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“He fought back.”

“Looks that way. From the mess in the store, I’d say a struggle erupted, and possibly, because Lew did fight back, they shot him.”

“Jesus! You figure it was some kids looting the place?”

“Didn’t say that.”

“Okay. So if we’re talking grown men, and there was more than one, don’t tell me they couldn’t have just controlled him without resorting to a bullet in the chest.”

Ana’s face dipped sideways in agreement. Finally, she added, “So, I was the first on the scene after Maria. The man took a beating and was already down when they shot him.”

“How can you know that?”

“I’m guessing because there were no blood spills anywhere else.”

“So you’re saying they didn’t have to shoot because he could have already been unconscious.”

“Don’t know. Maybe he saw their faces? Or knew their identities, and they didn’t want to leave him alive? Can’t be certain. But he did struggle and knowing Lew, he probably got in a hit or two. So maybe we watch out for anyone who looks like they’ve recently been in a fight. The sheriff intended to go door to door this morning, and I’ll go over the reports he’s already gathered before we get together. We’ll know more later.”

Before Nash could offer to help, their hamburgers and fries arrived, putting paid to anymore conversation. By the time, they’d finished eating what they wanted, Ana pulled a twenty from her pocket and stood to leave.

“Hey. I asked you to have lunch. It’s my treat.” When he saw her hesitate, he added, “You pay next time.”

“Sneaky way of getting me to eat with you again.”

“Did it work?”

“Nope. See ya.” She left her money and headed for the door.

Nash quickly added another twenty under his plate and followed her outside. When she stopped dead, he almost tripped over her. Her following protest made him grin.

“Christ you’re a nuisance, aren’t you? Do you ever take no for an answer without an argument?”

“Funny thing… you’re the only woman who’s ever argued.” Shocked silence followed, and he saw the look of disbelief on her face. “Okay, that came out wrong. I meant that I’m a nice guy and ladies appreciate my sincerity. Hmm… except for you.”

“Well, get used to it Bub.” She pushed her way past him to grab the doorhandle of her vehicle.

***

Once safely behind the wheel, she started the car, and driving away, she checked the side mirror to see him waving as if he knew she’d look. Remembering their previous meeting, it made a smile break out without any permission from her brain whatsoever.

Speeding up, she decided that Nash Ralph reminded her of an overgrown kid looking for a ‘good boy’ followed by a pat on the head. Kind of like the family dog they used to have before she died of old age.

Hours later, after another hospital visit where she purposely kept a distance between her and Nash, she’d gone over Dave’s transcripts, and nothing stood out. The evidence had been recorded perfectly… what there was of it. They had so little to go on.

Leaning on the back of one of the office chairs in the jail, scanning the crime scene photos on the white board, Ana wiped a spot of unnoticed blood from the crime scene off her jeans and pushed up the long sleeves of her black shirt. They’d beendiscussing the evidence they’d gathered so far, or the lack of it actually.

Just as Nash arrived, Mrs. Perkins – her face white and her middle-aged chubbiness encircled by her thick arms wrapped tightly around her stomach – stepped out from the inner office. In a wobbly voice filled with outrage, and in the tone of a person who’s hard of hearing, she shouted, “Hey boss, you need to take this call.”

Seconds after he had the receiver near his ear, his shaking hand pushed the speaker button. “Pat, repeat what you just told me.”

The distressed sound of a man in shock appeared thready and filled with horrible news. “There’s been another shooting. This time two victims. One male, one female.”

Dave and Ana looked at each other, words unnecessary. It was Nash who spoke what they’d been thinking. “The hits just keep coming, don’t they? I do believe there’s a serial killer loose in the area.”

Chapter Fourteen

Once they arrived at the scene, Dave took a few seconds to back up the lookie-loos before they approached Pat. “What’s the scoop?”