Chapter 34
“You’re shit out of luck,” Daniels said when we caught up with him in his office. “Duval’s prints don’t match.”
My brow wrinkled with confusion. “What!? That’s not possible.
“That’s the way it is.”
“The female prints probably belong to Lindsey.”
“So, who do the other male prints belong to?” JD asked.
“Find out, and you’ll find your killer,” Daniels said.
I updated him on Duval’s potential motive.
“And you think Liam started diddling Duval’s wife to find information?”
I nodded. “Maybe he was about to expose Duval. According to Liam, that drug killed his mother.”
“And you think he found proof?”
I shrugged. “He did have unfettered access to Duval’s residence, computers, etc.”
The sheriff groaned. “I know a few people who are on that shit. Figure out if there’s any merit to Liam’s accusations.”
“We’re on it,” I said.
JD and I left the sheriff’s office and chatted with Denise for a bit, then headed up to Oyster Avenue to grab lunch.
Jack was in the mood for the conch shrimp risotto, so we hit the Stillwater Grill. I ordered the center-cut filet with a red wine reduction and a side of roasted potatoes and sautéed mushrooms.
We filled our bellies and kicked around theories. I kept thinking about what Blake had said. Maybe Liam had confided in Stephanie. It was a long shot, but worth a try.
After we ate, Jack picked up the tab, and we drove to Coconut Key High School. We parked in the faculty lot and made our way through the halls to the administration office. Walking past lockers brought back memories of my high school days.
I flashed my badge to the clerk at the front desk and told her we needed to speak to Stephanie Wescott.
A grave look washed over her face. "I hope she's not in any kind of trouble."
Dolores was mid-50s with curly dark hair, a round face, and brilliant blue eyes.
I flashed a disarming smile and said, "No trouble. We just need to speak to her."
She breathed a relieved sigh. “After what happened to her father, that family doesn’t need any more drama. Let me just pull up her schedule." Dolores tapped the keys, and a moment later, she said, "Looks like she's in Mr. Crawford’s chemistry class. Room #304."
I thanked her for the information. We left the office and strolled through the hallways.
JD and I climbed the steps to the third floor, wandered the corridors, and hovered outside the steel door to Mr. Crawford's class. It hadn’t changed much in all these years.
I peered through the glass slot and spotted Stephanie.
I gave a brief knock before pulling the door open.
All eyes fell on us as we stepped inside. Mr. Crawford looked a little annoyed at the disruption.
I flashed my badge, and the entire room stiffened.
"We need to borrow Stephanie for a moment," I said.
A look of panic washed over her face. She swallowed hard but didn't move.
"Stephanie," Mr. Crawford said.
She hesitated a moment and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't want to talk to them."
Now Stephanie was the focus of attention.
"You’re not in trouble,” I assured. “We just need to ask you a few questions. It's not about your father."
Mr. Crawford intervened. "Gentlemen, this is an unwelcome disruption to my class. It's hard enough to maintain their attention. If you don’t mind, perhaps you can find a better time to speak with my student."
I smiled. "Certainly.” I said to Stephanie, "You may be able to help us find Liam's real killer. But that's probably not important to you."
The crowd gasped.
JD and I stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind us.
I had baited the hook just enough. Hopefully, she’d take a nibble.