Page 98 of Pretty Broken Dolls

Daniel Harper thought for a moment. “No, I can’t think of anything. That’s what makes this so incredibly heartbreaking.”

“Mr. Harper, here’s my card.” She handed him a business card. “If you think of anything—

anything at all that might help us—please call me.”

He took the card and put it in his top pocket. “Of course.” He stood up.

Daniel Harper? D.H.

“Oh, just a couple more things. Could I see your hands, please?” He held them out before him, mystified. There was no injury to be seen. “Thank you. And did you ever send Darla emails?”

“Sure.”

“Did you ever sign them ‘DH’?”

He thought about the question and shrugged. “I don’t think so. Sometimes if I sent her a quick message, I might just sign it‘D’. I don’t remember.”

“Okay. Thank you, Mr. Harper. We appreciate your time.”

He rose and then quickly left the office.

McGaven looked at her.

“I just had to ask.”

“You think he’s the one who sent that email?”

“No. But we have to run down all the leads.”

“I’ll run background of the employees to see if anything pops up.”

“But, Gav, it is a coincidence. Someone who was close to Darla but wanted to be more just good friends, whose initials just happen to match up to our emailer?”

“I see your point.”

You know what you did. You can’t take it back. The finale is coming.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Thursday 1635 hours

After interviewing Mrs. Winchell and Daniel Harper, Katie felt there was more beyond their answers to her initial questions; she felt they were telling the truth, but not offering up any other information.

She added to the board the new persons of interest and case characteristics for Darla Winchell:

DH left threatening emails/harassment. Was she hiding it? Is DH Daniel Harper?

Daniel Harper—boyfriend to friend. He wanted more.

*Spent 2 years in army as military K9 handler.

“I keep coming back to the military K9 aspect,” she said. “How could we not? I’ll call Sergeant Serrano about the list of names and ask him about Darla Winchell as well.”

McGaven turned and said, “Well, I have good news.”

“Oh great.”

“I have two lists from the fairgrounds,” he said and fished out the papers from the printer.