Page 8 of Hunting the Truth
A middle-aged lady with the first signs of gray in her light brown hair, reading glasses hanging around her neck and a kind expression, stared back at them. Her expression shifted from kind to surprised and then she went sheet-white like she’d seen a ghost.
“Denise Douglas?” Maya asked.
“Who’s asking?” Denise snapped back.
Maya hesitated. She knew from pictures and from what everyone said that she was the spitting image of her mother. Seeing Maya standing on her front step was probably a shock for Denise. “Denise, I’m U.S. Forest Service Officer Maya Thompson. I think you knew my mother, Zoey?”
Denise didn’t answer. She locked her gaze onto Maya and then to Josh. “What do you want?”
“I’d love a few minutes of your time to talk about my mother and what you knew about her. From what we know, you went to Montana with her when you were in high school.”
“I don’t have anything to tell you. That was a long time ago.”
“Ma’am.” Josh spoke up. “Zoey’s homicide case has been reopened and the CBI is investigating. We’re just helping them out. If we could have a few minutes of your time, we’d really appreciate it.”
“I said, I don’t have anything to tell you. Now, if you would please leave, I would appreciate it. My daughter will be home from school soon and I don’t need her or my neighbors seeing two officers standing on the front porch.”
Denise was about ready to close the door, but Maya stuck her hand out, blocking it from shutting.
“Please,” she pleaded. “You were my mom’s best friend. Anything you can remember would help.”
“I think you have the wrong information. I barely remember your mother from high school. Now please leave.”
Maya stepped back, allowing Denise to shut the door. Disappointment filled her and she took a deep breath.
“It was worth a try,” Josh said. “How about we still get Juniper out on that walk?”
Arriving at the river trail parking lot, Juniper began circling in the back and barking in excitement.
“She definitely needs to get some energy out,” Josh said.
“She’s been rambunctious,” Maya said as she exited the vehicle, thinking about Juniper barking earlier at the foxes. “It’ll be good to be back on duty tomorrow. She doesn’t do well with days off. She needs to work.”
She pulled out Juniper’s off-duty collar and leash from behind the seat. The excited yips continued. Maya opened the door to the specialized K-9 compartment. The area was outfitted with rubber mats, temperature control and Juniper’s blanket, which was now in confetti-size pieces. She knew she shouldn’t give Juniper a blanket, but since the dog hadn’t actually eaten any of the shredded parts so far, she figured she could still provide Juniper some comfort.
Maya waited until Juniper calmed down before opening the door. Josh stood out of the way of the fur missile ready to launch. Juniper’s front paws danced up and down in anticipation as Maya secured the collar. Then Juniper came flying out, landing gracefully and shaking her whole body. She saw Josh and went to jump up on him, but Maya caught her in time and had Juniper sit and settle. When Maya was satisfied the dog was listening, she allowed Josh to pet her and then they started their walk.
The river was running low, and rocks jutted up from the streambed. A low gurgling sound came from the water. Maya loved September in Colorado. The river seemed peaceful, unlike spring, when it came alive with deep water and strong rapids from the snowmelt. The leaves were changing up in the high country and while the days could still be warm, the nights were cool and crisp.
“Thanks for driving all the way down here to tell me about Denise and go with me to talk to her,” Maya said.
“You’re welcome. I wish she would have talked with us more.”
“I do too, but I’m sure it was also a shock to her to have us show up out of the blue on her doorstep. I just want justice and to find some sort of closure.”
“I know, but we also have to remember that sometimes we don’t find a suspect and even if we did, what is closure?”
“I’m not going to give up on this investigation,” Maya said.
“I would be shocked if you did. That’s one of the many things I like about you: you don’t give up. Not to mention I enjoy spending time with you and this seemed like a good reason to get out of paperwork and join you and Juniper today.”
Maya’s heart rate quickened. She focused on the trail ahead. “I’m always glad to see you too. So how did you talk Pops into letting you come down here? I know he likes paperwork being finished and he must have given you a stack since you’re the chief deputy.”
Josh sighed. “I do have a stack of paperwork, but I told your grandfather about finding Denise and that you were already down here. He told me to finish the paperwork later.”
Maya pulled Juniper up at an area near some ponds. A flock of Canada geese swam out in the middle of the water. Their summer goslings were following behind, looking like gawky teenagers. Juniper perked her ears up and focused her eyes in their direction while Maya studied Josh’s face. She could tell he was holding back on something.
Lightly touching his arm, Maya said, “I’m glad Pops let you out of the office for the afternoon. But I think there’s something more you want to tell me. What is it?”
