FINDING NICKY(Clean Suspense) (Detective Jason Strong Book 23) by John C. Dalglish

Author:John C. Dalglish [Dalglish, John C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

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The sun had dipped below the top of the Bandera Flats Apartments by the time they arrived. The parking lot was quiet and most of the spaces filled since the bulk of the tenants were home for the evening. Vanessa parked the Challenger in an empty spot across from Dan Holden’s unit.

They got out and crossed the parking lot just as a young Hispanic woman stepped out of her car. Jason recognized her. “Hey, isn’t that the pregnant neighbor from upstairs that Holden claimed as his alibi?”

Vanessa nodded. “Sanchez, I think.”

Jason snapped his fingers. “Kim Sanchez. Let’s speak to her.”

Sanchez, in an orange maternity top and elastic shorts, glanced at them, then hurried for the staircase. Jason picked up his pace. “Miss Sanchez?”

She pretended not to hear.

“Kim Sanchez!”

Halfway up the steps, she stopped and turned. “Si?”

Jason took out his badge. “I’m Detective Strong. May I have a minute?”

She shrugged and came back to the bottom of the steps. Her black hair was in a long braid and her brown eyes darted from place to place, as if checking to see who was watching.

Jason put away his badge as Vanessa came up alongside. “This is my partner, Detective King.”

Sanchez nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

Jason pointed over at Holden’s door. “Do you know Dan Holden?”

“Si.”

“You and he visit often?”

“Si. He is very nice.”

“When was the last time you were at his place?”

“Two nights ago.”

“Do you remember what time?”

“Dinner to late.”

Vague was an understatement. “What time exactly?”

“Um…six to…nine?”

It came across as more of a question than an answer. Regardless, six in the evening was after the time Teresa Holden went missing, but only left an hour for her to be killed and Holden to be home. Not airtight, but almost.

“Thank you.”

She nodded and bolted up the stairs.

Vanessa watched her go. “Think she’s an illegal?”

“She’s awfully nervous for some reason.”

They walked over to Holden’s door and knocked. He opened it still wearing his FedEx uniform but cradling an off-duty beverage―a Corona. “Come in.”

He turned and walked back into the apartment. Jason and Vanessa followed him into the tiny unit. Holden flipped on an overhead light and gestured at a small kitchen table. “Want to have a seat?”

Jason nodded. “Please.”

“I’d ask if you want a beer, but I gather you’re both still on the clock.”

“You’re correct.”

Jason and Vanessa each took a chair at the table. Across from them, Holden pulled out a chair, rotated it 180 degrees, and sat with his arms resting on the back. “Why did you need to see me again?”

Jason met the man’s gaze. “It’s about your daughter.”

“Nicky? Is she okay?”

“Frankly, I can’t answer that question.”

“Why not?”

“Because Nicky hasn’t been seen for roughly three weeks now.”

Holden’s gaze shifted to the floor. “Three weeks?”

“That’s right. According to Adam Reid, she and her mother had a blow-up. Nicky moved out.”

“I know.”

“You knew she wasn't staying at home?”

“Yes.”

“She’s underage. That makes her a runaway.”

Holden nodded. “I guess that would be the proper way to put it.”

“Why wasn't she reported as a runaway?”

“I assume for the same reason she’s never been reported before.

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