Page 153 of Lost Then Found
Rose’s nostrils flare. “No.”
“But they threatened your job,” I say. “Your retirement.”
She exhales sharply. “Call it what you want.”
I run a hand over my jaw, my frustration mounting. “Who else knew about the original report? Who else had access to it before you changed it?”
Rose hesitates, then finally says, “The county clerk’s office would have the first copy before I filed the second one. But good luck finding it. Whoever wanted that first report gone probably trashed it.”
I nod, filing that away.
Miller sits back, tapping a manicured nail against the arm of the chair. “One last thing. The woman on the phone. You didn’t recognize her voice?”
Rose shakes her head. “No. Not that I could tell.”
“You’re sure? Not at all?” Miller presses.
Her lips purse. “I said no.”
Miller studies her for a second, then nods. “Alright. That’s all we need.”
Rose looks relieved, like she’s been holding her breath this whole time. She stands, crossing her arms over her chest. “You should go.”
I exchange another glance with Miller before pushing off thearm of the couch.
Before we head for the door, I turn back to Rose. “Appreciate your time,” I say, my voice steady but genuine. “I know this probably wasn’t a conversation you wanted to have.”
She presses her lips together. “No, it wasn’t.” A pause. “But…I hope you figure out whatever it is you’re trying to figure out.”
Miller gives her a pointed look. “Oh, we will.”
Rose doesn’t respond, just nods toward the door, a clear sign we’ve outstayed our welcome. I nod once, stepping past her and out onto the porch.
Outside, the morning sun stretches low across the pavement, golden and sharp, but the air still bites with that leftover chill that clings to late spring. I shove my hands into my pockets as Miller falls into step beside me. We don’t say anything until we’re closer to our cars.
“So,” I finally say, glancing her way. “It was a woman who called her.”
Miller lets out a sharp breath, shaking her head. “Yeah. Didn’t have that one on my bingo card.”
I nod, eyes scanning the street, taking in every parked car, every slow-moving vehicle in the distance. “Doesn’t automatically clear Wendell, though. He’s smart enough not to put himself in a position where this can be traced back to him.”
“Which means he’s got someone doing his dirty work for him.” Miller lets out a long breath. “It doesn’t make sense. Whoever’s behind this knew it would hit Lark where it hurt. Who the hell would do this to her?” She shakes her head, more to herself than me. “I can’t think of a single person in this town who doesn’t love her and Hudson.”
I glance at her. “Yeah. Me neither.”
She nudges me with her elbow. “Speaking of that, when’s the wedding?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m working on it.”
Miller snorts. “Work faster.”
I shake my head, glancing toward the road again, an uneasy feeling creeping in at the base of my spine. “We need to get to the county clerk’s office.”
Miller nods. “I’ll meet you there.” She reaches for her car door, then pauses, glancing over at me. “By the way, nice work in there, Special Forces. Almost seemed like you knew what you were doing.”
I smirk. “Almost. You weren’t bad yourself, for a terrifying, borderline unethical investigator.”
She grins. “I do my best.”
