Page 78 of The Fragile Ones

“Well, we’re all entitled to our opinions,” she said. “So how’s your scouting going?” She decided to change the tone.

“Fair.”

“Any other areas you have questions about in Sequoia County?”

“Let’s see,” he said, and she could hear paper rustling in the background. “We’re checking out Pine Valley, Cedar Run, and Rock Creek next week.”

“I’m sorry, did you say Rock Creek?”

“Yeah, Butch said that there is supposed to be a haunted cemetery and one of the oldest buildings in the entire county there, that’s worth checking out.”

“Sounds great,” she said. “Good luck. Let me know if you need any questions answered about those areas.”

“Will do,” he said and the connection went dead.

Chapter Thirty

Monday 0730 hours

Katie stared at the large computer screen as the software compared the bullet that killed Robin Mayfield and the gun left at the scene side by side. The unique striations, or scratches, left behind on the bullet were similar, not 100 percent, to the rifling inside the barrel of the gun.

“It looks like a match,” she said.

John turned to her. “Now remember, it’s never perfect. I would say, in my opinion and in court, that they are a match by eighty-five percent.”

“Eighty-five percent? More like ninety-five.”

“That’s your opinion,” he said and smiled.

Katie remained solemn.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s all very well that we have the bullet and the gun that killed Robin Mayfield, and only Darren Rodriguez’s fingerprints on it, but he killed himself in our parking lot.”

“That would be case closed?”

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“I see.”

“Was there anything in Robin’s system?”

“All the toxicology reports came back negative,” he said.

“Her clothes were so neat, positioned perfectly like dressing a mannequin,” she said, more to herself. “Who would do that after they killed someone?”

“Family member, close friend, boyfriend.”

“You’re right, but…”

“You brought to my attention the writing on the photos and the writing in the note,” he said. Moving the computer mouse, he pulled up more images. “You’re correct. These were not written by the same hand.” He looked at Katie’s reaction. “I could consult a handwriting expert.”

“No, that’s only necessary if and when we go to court.”

“Oh,” he said. “Officer Davenport is going to be just fine, by the way. He’s recovering at home. Thought you’d like to know that.”

“That’s great news, thank you.”