Page 25 of Our Daughter's Bones

“The family’s spokesperson has requested that the family be left alone at this time of grieving as they come to terms with the untimely death of Erica. Detective Nick Blackwood of the Lakemore PD had this to say…”

The scene shifted again. The logo of Lakemore PD was displayed on a podium. The room buzzed with cameras clicking and people whispering. Nick walked on stage, dressed in a black suit. Mackenzie noticed his hair was gelled and combed. He had made an effort for the briefing, but he also looked fresh. Perhaps because he had some answers.

He read out from a file: “Thank you all for coming. We regret to inform you that yesterday evening, September thirteenth, we discovered the remains of Erica Perez, who had been missing since September eleventh last year. Since this is an ongoing murder investigation, we cannot divulge many details. What we can share is that Erica’s time of death has been narrowed to the months between September and November last year. We have strong reason to believe that Erica was killed very soon after she was taken. Lakemore PD offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to the friends and family of Erica. If anyone has any information on the case, we urge you to call the hotline we have set up. We are going to do everything we can to make sure Erica gets justice. We won’t be taking any questions today. Thank you.”

He hurried off the stage and ignored the questions the journalists inevitably shouted at him regardless. In the background, the anchor’s voice echoed. “It is truly heartbreaking that Erica’s story has come to such a sad end. We wish Lakemore PD the best in hunting down the killer and ensuring that justice is done.”

Troy turned off the television. “No wonder Peck was being a douche today.”

“Perez called him and shouted at him,” Sully revealed. “He’s livid. Blaming the entire thing on us.”

Mackenzie smoothed the wrinkles on her sleeves. “Perez is paying for more airtime on television—asking for information. They didn’t even mention Abby.”

“Come on, Mack. His daughter was murdered,” Sully said.

“And her best friend is missing. There’s a chance that she is alive and might be killed soon if we don’t find her. I hate to say this, but abduction is more time-sensitive than homicide.”

They all fell quiet. The air became brittle enough to snap. Mackenzie counted to ten in her head. “Jenna, did you get the CCTV footage from the bank and the gas station?”

“Yes,” Jenna almost choked on her gum. “We only have the video from the bank. I checked for the entire week. Every day you can see Abby walk past it on her way back from school, but the day she disappeared, she wasn’t there.”

“Which suggests either she took another route or something happened to her before she got to the bank,” Mackenzie said. “Did you check carefully?”

“Yes. Twice. I can send you the video so that you can look at it yourself.”

“I would like that. Thank you.” She turned around and walked to her desk.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Jenna roll her eyes and scoff. She knew it was at her expense. She knew she was “overkill” in Jenna’s opinion. But she reminded herself that Abby was the priority. Still, vanity forced her to spin around.

“Why don’t you have the footage from the gas station?”

“They erase their previous recordings every Wednesday morning. We just missed it.”

“Did you ask if they keep backup? Because a lot of businesses do.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that.” She looked flustered.

“It’s alright. That’s why you have us to help you. Please see to it immediately.” Mackenzie smiled sweetly and tilted her neck.

Jenna nodded curtly and left the office. Troy had a grin on his face.

“Shut up, Troy. I have a lot to deal with.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy. Everyone knows Jenna has an attitude problem.” He shrugged.

“Maybe next time you can be the one to set her straight.”

“Hell, no. I have an image to maintain.”

Sully emerged from his office, wearing his coat. “Boys and girl, we’re running late. Everyone out now! Do not anger my wife. I’m the one she goes home with, and I’m your boss. You anger my wife, you anger your boss.”

Mackenzie watched with furrowed brows as everyone started packing their bags. “Did I miss something?”

“Come on, Mack. You said two weeks ago that you would come!” Sully fanned his hands out. “I’m not listening to any excuse.”

“I have a lot of work to do,” she argued.

“It’s eight in the evening.”