Page 18 of The Smart Killer
“What?” she asked.
Noah raised a hand. “I’m not saying it is, as they are still investigating, but it appears there was a witness who said that he saw Adam leave the house in a different vehicle before the fire. That vehicle never returned, and he hasn’t shown up.”
“But there were four bodies found.”
“I know. What we have been told by the witness hasn’t been verified yet. The M.E. has only identified your sister through dental records. They are waiting to hear back on Adam.”
Callie looked at him, her brow furrowed. “I’m confused. Are you saying local PD are entertaining the thought that Adam is alive and he murdered them?”
Noah nodded.
She shook her head. “The witness has to be wrong.”
“You know how it is, Callie. It’s still early in the investigation.”
“The witness. Who is it?”
“A neighbor,” Noah replied, not wishing to name names, especially with Jason’s history of arson. The last thing anyone needed was a distraught sister to show up on the family’s doorstep demanding answers. Not that Callie would do that, but grief brought out the worst in most, especially if foul play was suspected. “Local PD has an APB out on the truck and Adam. I expect we will get answers soon enough.”
“But it might not be him, right?” Callie said. “There is the possibility that the neighbor is mistaken and they witnessed someone else leave. It was dark. Late.”
“It was. It’s possible.”
Callie stared down into her hands.
“If it is him, I hope they throw the book at him,” McKenzie snarled, charging back into the kitchen to collect the coffee. He re-emerged red-faced and still angry. It was evident from his defensive attitude that his work relationship with Callie over the past few months had created a strong bond.
“You said he was here the other evening with Hannah. Did things seem okay?” Noah asked.
“I think so. They were laughing. Hannah showed me the ring he’d given her. She’d only known him — what — less than eight months, and he’d already proposed. They were talking about their future. He was polite. Respectful. Everything you could hope for after what she went through with Kyle.”
“Kyle?” Noah asked.
“Her ex-husband. Kyle Branson. Lives here in town. It’s what drove her away a year ago to California.”
“He beat on her?”
“No. Mental abuse. Fucked with her mind. Controlling.”
Noah nodded. “And yet she returned?”
“As did you,” she said softly but defensively. “Home is home, right?” Callie took a sip of her coffee. “I think she wanted to finalize the divorce, and according to her, Kyle was in a better place. According to Hannah, he understood her reason for leaving.”
Noah leaned forward in his seat. “Did Hannah mention anything unusual? Anything out of the ordinary?”
She shook her head. “No. Everything was good.”
“So, nothing strange?”
Callie glanced away, then looked back at him. “Well, there was one thing that Adam had mentioned over supper. He joked about it. Said he thought it was a practical joke or a dig at his interracial relationship. He received a letter a couple of days ago telling him to leave.”
“A threat?”
“He didn’t consider it a threat. More of a suggestion.”
“He show you this?”
“No, he threw it in the trash and ignored it.”
