Chapter 7
“Not that I’m aware of,” Judy said.
“Who’s Fletcher?” I asked. “He sent her some pretty nasty texts.”
“They just broke up. Or I should say, she broke up with Fletcher." Judy frowned. "He wasn't too happy about that from what I heard.”
“Apparently not.”
“I know she just started seeing Trevor, but I really can't keep up. She always got so irritated with me when I tried to stick my nose into her business." Judy lifted her chin. "I just tried to keep out of it. You can't tell them anything. Not at that age." Her eyes filled again.
“Is Fletcher the violent type?”
Her face tightened. “I don’t think so. She never mentioned anything to me. I don’t think Sydney was the type that would have stuck around for long if he was.”
“How long did they date?”
“A little over a year.“
“And Trevor?”
“I think that’s new. Within the last few weeks.”
“Was there any overlap?”
“I don’t know,” she said, growing offended. “I’m sure my daughter was not the type of woman to run around on a man.”
“Of course not.”
“You don’t think Fletcher could have done something like this, do you?”
I shrugged. “We’re keeping all options on the table.“
Her lips thinned as she thought about it. “He was really head over heels for her, from what I knew. I liked Fletcher. He comes from a good family. I think he was the ambitious sort. Sydney could have chosen worse. I guess there’s no telling what people will do when spurned.”
"Were you here all night last night?" I asked, trying to make the question sound innocuous.
"Yes."
"Did Sydney have any enemies that you know of?"
With a dismissive headshake, she said, "No. Everybody loved Sydney." Judy paused for a moment. "Well, maybe not everybody.”
We waited for her to elaborate.
"Sydney started that damn podcast. I don't know why she felt she needed to do that. I guess she was making money from it, but she didn't need money. Of course, Sydney wanted to do everything herself," Judy said in a frustrated sigh. "She wouldn't take money from Preston or me. I guess she thought there was some kind of nobility in poverty. But if anything, Preston proved you can be noble and rich. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take rich any day of the week. Let me tell you, I’ve been poor, and I don’t recommend it. Preston wasn’t always a multibillionaire. I grew up with nothing. ”
"Tell me about the podcast," I said.
"Well, she started taking on various social issues. Then she exposed that company for dumping toxic waste. I don't think they were too thrilled with her about that." Judy took a breath. "Don't get me wrong. I'm all for what she did. It's downright criminal what that company was doing.”
"What company would that be?"
Judy's mouth tightened as she thought about it. "It’s on the tip of my tongue. I can't think of it right now. Can I let you know when it comes to me?"
"Certainly." I dug into my pocket and set a card on the table. "Reach out anytime, day or night."
Judy wiped her eyes again and nodded.
“Who’s Bailey?”
"They’ve been friends since grade school.”
“So Bailey would know the ins and outs of Sydney’s dating life.”
“I'm sure those two held more secrets than the US government.”
"I'll need her contact information as well," I said.
Judy nodded, took my card, then texted me the info.
“What about Patrick?”
“I don’t know anyone named Patrick.”
“He didn’t seem too happy with Sydney.”
Judy had a blank expression. “She never mentioned anyone by that name.”
We offered our condolences and said we'd be in touch. She escorted us to the door, and I said, "Don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
"Thank you, I know you will find out who killed my baby.”
"We will do our best."
"I want more than your best. I want justice."
I nodded, and we stepped outside and took the walkway back to the van. We hopped inside, and I fired up the engine.
Jack said, "I think Sydney knew her killer. I think she invited him into the apartment, and he went berserk for some reason."
"You might be right."
I drove back to the station, and we filled out after-action reports and caught the sheriff up to speed.
Afterward, I found Denise at her desk and asked her to look up everyone on the sex offender registry.
Recent releases between the ages of 18 and 40.
Those were the highest probability matches.
If this was a random attack, it probably wasn't the assailant’s first rodeo.
We left the station and set out to find Bailey.