Page 7 of Say Now
Alison left her desk and approached Dale.He was in his fifties, just like Rachel, and his face was weatherbeaten.He had a plethora of wrinkles, and his skin was sallow and grey, hanging slightly loose.His eyes were hooded and dark, his hair short and neat, as he might have been taught to wear it in the military if he did that before law enforcement.He was a large man, and despite his age, he looked like he could get into the ring with just about anyone and go ten rounds with them.
"Mr Kent?"Alison asked when she got to him.She put out her hand."I’m Dr.Alison Payne.I’ve been brought in to help with your sister’s case.I’d like to offer my condolences."
Dale looked at Alison in silence for a few seconds, and she got the impression he was sizing her up.She did the same to him.The tightness of his jaw showed his justified fury, and while his eyes were dark, there was a growing fire in them.They told her that he was a man who would take things into his own hands when needed.He reminded her a little of Derek.
"What do you have so far?"he asked, his tone guarded, hiding his rage.
"We’ve only just begun," she told him.She didn't want to hide anything from him and was sure he would be able to find out all the information he wanted, but there was currently nothing to hide."We’re waiting on the autopsy to come back, and from what I’ve heard so far, there was no DNA left at the scene.We know the murder weapon was a blade of some sort, but we can't be certain of what type of blade.To be honest with you, I don't think we’ll know much more until we can talk to a lot of people.It will take time, as I’m sure you know."
"I know how it works."A simple response, but one laced with venomous meaning.If she were in his position, and to some extent she was with her sister, she wouldn’t be able to rest and let someone else take the lead.She would have to be above it all, and she had the feeling Dale Kent was the same.
"We’re all on the same side here, but you’re too close to this, Mr.Kent," Alison said.
"No beating around the bush.I have to admire that.And I have to ignore your plea also."
"I’m one of the best there is at this," Alison told him."I flew all the way from Oakland, and there’s a reason I was brought in.I’m sure you’re going to ignore any warnings I give you, but I must ask you to let me do my job.I will allow you to offer assistance where it is needed, but I can't have you going vigilante on us."
"You’llallowme?"Dale scoffed and smirked."I appreciate your graciousness, but I don't answer to you, Dr.Payne.I don't answer to anyone at the moment, and when I find the son-of-a-gun who did this, justice will be swift."
Alison was afraid of that.She didn't bother to inquire about the sort of justice he might dole out to save him from being vague and skirting around the subject when they both knew exactly what he was willing to do.
"Just don't get in my way," Alison warned.
"Let’s hope we don't get in each other’s way," he countered."I know this city.You might be a hotshot over in California, but that means diddly squat here.Find her killer, and I might change my opinion on that.I will be looking for my sister’s killer, and I really hope that I find him before you do."
"Promise me that if you do find him, you’ll let me know?"Alison asked."I know what’s in your heart, Mr.Kent.I’d rather not be chasing my own tail if our killer suddenly goes missing after we find out who he is."
"All right, agreed," he said."Now, if we’re done, I’d like to get my sister's things and go home."
"I want to know more about her first," Alison demanded."You are obviously upset about your sister in a way that tells me the two of you were close.Is there anything you can share with me?Anyone who might want to hurt her?Any threats recently?Anyone suspicious hanging around?New acquaintances?Things like that.You know how all of this works."
"Yeah, all of that probably.She was a forensic psychologist, and the bulk of her job was dealing with convicts.It would be unusual if she weren’t receiving threats.Do you have any idea what her job entails?"
"It just so happens that I do," Alison replied."I work the exact same job back in Oakland, death threats and all.I also know that they are not always threats.I’ve been threatened dozens of times, and I’ve also had an ex-convict come after me.I take death threats very seriously, so if she has received any recent threats, then I want to know about it."
Dale’s shoulders slackened a little.His jaw loosened, but his mouth tightened.
You’re not a man who likes to be wrong, are you?Now, you’re worried that you might have misjudged the severity of any recent threats.
"She did mention recently that she received some threats.I don't know what they were or who they were from, but I assumed, like all the other, they came from within the prison, that there was nothing to worry about.Oh, geez!"
"It’s probably nothing, but I like to cover all my bases," Alison said."Help me get the information I need, and let’s start discounting it from the investigation, yes?"
"I think they were letters.They’re probably still in her home.She always kept stuff like that."
"Let’s go there together," she said."Let’s find out how serious the threats were.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Can you give me some room?"Dale snapped.
Alison stepped back as Dale tried to find the right key on his keyring.She would be firm with him when it came to the case, but outside of that, he was a man who had just lost his sister, and she had sympathy for him.So, she gave him the space he needed and remained silent as he grumbled about the keys on the keyring.
Finally, he found the right key and unlocked the door.
Alison was unsure if the police had been to her house or if they were planning on visiting.Either way, going with Dale was a handy way to gain access to the house and get to know the victim a little better.
The first thing that was apparent was the neatness of the house.Everything had its own place, and the house smelled clean as if that was part of it.A picture of Rachel and Dale hung on the wall of the hallway leading from the door, along with another couple of photos from when they were younger—their parents were in one of the photos.She valued her family.
