Page 40 of Vanish From Sight (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #2)
Noah walked backward, looking at the house and making his way over to the tree line.
“You said the main garage door was locked but the one inside the house that leads into the garage was open or at least unlocked. Perhaps that’s why Nicholas was out of his car.
When he realized the engine wouldn’t shut off, he got out to go into the house.
He couldn’t get into the house because a chair was jammed up behind the door and the garage was locked.
Trapping him inside. All to make it look like a suicide.
Now, you all arrive, spook whoever did this, and they pull the chair away but don’t have time to put it back the way they found it.
They exit through the rear and over to the tree line without being seen by those around the front,” he said, pointing to the length of the house and how it could block anyone in the driveway or at the front door from seeing someone making a break for the trees.
“So, someone was already in the house and planted the evidence?” Callie asked.
McKenzie groaned. “Please. Would you listen to yourselves? This is our man. If he wakes up, I’m sure he’ll give some sob story and if he doesn’t, we have enough evidence to bury his ass.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Noah said. “But think about it. He’s smart enough to work for a bank, organized enough to steal an SUV, clever enough to kill two people without anyone seeing him, but sloppy enough to keep the evidence that could send him away? C’mon!”
“It’s not the dumbest thing I’ve seen a suspect do,” McKenzie said, shrugging. “Besides, maybe he knew we were closing in on him and he opted to take the easy way out. It was only a matter of time before we would have figured it out.”
“Well, that’s the problem, McKenzie. Time. He had plenty of time to dispose of those items. Leaving them out in the open. No. I don’t buy it.”
“Like I said. Maybe he didn’t expect to be caught because he planned on killing himself.
You and I have both have had those calls where someone kills a person, calls 911, sits their ass down and waits for the boys in blue to show up and arrest them, or they take a gun and blow their brains out.
It’s called losing your mind, Noah, and I’m losing mine right now entertaining any other theory besides the one that is blatantly obvious. ”
“It’s too obvious. Like someone wanted these items to be found. It’s too clean. Besides, I did a preliminary sweep of the home back when we interviewed him. I never saw any gun in a closet.”
“Then he had it stashed elsewhere with the intention of using it later. Maybe it was in his car. Maybe it wasn’t even in the house. What matters is it’s in there now. We’ll soon find out if it was involved in Katherine’s murder.”
“Yeah, and while you’re at it, maybe you can magically come up with a home pregnancy test and a video of them arguing about it.”
McKenzie laughed and shook his head. “Sutherland, you talk about ego but maybe it’s yours that is clouding your judgment. You’re just pissed because I don’t just have our man, I have the whole kit and kaboodle.”
“What does that even mean?” Callie said. “Kaboodle?”
McKenzie groaned.
Noah continued, “If you do. Good. There is nothing more I want than to see whoever did this go away but that doesn’t answer Lena’s death. ”
“Maybe it’s not related. Or if it is, she got too close. From what I hear, she did have a way of sticking her nose into things.”
Noah jabbed a finger at him. “Watch your mouth.”
“I will when you show me some damn respect. I’ve been at this longer than you!”
The two of them closed in on each other but Callie was quick to get between. “All right, fellas, all right, let’s just let this play out. At least we’ll get some answers.”
“Yeah, even if they are wrong,” Noah said, walking away.
Callie muttered something to McKenzie before hustling to catch up with him. “Hey hold up. Where are you going?”
“To see Charlie Delaney.”
“You still think it’s worth it now?”
“Yeah. I do. If not for this investigation, for the one that should have happened a year ago,” he said, skirting around the house back to his vehicle. His mind was preoccupied by what he’d seen, his conversation with Isabella, and Lena when the phone rang.
It was Gretchen.
He had a mind to not answer but he knew she wouldn’t have called him if it wasn’t important.
He tapped accept as he elbowed his way through the crowd like a fish going upstream.
Reporters peppered him with questions. It was a chaotic scene, a whirlwind of activity and noise. “Gretchen. Can I call you back?’
She muttered something but he couldn’t hear it.
Noah turned, losing his cool, and told the media to back off before he got into the Bronco and slammed the door shut, sealing out the ruckus.
“Sorry. What were you saying?”
“It’s Ethan. Noah. You need to come by.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s safe. Mia too but he needs his father, not some old lady. ”
He clenched his eyes shut. “I’m right in the middle of...”
“Listen to me, boy. I will always go to bat for you. You’re my blood and I’m not one for telling you what to do but this is one time you need to listen or you will lose your kids.” He glanced out at the crowd, his mind churning over before he answered to say he would be there in ten minutes.