The Killing Moon by Dan Padavona

Author:Dan Padavona [Padavona, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

October 31st

2:15 p.m.

Chelsey stood at the bedroom window inside the farmhouse and peered down at the empty landscape. Behind her, LeVar rummaged through the closet, searching for anything they’d missed. Now that they’d cleared the house after searching the basement, attic, and every nook and cranny in between, she could breathe again. The long driveway and the open expanse of meadow made it impossible for Benson to sneak up on the house without her noticing. But she couldn’t quiet her nerves. Though Chelsey and LeVar were safe for now, Raven wasn’t.

Chelsey checked her messages and realized it had been a long time since she’d heard from LeVar’s sister. Last she knew, Raven had joined Deputy Aguilar in Kane Grove after they spotted someone who matched Benson’s description fleeing from the gymnasium.

“Why don’t you call Thomas again?”

Chelsey jumped at LeVar’s voice. She hadn’t heard him approach. The teenager could move quietly when he wanted—an excellent skill to have, if he planned to go into law enforcement or remain a private investigator. When Chelsey last tried the sheriff’s phone, she’d dropped into his voice-mail. She dialed again. Thomas answered this time.

“Big news. Mark Benson slept at the farmhouse,” she said, pacing in front of the window.

“Are you sure?”

“LeVar and I found muddy shoe prints trailing through the kitchen and up the staircase. There’s a blanket and pillow stuffed inside the closet with a padded carpet strip on the floor. As far as I can tell, Benson curled up inside the closet and slept with the door closed, in case you stormed the farmhouse.”

“Not that we wouldn’t check the closets.”

“He isn’t the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. I also noticed a gray hair on the pillow.”

“Nice work. Don’t touch anything.”

“LeVar and I gloved up.”

“Lambert started his shift at noon. I’ll call him and have him drop by with an evidence kit.” Thomas hesitated. “Just wondering, Chelsey. How did you get past a locked door?”

“If I told you the wind blew it open, would you believe me?”

“Not really, but we’ll go with that for now.”

“For what it’s worth, the back door was open. It appears Benson kicked his way inside.”

Thomas set the phone aside while he radioed Deputy Lambert.

“All right. Lambert should arrive after two-thirty.”

“Thomas, when was the last time you spoke to Raven?”

“Deputy Aguilar joined Raven at the municipal park a half-hour ago.”

“The Wolf Lake municipal park?”

“Another possible Benson sighting. Someone called the advertising firm Ellie Fisher works for and set up a meeting in the park. Raven showed up in Ellie’s place, and a red Mitsubishi Mirage fled the scene. She didn’t get a plate number.”

“Is Raven still with Aguilar? I’m uncomfortable with her investigating alone.”

“I don’t like it, either. Benson already went after Ellie Fisher. Seems he’s settling scores today.”

“The idiot should be in hiding.” Chelsey pushed her hair back. “If you talk to Raven, send her our way. There’s safety in numbers.”

“Will do. Put me on speaker phone. I have a question for LeVar.”

“Give me a second.”

Chelsey held the phone in her palm.

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