Chapter 15
“Go away!” Stephanie shouted. “I don’t want to talk to anyone.”
“Stephanie, my name is Deputy Wild. I'm with Coconut County. We need to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Liam.”
"Go away. I'm not talking to anyone.”
"We’re just trying to find out who may have killed him."
"Isn't it fucking obvious?”
Gwen shook her head. "Don't listen to her. She's just upset and irrational. I can assure you, John did not kill Liam.”
I pulled a card from my pocket and slipped it under the door. “Stephanie, get in touch with me if you want to talk. Anytime, day or night."
A hint of concern and annoyance washed over Gwen. "You don't really believe John had some involvement in this.”
"Seems like he had a hell of a motive. Where can we find him?”
Gwen hesitated. "If you’re going to pursue this line of inquiry, I don't think I want to help you. In fact, I'd like you to leave.”
I smiled and said, "We’ll be in touch." Then I added, “One more thing. Is Stephanie seeing anyone else besides Liam?”
Gwen glared at me. “You’ll have to ask her.”
We’d definitely worn out our welcome.
JD and I plunged down the steps and showed ourselves out. We walked back to the van and climbed inside.
“Now that’s one messed-up family,” Jack muttered.
I cranked up the engine and pulled away from the curb.
My phone buzzed with a call from the sheriff. "I need you to talk to the Pearsons," Daniels said.
"We are technically on administrative leave.”
Daniels groaned. "I know you're still working these cases. Get over to the Pearsons’ and calm them down. Somebody's been flying a drone around the property, spying on them.”
"I have a pretty good idea who it is.”
"That's what I figured.”
The Pearsons lived just a block over. JD and I stopped by and talked to the couple at their door.
“Can you describe the drone?” I asked.
“It was a small, black, quad-blade copter,” Richard said. “It flew around the house and came right up to the window. That’s highly illegal, and I want whoever is responsible behind bars. I have no doubt this is the same person who made false allegations.”
“Do you have any pictures or security footage of the drone?”
Richard frowned. “No. I don’t. I’ve got half a mind to shoot the damn thing down next time I see it on my property.”
“I wouldn’t do that. The FAA considers them aircraft. Not to mention, discharging a firearm within city limits is illegal in most situations.”
“I don’t care about the FAA. I care about my privacy. I should be able to protect it. This is no different from trespassing.”
“I understand your frustration. I will track down the likely suspect and give them a warning.”
“A warning? I want an arrest!”
“I need probable cause.”
Richard frowned.
Julie said, “Just please ask whoever is responsible to stop.”
“I will investigate and report back.”
Neither seemed satisfied.
JD and I left, walked back to the van, and set out to find Zoe.