Page 18

Christi pulled up the image of the vehicle parked alongside the road from the previous night and placed it next to the one taken only hours earlier. “You’re right. It appears to be the same vehicle.”

Liz studied the four-door sedan with tinted windows. “I’m almost certain the vehicle has a Michigan license plate, but again, we’re not able to read the numbers.”

“You know what? I’ve seen this car driving up and down the road the past few days.” Christi clicked through several days’ worth of recordings and, sure enough, the same vehicle with tinted windows kept appearing. “We don’t get a ton of traffic on this road, just locals, farmers and such. That’s a pretty fancy vehicle to be driving up and down a bumpy dirt road. ”

Christi replayed the video and Liz watched as the person exited the vehicle and disappeared into the dark night. They returned, moving at a quick pace. They sat inside with the engine running for several long seconds before driving off.

“Did you catch that?” Gloria asked.

“Catch what?”

“It looks like they threw something out the window before they left.”

Christi slid the bar back to the precise spot where the person exited the car. Several long moments ticked by before they returned.

“Right there,” Gloria said.

Christi hit the SLO-MO button. The driver climbed inside. The vehicle’s taillights lit. Seconds later, they tossed something out the window as they drove off.

“We need to figure out what it was,” Gloria said .

Christi struggled to her feet. “I’ll show you where the camera is. You can check the angle and go from there.”

It was a slow trek to the front porch and the camera which was pointed at her driveway, giving an unobstructed view of the barn. It also offered a bird’s-eye view of the road and Floyd and Liz’s property.

Liz wasn’t able to see Echo’s mobile home. The wooded area lining the road served as a buffer, giving her privacy. It also gave anyone who wanted to sneak up on her ample opportunity to access the property via the woods. “Let’s go check it out.”

“This is exciting.” Christi hobbled to the edge of the porch. “I would love to tag along and try to help, but I don’t want to slow you down.”

“You wouldn’t be slowing us down,” Liz said. “Although I can’t guarantee the terrain is conducive to crutches. ”

The trio crossed the road. They conducted a thorough sweep of the area, starting near the corner of the driveway and working their way beyond the point where the vehicle had been parked. Unfortunately, a thick layer of leaves and debris made it impossible to find anything.

“We’re never going to find anything in here.” Liz kicked at a pile of dead leaves with the tip of her shoe. “This is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“It’s time to call in the professional who has the tools we need,” Gloria joked.

“Professional?”

“Ruth has a modified metal detector. Whatever they tossed out caught the light, which means there’s a chance it’s metal and she might be able to find it.” Gloria dialed her friend’s number. “I know you just left, but we might need some help. I’m here with Liz and her neighbor, and am putting you on speaker. ”

“Brian already got an answer on the DNA sample,” were the first words out of Ruth’s mouth.

Christi sucked in a breath. “DNA sample?”

“No. Christi’s camera caught someone parked on the road adjacent to Echo’s place last night, backing up her claim someone tried breaking in. It was a four-door sedan. Before they left, they tossed something out the driver’s side window.”

Gloria picked up. “We searched the area and couldn’t find anything.”

“So you were wondering if I had time to bring my metal detector over and help with the search,” Ruth said.

“It would be nice, but I hate to keep bothering you,” Liz said.

“You’re not bothering me. I dig this stuff. Are you ready for me now?”

“We’re here,” Gloria said .

“I’m on my way.” A giddy Ruth promised they wouldn’t have to wait for very long.

Christi winced as she shifted her weight.

“We need to get you off your feet.” Liz ran back to the house, grabbed a folding chair and placed it at the end of the driveway.

“Thanks.” Christi settled in, a pained expression on her face. “I did a number on my ankle. What was Ruth saying about DNA results?”

“It’s nothing.” Liz waved dismissively.

“My doctor wanted me to do one of those DNA tests, to see if I had any genetic disorders. I’m kind of on the fence about it.” Christi went into a long spiel about the pros and cons of DNA testing and, much to Liz’s relief, forgot all about her question.

Ruth arrived and parked the spymobile near the end of the driveway. She circled around to the side door and grabbed her metal detector before joining them. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were waiting for me. ”

Christi grabbed her crutches and struggled to her feet. “Ruth Carpenter. I’m sure you don’t remember me. I used to stop by the post office to mail products from my home business when you still worked there.”

“You’re the bird feeder lady.”

“I am. Business has been a little slow lately. Orders for my custom bird feeders will pick up again when we get into the colder weather and people start thinking about feeding their feathered friends.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing what you have,” Liz said. “I could use a bird feeder out back.”

“I’ll show you my current inventory later.” Christi pointed to Ruth’s metal detector. “Your friends have been bragging about how you’re a super sleuth and telling me about all the surveillance equipment you have in your home.”

“And in the spymobile.” Ruth patted the side of her van .

“Spymobile?” Christi echoed.

“That’s what we nicknamed my van. It’s tricked out with surveillance equipment.”

“State-of-the-art equipment,” Gloria added. “Not to mention it’s bulletproof.”

“Bulletproof?”

“With D65,” Ruth proudly boasted. “We’ve only had to put it to the test once or twice.”

“Like the time that guy shot at us in Nantucket,” Gloria said.

Christi’s jaw dropped. “Someone shot at you?”

“Lucy. A killer shot at Lucy.”

“That…that sounds exciting.”

“Not to mention a little dangerous, but that’s never stopped the Garden Girls from investigating.”

“Do you mind showing me around your van?”

“Not at all.” Ruth handed the metal detector and headphones to Gloria. “I’m thinking about upgrading my antenna. The one that’s on here got caught on a tree branch. It’s bent and I’ve been getting a lot of white noise.”

“Antennas are tricky.” Christi hobbled after Ruth. She hovered near the sliding door, watching while she showed off her equipment.

Liz pulled Gloria aside. “I think Ruth has met her match.”

“Like two peas in a pod,” Gloria chuckled. “They cut those two from the same mold.”

Ruth finished showing Christi the inside and then they circled the van with their friend pointing out the various exterior features.

“How much did all of this cost, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I think I’m up to about seventy-five grand, including the cost of the spymobile. ”

“It’s an investment in security,” Christi said. “Thank you for showing me. You have an impressive setup.”

“You’re welcome.” Ruth reached for the metal detector and Christi eyed it with interest.

“Have you also upgraded your metal detector?”

“I’ve done some minor adjustments. I tweaked the sensitivity setting and started using headphones. My hearing isn’t what it used to be.”

Gloria rubbed her hands together. “Let’s put it to use. According to Christi’s surveillance video, the sedan parked right about there.”

Ruth shifted her gaze to the end of the road. “It’s pretty isolated out here. It would be easy to sneak around after dark without being noticed.”

“Which is the reason we installed cameras. Darren, my husband, travels for business. Before Floyd and Liz moved in, there was no one around.” Christi returned to the folding chair while Liz, Gloria and Ruth began making their way through the thick brush.

“It’s going to be tricky finding anything,” Ruth warned. “This is some thick brush and we have no idea what we’re looking for.”

The trio moved at a slow pace, scouring the area. They reached the end of the tree line and then turned back around for another sweep.

“I’m not getting a single hit,” Ruth said. “Are you sure this is the spot?”

“Positive.” Liz studied Christi’s house. “For all we know, it could’ve been a piece of paper that blew away.”

A plume of dust near the end of the road grew thicker. A car crested the hill. It was the Montbay County Sheriff’s patrol car. As it drew closer, Liz could see the sheriff behind the wheel. He pulled off to the side, exited the vehicle, and opened the rear door.

A pale Echo emerged .

She caught Liz’s eye as they made their way over.

“Ms. Quigley has cooperated. Our investigation will continue into Mr. Grotto’s death. I’ve advised her to remain in the area in case we need to chat again.” Nelson pointed at the metal detector. “I almost hate to ask, but what are you up to?”

“Someone tried breaking into Echo’s place last night,” Liz said. “Our neighbor’s camera picked up a vehicle in the vicinity. They tossed something out the window and we’re trying to find it.”

“Echo mentioned the attempted break-in. Do you mind showing the recordings to me?”

“Not at all.” Christi slid out of the chair and escorted the sheriff to her property.

Liz waited until they were out of earshot. “How did it go?”

“They think I killed Grotto because someone saw a person who looked like me in the vicinity of the boat ramp around the time of his attack.” Echo rubbed her forehead. “It’s only a matter of time before they try to pin this on me.”

“Not yet,” Gloria said. “Someone who drives a dark sedan with Michigan plates was trying to get to you.”

“We found your insurance plan and turned it over to Brian Sellers, a former circuit court judge. He’s having the DNA tested,” Liz said. “If they can tie it back to Appolina, there’s a good chance they’ll reopen the case involving the investigator’s death.”

“If they believe me,” Echo said in a small voice. “It’s my word against a powerful state senator. Who do you think they’re going to believe?”

“Evidence is evidence. I’m guessing it would be inadmissible, but it could get the ball rolling again,” Gloria said. “Although I’m not sure how the officials will react when they find out you’ve been hanging onto it.”

“Because no one believed me,” Echo insisted. “Not my boss, no one. ”

The sheriff and Christi returned a short time later. “Mrs. Kravitz has forwarded a copy of the recording to me. I’ll have our forensics team try to enhance it and get a plate number.”

“I have some experience in enhancements,” Echo said. “They can be tricky.”

“There’s a fifty-fifty chance. They might not be able to get the entire plate number, but maybe enough to point us in the right direction.” Nelson nodded toward the woods. “While I’m here, I would like to check out the damaged door.”

Echo led the sheriff away, up the hill and out of sight.

“The poor woman,” Christi tsk-tsked. “It’s a good thing whoever it was got scared off. Imagine what might have happened.”

“We need to figure out who it was. The sooner, the better.”

Sheriff Nelson and Echo returned. “I told Echo I’ll file a report on the attempted break-in. If it’s related to Mick Grotto’s death, we need to get to the bottom of it.”

Nelson returned to his patrol vehicle. He sat inside for several long moments with the engine running before doing a U-turn and driving off.

“Well?” Ruth waved the detector in the air after he was gone. “We’re waiting for Brian to get back with us, for the sheriff to see if he can get a hit on the license plate. It looks like we’re at a standstill until we have more information.”

While Ruth talked, Christi used the tip of her crutch and began swiping at the brush. Back and forth. Back and forth. She abruptly stopped. “Hey! I think I found something!”