Chapter 20
“Has something else happened? Is Zoey in danger?” Mrs. Rogers asked, perched on the edge of her chair.
“Well…” Jules began, and Cal placed his hand on her knee, silently reminding her she’d agreed to let him do the talking if she accompanied him to the Rogers’ home.
“I believe Zoey is safe as long as you all continue to use best practices and caution. The police patrols will continue for as long as necessary, and they seem to have spooked Mr. Hamilton away. We just want to be sure we didn’t overlook something that might help us get Mr. Hamilton off the street. We need something actionable.”
“Like what?” Mr. Rogers asked.
Cal turned to face Zoey. “Since we last talked, has he contacted you, either in person or through social media? A note on your windshield or text message?”
Zoey’s eyes rounded, and she chewed her bottom lip before shaking her head. “No.”
Cal rubbed his chin, thinking. “Have you noticed anything amiss in the house or your cars? Your yard?”
The family exchanged glances, concerned and dubious frowns on all of their faces.
“Windows left cracked you don’t remember opening? Strange trash in the yard? Trampled flowers under windows?” he prompted.
More head shakes.
“Not that I recall,” Mr. Rogers said. “I mean, we’ve always thought this neighborhood, this town was so safe. We lock our doors at night, of course, and we’ve made sure windows were locked since you told us this man followed Zoey. But…”
When Zoey’s father let his words trail off, Cal said, “Generally speaking, Red Grove is a very safe town. And I’m not trying to alarm you.”
“I heard there was a murder out on the Enchanted Highway a few days ago. Is that true?” Zoey asked.
Cal cut a quick sharp look at Jules to stop her from saying too much, then said calmly, “A man was found along the highway, yes, and the proper authorities are investigating the cause of his death.”
“Zoey?” Jules said, before any more could be said about the alleged murder. “Has anything gone missing from your bedroom? Even something small and impersonal. A comb or pillow or article of clothing?”
Cal sent Jules a look meant to warn her she was breaking their agreement when Zoey said, “Well…not recently. But a few weeks ago, I couldn’t find my favorite scrunchie.”
“Scrunchie?” Cal asked, knitting his brow.
“A cloth-covered band to hold back her hair in a ponytail,” Jules clarified, then arching an eyebrow, added under her breath, “Come on, Colton. You have sisters, for Pete’s sake. Don’t tell me you don’t know about scrunchies.”
He returned a wry look. “I didn’t get any more familiar with my sisters’ personal business than I had to. Separate bathrooms and the works.”
“Is that significant?” Mrs. Rogers asked. “That she lost her scrunchie last month?”
“Are you sure—” Jules began, but Cal cut her off.
“Thank you, Jules. I’ll take it from here.” He turned to Zoey. “Can you describe the…scrunchie?”
Zoey wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “It’s just a regular scrunchie. Green and yellow. Our team colors.”
Cal wrote this information in his notebook, then asked more questions about when she last saw the hair tie and where.
“Last I remember having it was after our game against Butler. I think I left it in our car, but… I don’t know.” Zoey glanced to her parents for reassurance then back to Jules. “Why is that important?”
“My sister lost things from time to time, and I believe Chase took them as sort of trophies.”
Seeing the horror that filled Zoey’s and Mrs. Rogers’ faces, Cal gritted his back teeth. “We don’t know that’s what happened.”
Jules glared at him. “Maybe the police couldn’t prove it, but I know that’s what happened.”
“Trophies?” Mrs. Rogers repeated, her voice trembling. “Like a serial killer?”
Cal saw the moment Jules realized how her comments had upset the family. Color drained from her face, and her mouth opened silently, as if she was searching for words.
“I don’t want you to be unnecessarily alarmed. As I’ve said, we have patrols watching your house and Zoey’s practices. We also have no reason to believe Mr. Hamilton is violent.”
Zoey’s parents exchanged dubious looks.
“Zoey, do you have another scrunchie that I could borrow for a few days?” Cal asked, and the teen gave him a puzzled frown.
“I guess. Why?”
“I want something with your scent for my SAR dog.”
Zoey nibbled her bottom lip, then removed the hair band she was wearing and handed it to him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring it back,” he said with a smile for the girl.
Cal stood then and sent Jules a look that said, We’re done here.
“I believe that’s all for today. If you find anything else missing, or see him around your property, or have any questions, please contact me immediately. All right?”
Jules rose and smoothed her slacks. After a beat, during which he saw her take a deep breath, she gave the family a tense smile. “Thank you for your time. Try not to worry. We’re going to get him. I promise.”
With a hand at the base of Jules’s back, Cal ushered her out of the Rogers’ home and to his Wrangler in their driveway. “I thought you were going to let me do the talking.”
“Were you going to ask her about missing items? I knew taking things from his victims was part of Chase’s MO.”
He paused with his hand on the passenger-side door handle and faced her.
“The point is, trust is a two-way street, Jules. We had a deal, and you didn’t keep it.
I have to protect the legality of this investigation.
You’re not law enforcement.” He sighed. “And I didn’t want to alarm them or provoke them into doing anything ill-advised. ”
She puffed up her chest and lifted her chin. “Maybe they should be alarmed. Maybe if the cops and courts were more alarmed about Chase, someone would have done something about him by now!”
Cal kept his mouth clamped shut, taking a moment before he spoke, knowing an argument was not helpful. “Jules—”
“I’m sorry,” she said, dropping her shoulders and glancing away. “I did make a deal with you, and I broke it. And I shouldn’t have yelled at you just now. I know you’re trying to help. My frustration isn’t with you. I just—”
She blew a puff of air from pursed lips and shook her head.
He opened the Jeep door and held it for her. “Apology accepted. And for what it’s worth, the missing hair band is a big deal. It’s a lead we can follow up on. Let’s go get a search warrant.”