Page 140 of In Cold Blood

“Did he say anything to you about the case?”

“A few things.”

Callie glanced off toward the Sheriff’s Office. Noah waited to see if she would tell him but it didn’t look like she was going tobe forthright, so he threw out the question Parish had suggested he ask. “What was the argument between you and Luke about?”

“So, Parish did tell you.”

“He said you were caught on surveillance outside here arguing the day he died.”

Callie shifted from one foot to the next. She rested one hand on her service weapon, the other she ran around the back of her neck. “I never gave him an answer. I was hoping I wouldn’t be asked.” She lifted back her head and looked up into the night sky before meeting his gaze. “I told you that your brother and I rode together. He took me under his wing. There was some flirting. Nothing serious and then my breakup with Brett happened. Luke was attentive. He listened. We had coffee. A few drinks.”

“Luke overstepped the line?” Noah asked.

“No. God no. Luke cared for his marriage with Kerri far more than Brett ever did for me. No, I was the one that overstepped after too much liquid courage. I wasn’t thinking right. I read the signals wrong. Anyway, after that, it wasn’t the same. It was uncomfortable. Awkward. He acted distant toward me. I mean, I get it. He didn’t want to put himself in that position again or give me the wrong idea. I notched it up to that and tried to get on with things and then…”

“What?” Noah asked.

Callie took a deep breath. “A bar code is placed on narcotics evidence and included in the written report showing who booked in drugs, and who accepted them as evidence. The drugs are then tracked via that code when they are moved. At times they are pulled out by a narcotics investigator, property custodian, or the crime lab, you know, to be used as evidence in a criminal trial, tested, or destroyed. Anyway, my sergeant pulled me aside on the day of the argument to ask why my name was listed for booking in narcotics that were now missing from the evidence room.” She paused. “I told her I never booked any in.When we reviewed the footage, Luke was seen checking in a bag. My name was what was inputted into the system. Sergeant Emerson said she would speak to Roberts. In the meantime, I was told to say nothing to Luke until they could decide what to do.”

“Had he ever used your name before?”

“Never. There’s no record. That was the puzzling part. Anyway, I caught up with him before his shift started that day and tore a strip off him. I thought he was being an asshole, trying to get me into trouble for coming on to him or something. I don’t know. I just know I never put my name down.”

“What did he say?”

“Initially he didn’t say anything. It was as if he didn’t know what I was talking about. He looked bewildered and then he got this expression on his face as if something clicked. He told me that he could explain but it would have to be later.”

“And that was it?”

She nodded. “That was the last time I saw him alive.”

39

The dream home on the north side of High Peaks Lake dominated the shore.

Unlike other lake properties that were weathered by age, this one couldn’t have been more than five years old. A lushly landscaped yard with a variety of flowers and trees in bloom surrounded it. It was like a Southern plantation-style home. The main house was a stately, two-story brick building with white columns and a wraparound porch. The roof had clay tiles. The front door was heavy mahogany, and there was an abundance of windows framed with white shutters. At night, with each of the rooms lit up, it reminded him of a dollhouse.

As Noah veered into the circular driveway with a large angel fountain, gravel crunched below his tires. He paused for a moment, contemplating what lay before him. “Come on, boy,” Noah said, climbing out with Axel in tow. He connected his leash and made his way to the door.

Inside, concerto music played ever so lightly.

A short knock and Sheriff Roberts opened the door. He was still in uniform, though his tie was gone and the top button on his white shirt was undone. He was holding a glass of scotch.

“Noah. What a pleasant surprise.”

He glanced down at Axel.

“Just wanted to say goodbye. I’ll be heading back home early in the morning.”

“Well, come. Come in. I was just having a drink, to take off the edge. Can I get you one?”

He stepped into the warm grand foyer with a sweeping staircase and a crystal chandelier that sparkled. It was as beautiful inside as it was on the outside. Rich hardwood floors polished to a shine, visually pleasing décor that had a feminine touch to it. Oil paintings lined the walls, along with a few photos of his family who had now grown up and moved on with their lives.

“I’m good. Thank you. Janice not home?”

“She’s working this evening. Overnight shift at the hospital.”

Noah surveyed the spacious living room with high ceilings. The furniture was antique and upholstered with rich fabrics. There was a formal dining room just off to his left that had a long oak table that could sit up to ten guests. “You’ve been together a long time.”