Page 24 of Peak Suspicion
Mira told thelawmen and the principal the same story she had related to Carter, about David Ketchum’s disappearance and death, and the anonymous letter writer’s implication that shewas somehow involved in the crime. “I had nothing to do with David or his death,” she said. “Like everyone else, I thought he had run away or gotten lost. I was shocked when his body was found. I was never a suspect. I was never even questioned by law enforcement.”
“If they had questioned you, what would you have told them?” Porter asked.
“He was one student in my twice-weekly elementary school classes,” she said. “A friendly, bright boy with a nice smile. I didn’t know much about him or his family. What happened to him was horrible but I have no idea who was responsible.”
“Why would someone write notes to you about it?” Porter asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve lain awake nights trying to figure that out.”
“Whoever is writing these notes obviously likes to harass people,” Carter said. “I thought maybe they found out Mira was from Santa Fe, remembered the crime and decided to connect her with it. Not because she did anything wrong, but because they knew it would be unsettling and, well, mean.”
“But now someone is trying to connect me with another child’s kidnapping,” she said.
“Who is upset with you?” Porter asked. “A parent whose child you flunked, a former student you gave a bad grade, or a neighbor you argued with over a parking spot?”
She shook her head. “Nothing like that. I’ve only been in Eagle Mountain less than a month.”
“Why did you leave Santa Fe?” Porter asked.
“I’d lived there all my life. I wanted a change. And this was a good opportunity. Eagle Mountain is beautiful.”
Carter sensed her nervousness, so that he felt jumpy himself. He wanted to protest they should stop hassling her, now. Couldn’t they see she hadn’t done anything wrong?
“Is there anyone in Eagle Mountain who you knew in Santa Fe?” Travis asked.
“No one,” she said. “And everyone I’ve met here has been really nice.” She didn’t look at Carter, but he hoped she was thinking of him when she said this.
“Have you seen these notes?” Porter asked Carter.
“I have,” Carter said. “They look just like the other notes I’ve seen that other people in town have received. Printed on a half sheet of plain white paper. A short message, unsigned. They don’t accuse Mira of anything specific, just a connection with David—no last name, just David.”
“We’ll need to see the notes,” Porter said.
“You can come to my apartment and get them,” she said. “Or I can bring them to the sheriff tomorrow.”
“Bring them to the sheriff’s department as soon as you can,” Travis said.
“Can I go now?” Mira asked. She looked utterly drained.
“You can go,” Porter said. “We’ll be in touch if we have more questions.”
Carter stood and offered his hand to help her up. She didn’t take it, but when she was standing, she leaned toward him slightly. They exited the office together. She waited until they were out of the building before she spoke. “Thanks for coming in there with me,” she said.
“You’re not angry I told them about the letters?”
“No. I should have told them before, I guess. It’s just…”
“You hoped if you ignored the letter writer, the harassment would stop,” he said.
“Yes.” She gripped his arm. “Do you think the same person sent those letters and put those pants in my desk drawer?”
“If it was the same person, that means they kidnapped Bryce,” Carter said. “It’s the only way they would have those jeans.”
“Then does that mean they killed David Ketchum, too?”
“Not necessarily,” he said. “Maybe they just heard about David’s case and wanted to commit a similar crime. They thought throwing suspicion on you would make it easier for them to get away with it.”
She stopped and closed her eyes, face pale. “Thank God Bryce escaped. But what if they try again?”
