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“That brings us back to the same place. Someone ten years ago took Tiffany’s doll, maybe lost it, or maybe just took notice of the doll and copied it to leave it at Morgan’s memorial site. Why?”
The waitress saved her from coming up with an answer, placing their baskets of food on the table. “Anything else? Another round?”
Jessica glanced at her half-full glass and shook her head, and Finn asked for some vinegar.
The appearance of the food didn’t deter him, even as he shook his napkin into his lap and picked up a french fry. He waved it at her. “Why would someone be playing you like this? How would that person even know you’d be back here?”
“I don’t know. He could know my job, know I’d be on the scene for the evidence.”
“Or it could have nothing to do with you at all. I think I told you before, could be a sick joke, someone fascinated with your sister’s case. We both know there are people out there like that. True crime podcasts flourish, websites dig into cases new and cold. Lotta crime buffs out there. It’s not a stretch to imagine that several of these fans are sickos. They want to insert themselves into cases.” Finn sprinkled his fish and chips with the vinegar the waitress had left. “I’m sure it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that several women have proposed to Avery Plank.”
She picked up a piece of fish with her fingers and blew on it. “Don’t ruin my appetite.”
“I’m just sayin’.” He held out the bottle of vinegar to her, and she shook her head. “Any luck with the condolence card? I’m figuring you would’ve led with that if you had gotten lucky.”
“Exactly. Found some cards from the same company but not this particular one.”
“Did you check the university’s bookstore?”
“Good call.” She smothered her fries with ketchup, noting Finn’s horrified expression. “You know for sure the store carries cards? Do students even buy cards?”
“I know for sure you just made a mess out of your fries, but yeah. I’ve bought a few cards there myself. In fact, I’d hazard a guess that the majority of the students who left cards at Morgan’s memorial bought them at the student store.”
“I’ll check tomorrow.” Her phone buzzed in the side pocket of her purse, and she pulled it free, cupping it in her hand beneath the table. She squinted at the unknownnumber on her display and tapped it, leaving a smudge of ketchup on the screen.
Her pulse jumped as she read the message:If you wanna know what happened to ur sister meet me at morgans at 9 come alone.
She shoved the phone back in her purse and curled her fingers around the handle of her beer mug so tightly she felt as if she could snap it off.
“Everything okay?” Finn crunched into a piece of fish and raised his brows.
“That was my boss, Michael. He’s not very happy with me right now and wants my evidence report like yesterday.” She took a sip of beer to soothe her dry throat. “I’d started it before dinner. That’s why I hadn’t realized how fast the time had gone and that you were downstairs waiting for me. I hadn’t even taken a shower.”
She put down her beer and shoved a piece of fish in her mouth.Stop talking, Jessica.
“Oh, wow. Sorry. I didn’t realize you were so busy. You could’ve canceled.”
“Even overworked, overwhelmed CSIs need to eat.” She flashed him a fake smile as her brain tripped out. “But I should really get back. I’ll take the rest of my food with me. Do you mind?”
“Absolutely not. I’ll grab a couple of to-go boxes.”
As Finn left the patio, Jessica retrieved her phone and answered the unknown texter that she’d be there at nine. She knew he’d meant Morgan’s memorial site, and she had every intention of being there—alone.
Chapter Seven
Finn ducked behind a potted plant and peered at the patio between its leaves, watching Jessica dip her head as she texted on her phone. Unless her boss had just threatened to fire her, he didn’t believe her for one minute.
She’d actually gotten worse at lying over the years, or maybe he’d just gotten over being the besotted fool who believed everything she said. He pivoted and made a beeline toward the bar. Correction. He was still besotted but no longer a fool.
He asked for a couple of containers and a plastic bag, and catching the waitress as she ordered some drinks at the bar, he requested the check.
He took care of the bill and returned to the patio, handing a container to Jessica. “You wanna add more ketchup to those fries before boxing them up?”
“No.” She didn’t even crack a smile, but he noticed she’d finished off her beer. For courage?
He’d eaten more than she had and elected to leave his food on his plate. “At least I can give you a ride back to the hotel.”
“That was my fault for being late. The walk wasn’t bad, though.” She slid her to-go box in the plastic bag and grabbed her purse. “Ready.”