Page 72 of Deathtoll

“My dad is at work. My mom went over to the store. I’m not supposed to open the door to anyone.”

Murph tucked his gun away. So did Bing.

“Are you home alone?” the captain asked.

“I’m with my sister, but I’m in charge ‘cause I’m bigger.”

“How old are you?”

“Six and a half.”

“All right, buddy. You did a good job here not letting any strangers in.”

They backed away, then stopped at the top of the steps.

“Asael could be in there with Emma,” the captain said, “holding the family hostage, but I doubt it. Kid didn’t sound scared.”

Murph agreed. “Would have been too easy.”

“Instinct is often right. This was your first thought.” Bing started down the stairs. “Worth checking out.”

Murph hesitated at the top. “Not going in?”

“We will, but I’m not kicking the door down with a kid in there. We’ll wait for the mother.”

Definitely the right thing to do. Although, Murph was willing to kick in every door in the universe for Kate’s sister.

“I talked to Betty Gardner’s possible heir, by the way,” Bing told him. “He was at work the morning Betty died. Has about fifty witnesses. Whether he gets the house in the lawsuit or not, he had nothing to do with Betty’s death.”

“Asael?”

”Don’t see why. Unless it’s just to rattle Kate.”

“How about Tony Mauro?”

“Again, for what reason? He’s awake and alert, but can’t remember being hit. Couldn’t give me a description of the driver when I went in to check on him. They’re keeping him for the rest of the week.”

As Murph stepped outside after Bing, for a second he thought Emma was found. Gabi was holding back a frazzled young woman, Emma’s age, with similar long black hair, same build. Hope about lifted Murph out of his boots for that one second before it dropped him hard.

“I have to get back to my kids,” the woman who wasn’t Emma insisted, gallon of milk in one hand, a jar of peanut butter in the other. Anxiety drew her every feature tight. “Did anything happen? Did something happen to my kids? Oh God.” She burst out in tears without waiting for the answer.

“Kids are fine,” Bing told her. “I’d like to go back up with you and check out your apartment, with your permission.”

“Why?”

“We’re looking for someone who knew a guy who used to live there.”

“We’ve been living here for a year. I don’t know who lived here before us.”

The captain nodded. “I need to make sure my guy isn’t in there, that’s all. We have reason to believe he might be back in town. Want to make sure he didn’t pop by for a visit. You think you can give me a minute to walk through?”

“I only ran out for milk. Just over to the gas station across the road. Five minutes.”

“You’re not in trouble, ma’am. I’m asking you a favor here. I’d appreciate the help.”

“Okay.” She drew a shuddering breath. “I can go in?”

When Bing nodded and Gabi stepped out of her way, the woman took off running.