran a hand through his long hair, and concern shone in his eyes. “No. I was taking a bag to the dumpster. I didn’t notice until I was walking back. I looked around then, but no one was here.”

“Is this where it happened before?” Zander asked her. He turned in a circle, scanning the small employee parking area behind the restaurant. “No cameras?”

“No cameras, and yes. Last time it was all four tires.” Emily swore under her breath. Buying four new tires had hurt. Now she had to find the money for two more. “I should have put up cameras. Would be cheaper than new tires.”

“You’d still have to buy new tires,” Isaac pointed out. “But at least we’d know who did it.”

She noticed Zander’s gaze lingering on Isaac. She understood. Isaac didn’t present the best first impression. His stringy hair was always in his eyes. He slouched. And his jeans always looked a half second away from falling to the ground. But he was a good kid. Emily trusted him.

“Did you report the last incident to the police?” Zander asked.

“No.” Emily felt her face flush. “I didn’t consider it worth their time.”

Zander’s silence felt judgmental.

“Do it this time,” he said quietly. He pointed at the back wall of the restaurant. “For decent coverage, you need a camera there, there, and over there. A couple out front would be a good idea too.”

Five cameras?

“I need to pay for new tires first.” And pay off the other four. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “I didn’t need this today.”

“Can I give you a ride somewhere?” Zander offered.

“I hate to take up your time.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll still be working during that time. We weren’t done.”

He grinned, and she blinked at the transformation of his face. The solemn, serious agent looked ten years younger when he smiled.

“In that case, you can drive me home. I’ll borrow one of my aunts’ cars.”

“Barton Mansion?”