Page 37 of Three Girls Gone

After a drawn-out silence, CSI Stuart continued. “The lock on the gate blocking the yard wasn’t broken, but the trellis in the back appears to have been climbed. It leads right to the girl’s window,” she added.

“How does itappearto have been?—”

Stuart cut her off. “There are a few broken pieces of lattice and vertical white scuff marks, which might be rubber from the soles of a running shoe. A swab was taken of one to test its composition. The windowsill was also examined on the outside.If the intruder took this route, they would have gripped there to hoist themselves up. But nothing turned up.”

“But the rubber is proof the room was accessed through the window.”

“Not what I said.”

This woman’s attitude was pissing her off. “What other reason would there be for its existence? And the intruder could have used gloves.”

“It’s possible, sure, but the window doesn’t appear to have been tampered with. No scrape marks.”

Amanda took a deep breath. “Do you believe there was a break-in or not?”

“Inconclusive.”

“Except for the broken lattice and rubber marks.”

“Which is more speculative.”

Amanda wasn’t sure how this woman got in this line of work if she didn’t employ some logic to make deductions. “I assume you’ll confirm if that mark was made by a shoe.”

“That’s the plan, but I’ll need to run it past my supervisor. Lab tests take a lot of time and money, Detective. Though I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that.”

Amanda bit her bottom lip to avoid lashing out at this impossible woman.Where are CSIs Blair and Donnelly when I need them?

“I will be running a swab taken from the handle on the girl’s closet door. Also from the tote where the slippers were kept. We know those areas were compromised. I’m just not confident if it will lead us to the perpetrator. The DNA may belong to the family.”

“We need to explore it, regardless.”

“Yes, which is why I just said I’m going to run those tests.”

Amanda tightened her grip on her phone. She wasn’t often triggered to entertain violence, but this CSI was bringing it outin her. “You mentioned swabs and DNA. Did you test for fingerprints?”

“Absolutely not. The chances of pulling a useful print from a cylindrical handle are near zilch.”

“What about the tote, a flat surface?”

“Not sure if you remember, but that tote is weaved with strands of fabric. There’s a much better probability of touch DNA being more useful than trying to lift prints. I’m very selective about what I gather and what I test.”

That’s why it takes all day!“And did you confirm if the brand of the tutu in Hailey’s closet was a match for what she was staged in?”

“I will let you know.”

“If you tell me what she has in her closet, I can ask.” Amanda would have juggled this task earlier if she knew it was going to end up landing on her shoulders.

“I don’t have that information at present.”

Amanda counted to five in her head. “Please, let me know once the results are in.”

“Will do. Next time, please wait for me to call you.” With that, the CSI hung up.

Amanda lowered her phone.

“Shit, you look like you’re going to explode.” Trent scanned her face. “What was all that?”

“Let’s sum it up to say I never want to talk with CSI Stuart again. Not when she rides a broom to work.” She’d forgive herself this one slip.