Page 92 of What She Saw

“When did you two break up?”

“January.”

“Can I ask why?”

“I don’t see why it matters. She wants to go to college. I want to stay local and keep doing what I love to do.”

“You like the security work?”

“It’s temporary. I want to get into the police academy.”

“Have you applied?”

“Once last year. Blew the shooting exam. But I’ve been practicing.”

“Keep at it. The admissions offices always like the guys who are hard workers.”

“Well, I do work hard.” He leaned forward as if they were sharing confidential information. “Mind if I ask why you’re looking for Debra? I mean, she’s over eighteen and is independent.”

“Marsha says she missed work and school.”

“She’s done that before. I mean, Debra is steady about ninety-five percent of the time. But she gets revved up every so often.”

“You think she got a wild hair?”

“She’s been working so hard. She didn’t get into her first choice of college and had to accept her second choice. She was disappointed. I told her I was proud of her, but she was bummed about it.”

“When did you have this conversation?”

“On the way to the festival. It was nice catching up with her. We’ll always be friends.”

“You’re not worried about her?”

“No.” He angled his head as if sharing a secret. “I mean, if she doesn’t show up in a day or two, then I would worry.”

“Her boss said she hasn’t missed work before.”

“Like I said, her not getting into her first-choice college hit her hard. We used to blow off steam together. I know her. She’s with a guy. And once she gets disappointment out of her system, she’ll be back.”

Taggart never liked it when a witness had all the answers. Most were unsure or had doubts. Not Kevin. He was so sure about a girl he’d not dated in four months. A girl who’d broken up with him. A girl who’d met up with an intoxicated classmate.

“Do you know Patty?”

“From the diner? Sure.”

He kept his tone light and his stance nonconfrontational. Just two LEOs shooting the shit. “Is she friends with Debra?”

“They live almost next door to each other. I don’t know Patty that well, but Debra likes everyone.”

“Okay. Thanks, Kevin. Mind if I call you if I have more questions?”

“Yeah. Call me. I’m here to help.”

Taggart extended his hand. “Thanks. Nice to have you on my side.”

Taggart pulled up in front of Bailey’s house. She’d been one of the first people detained, and then she’d vanished from the first aid trailer. He’d hoped her case was a one-off, but she’d been the harbinger of the night to come.

He parked in front of the simple white house with a neat front lawn. Her father was the mayor and the primary engine behind the festival. It made sense the girl wouldn’t want her father knowing she’d been detained by the police.