Cara Putman - Deadly Exposure

“Jamison, I don’t think you’ll like what we learned.” Denimore’s haggard expression matched his message. The man looked older than his forty-two years. Caleb’s gut tightened.

“He meant he knows you won’t like it.” Westmont grinned at Denimore, and then turned to Caleb. “Nobody saw nothing. Nobody heard nothing. The interviews were a bust.”

Caleb rubbed his left temple, a vain attempt to slow the pounding that echoed his heartbeat. “Someone saw something. This murder did not happen in a vacuum. More than two thousand people attended the show.”

“True, but it happened in a packed theater with everybody focused on the kitty cats onstage. Who’s gonna watch the boxes?”

“And if anyone saw anything, they aren’t talking.” Denimore’s scowl deepened, which made his long face appear longer.

Caleb knew Westmont had a point. Most in the audience were honest bystanders who had seen nothing. As much as he hated it that was the reality. Caleb promised himself his first solo case would not become a cold file stuffed in some dank storage room. Each represented a family that waited endlessly for closure. Police might not have found the hit-and-run driver who killed his father, but he’d found a career. The same pain would not linger for this victim’s family.

“We know the basic information about her. Chase it down. Learn who she came to the theater with, and we’ll find a witness or her killer.” He hoped the trail led somewhere productive.

“And maybe the tooth fairy will put a dollar under my pillow tonight.”

“Come on, Denimore. You don’t want to lose more of your baby teeth. We’ll do this the old-fashioned way and wear out some shoe leather.” Westmont looked at Caleb and shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll chase down this lady at the station while we wait for forensics.”

As the three officers strode out the main doors of the theater, Denimore slowed his long stride at the sight of media vans collected along the edge of the parking lot. Grabbing Caleb by the collar, he hissed, “There’s your star witness.”

Caleb followed Denimore’s outstretched arm. Moonlight reflected off Dani’s blond hair as she leaned against a Jeep. She looked tired but gorgeous.

Westmont pointed him toward the cameras. “Ready to make a statement?”

With a tight shake of his head, Caleb scanned the assembled reporters, cameras and lights. He saw only piranhas who’d devour him alive. “Nobody tells you talking to the media is part of being an investigator.”

“That’s why you get paid the big bucks.”

Caleb grimaced. It was after ten-thirty, and he’d been up since 6:00 a.m. working another case. Fatigue washed over him. His mind slogged through quicksand as he considered what to say. He rolled his neck in an attempt to loosen the muscles and his growing headache. “Might as well get this over with.”

He stepped off the wide veranda and onto the stairs. The reporters shoved a forest of microphones in his face. Trapped, he planted his body.

“Tonight is too early in the investigation to comment. Expect a report on the status sometime tomorrow.” After a quick glance at his watch, he locked on Dani. “That’s all. Thank you.”

Westmont and Denimore stepped in front of him and pushed a path through the small crowd of cameras.

“Come on. Give us something we can use.” The assembled media’s audible groan followed him down the steps.

“You didn’t win any friends in the media with that long-winded speech.”

“That’s not my job, Denimore. All we know is a young woman named Renee Thomas was killed, probably strangled. We have to notify her relatives before we release details. See you back at the station.” Caleb got into his vehicle and sank into the seat. An edge of exhaustion crept over his body and into his mind.

Who was Renee Thomas? If he could answer that question, he’d be able to trace back to who killed her. He doubted she’d attended the theater alone, and Dani seemed to think she’d been waiting for her date. Figure out who’d accompanied Ms. Thomas and he’d have one suspect.

Dani stifled a yawn as she watched Logan pack the camera. The night had drained her more than the mini-marathon she’d completed a year earlier. She peeked in the window and noticed Aunt Jayne’s mouth open in sleep.

“Ready?” Logan’s voice penetrated her scattered thoughts.

“Yeah. Let’s get moving, so today can end. Since Andy wants a report for the morning show, I’ll head to the station after I get Aunt Jayne home.” She scanned the parking lot.

“Your aunt’s asleep. Let me give you a ride. Where are you parked?”

Dani rummaged through her handbag for the parking ticket and handed it to him.

“It’ll only take a minute to get there. Hop on in.”

She pulled herself into the Jeep and tossed her hair over her shoulder. Logan glanced at Tricia in the rearview mirror and smiled. Silence filled the van. Dani watched stores flash by until the parking garage came into view. “Thanks for the lift. Nice to see you again, Tricia.”

Logan slid the vehicle into park and waited while she climbed out.

“Be right back.” She looked around the outside of the garage for the stairwell on the first floor of the garage. Once she found the right floor, she couldn’t miss her bright red Mustang. Arrows pointed to a stairwell across the structure but no signs indicated an elevator. She groaned at the thought of the climb as her feet pinched in the too-tight shoes. Dani scrunched her nose against the odor of trash and too many unwashed bodies. One foot in front of the other, stair after stair. She stopped at the second floor to look for her car, the first words of her package playing in her mind. Tonight, a murder ruined intermission at the Lied Center for one patron. At this time, police have no suspects.

Reaching the third-floor stairwell, she walked through the door. Unbidden, her thoughts returned to the body in the box. Had the killer selected the victim at random? Could he have entered her own box and strangled her instead? Dani shuddered at the thought. Her breath came in gasps as she sucked in the stale air. The hair on the back of her neck prickled. She scanned the dim floor, looked over her shoulder for the gaze she felt. Nothing. She tried to laugh at her reaction but couldn’t find her voice.

“My imagination is running away with me.” Shadows shimmied across the empty garage’s floors and walls. She quickened her pace.

There. Dani flew to her car. She pulled open her purse. Dug for keys. She yanked them out. Punched the unlock button. She opened the door. Slid behind the wheel.

Inside the locked car, Dani leaned against the steering wheel and inhaled deeply. Closing her eyes, she put the key in the ignition and started the engine. She turned onto the second floor of the garage, and her headlights slid across a man standing by the stairwell door. Her heart skipped. She looked again. Was that the usher from the theater? Involuntarily she stepped on the brake. Watched him drop a cigarette on the pavement and then wipe a handkerchief across his forehead. Looking at her, he stepped on the butt and twisted it into the concrete. His gaze pierced her. Then he started toward her, hands fisted at his sides. She shook herself. Stepped on the gas. His face twisted into an angry scowl. He hit the hood of her car as she drove past.

The tires squealed as she raced around the corner and down the ramp. Why wait for her and then rush her car? Why hit it? Her mind raced to create an explanation.

She reached the exit kiosk and pulled behind Logan. Aunt Jayne eased into the passenger seat of the Mustang. Dani glanced in the rearview mirror but didn’t see the usher. Her heart rate calmed, and Dani headed toward Peaceful Estates. Nearly an hour later she pulled into the station parking lot.