Every Deadly Suspicion

Chapter 53

CHAPTER 53

“I FEEL AS IF I’ VE JUST RUN A MARATHON, ” Hanna said to Jared as they reached the paramedic rig. One of the medics held out water bottles. She took one and so did Jared.

“With all the smoke we inhaled, we might as well have run a marathon in thick smog.”

Hanna chugged the water as Asa jogged up. “What on earth happened?”

Hanna sat on the bumper and told him about Marcus and finding Edda’s car.

“There are purses in the garage, I hope they survived because they’re evidence. It’s possible they belong to the other Lonely Heart victims. Marcus kept trophies.”

“The guys are getting a handle on the fire,” Jared told her. “The way it’s burning, the house will be a total loss, but the purses might be okay.”

“As soon as they let me, I’ll go take a look.” Asa shook his head. “Are you certain Marcus is not in the house?”

“What? Why?” Hanna stood and looked toward the garage. She could see the top of the SUV. “His SUV is still here.”

“We heard a car leave,” Jared said.

“Asa, can you check and see if there is a Honda still back there or a red VW? Marcus might have left in a different car. The BOLO that went out on his SUV needs to be changed.”

Asa nodded and went to check.

Rita pulled the O 2 mask from her face. “Did he steal my car?”

“We’ll find out.”

Asa walked back. “Edda’s car is still there. So, what kind of vehicle is Marcus in?”

Rita gave him the information, and Asa let dispatch know to change the BOLO.

“Oh, my mistake.” Hanna slapped a palm into her forehead. “I never should have assumed Marcus left in his own car.”

Jared placed a hand on her shoulder. “There was no way we could have seen what car he left in.”

“I just wonder how far he could have gotten when everyone was looking for the wrong car.”

“We’ll catch him,” Asa said. “I can’t believe that Marcus is a killer. He’s always been annoying, but a killer?” He turned to Rita. “Are you up to telling me what happened?”

She nodded and removed the mask again. “He told me his name was Perry. We met on Mix and Match a couple of months ago.”

“What did he tell you about himself?”

“That he worked from home and was stuck overseas because of a passport glitch.”

“Passport glitch? Did you send him money?”

“I sent him about five hundred dollars to help him with legal issues. Yesterday he texted and told me he’d made it home and asked me to meet him here.” She frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well. I’m not sure that was Perry. Maybe this guy did something to Perry.”

“What do you mean?”

“Can I have my phone back?”

“Sure.” Hanna realized she still had the phone so she handed it back to Rita.

Rita played with the phone and then held it up so Hanna could see. “This is the profile picture I have for Perry. It doesn’t look anything like that guy.”

Hanna stared. The picture on the phone was not Marcus. It was Chase, a picture from thirty-five years ago, before his burns.