Page 33 of A Touch of Murder
"Good. It's been busy. How about your day? Any luck finding the killer?"
"Killers," Barret told her.
"More than one?" Becky sounded shocked.
"Two men kidnapped and killed her. But no, we haven't found them yet. I've got some good leads though. I'll explain more when I get there. I need to pay Verna and Mike a visit tonight. I was hoping you might box up a dozen of Mike's favorite donuts that I can take as a gift. I'll swing by and pay for them in about thirty minutes or so."
"Sure. I know just what he likes. Everything okay with them?" Becky asked.
"They're fine. I just want to talk to Verna about a run-in she and Mike had with someone at the hardware store. Nothing to worry about. Old news really. I just want to make sure I have the full story." He didn't want his sister to worry about anything. He needed to show her the photos of the killers but was almost scared to because he would lose his shit if either of those men had been near Becky.
"Then I'll be here. I'll get you an apple fritter and a coffee too so you can enjoy it while you tell me what's been going on. I've seen you in and out of Adam's. Did he find more information?"
Barret sighed. "We'll talk when I get there. Might end up being two cups of coffee, so be prepared."
"It's a bakery, Barret. I always have fresh coffee. See you in a while." Becky ended the call.
Barret headed to the station. He needed to let Vance know what he'd found out and see where Vance was speaking to trucking companies that worked in the area. They'd contacted each company they knew delivered or at least drove through Hidden Falls and sent them the photos of the two men, asking if they drove for the company. Vance was dealing with calls and emails about that when he'd left him.
The trip out to talk to the mechanics and workers at the truck stop had come up empty. No one remembered seeing the two men, and even with the drawing Adam had done showing what he remembered of the sleeper cab, it had been too common for anyone to pick a certain truck or company that had cabs like that.
"Any luck?" Barret asked as he walked into the back of the station to find Vance and several other officers at their desks.
"None. You?" Vance looked up with tired eyes.
"Maybe. One of the girls at Chubby's recognized our younger suspect as one that comes in every few weeks but knew nothing about him. And Verna's son said he was with his mother at the hardware store when they had a run-in with our older suspect. I'm about to head over to Verna's to see if she can tell me more than Mike could." Barret took a seat at his desk.
"That confirms these men have been in town. Do any of your witnesses remember dates?" Vance asked.
"No, but I'm hoping Verna will. Mike wasn't able to tell me much other than the man was rude and cut in line. I dropped in here to give you an update and to tell you to go home. It's late. I'll talk to Verna tonight then I'm headed home. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow. I want to run by the hardware store and see if Earl remembers this guy and find out if he might have cameras that caught an image of him. While Maggie's sketches are great, it would be even better to have an actual photo." Barret closed down his computer for the day.
Vance leaned back in his chair, his arm behind his head. "I've still got several more trucking companies to call, but it's late and most their offices are closed for the night. I'll get through the rest tomorrow, then look into maybe construction companies that might use bigger trucks or had stuff hauled in for a project recently. I'm trying to think outside the box on why someone might bring a truck into the area other than your typical reasons."
"That's good thinking. I'll brainstorm on that tonight as well. But Lisa did say the guy came into Chubby's every few weeks and always ordered the same thing. That's why she remembered him. I bet we're looking for someone who comes into town every few weeks to deliver somewhere. We just need to figure out where." Barret rolled his shoulders. He was feeling a headache coming on. He wanted to go home and kick back on his couch, but he couldn't do that until he talked to Verna.
"Might want to check those summer cabins just outside of town. What's the name, something like Summer Falls?" Officer Steller said from across the room.
"Seasons Inn at the Falls," Vance corrected. "Good thinking. They're just getting ready to open for the summer. I bet they have stuff shipped in. They've got over thirty cabins to prepare along with that general store."
"We'll drop by there tomorrow," Barret told Vance. "For now, I'm going to go see my sister for a few minutes while I wait for Verna to get home. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Barret stood and gathered everything he needed for the night.
"Tell Mike I said hi and that I'm looking forward to his baseball team's playoff game this coming weekend," Officer Steller called.
"I didn't know they'd made the playoffs. I'll have Becky send something special as a congratulations." Barret waved as he made his way back out to his car. He paused to look up into the darkening sky, thinking maybe he'd lay out back on the hammock instead of the couch when he got home. It was a beautiful night.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Barret knocked on the back door to the bakery since it had already closed for the day. He knew his sister stayed usually until six or so as she cleaned up for the day and baked and prepared for the next morning. He admired the hours his sister put into her business and was glad she'd found success in doing something she loved.
"Hey, come on in." Becky opened the door wide. "You look beat."
"Thanks, that's just what every man wants to hear." Barret stepped inside, immediately overwhelmed with the smell of fresh baked bread. His stomach grumbled loudly.
"Sounds like you're hungry. Come sit down. I'll make you a deli sandwich to go with your fritter if you have time."
"I can't meet with Verna until after seven, so I have time." Barret went to the table in the corner where customers wouldn't be able to see them through the front window. "How's business?"
"Busy as ever. I just signed a contract with Hidden Fall's Motel to supply all their morning breakfast pastries. It'll be a lot more work, but it's good money. I might even be able to hire an assistant to help me bake." Becky pulled out bread, then paused. "Ham or turkey?"
