And Then She Was Gone(92)

“You took notes?”

Jack nodded. “I went to H.T. Wells and started asking around.”

“You can’t do that, Jack.”

“There’s no law against talking to people.”

“There is one about hindering a police investigation.”

“I’m just trying to bring you other possibilities. Vargas is locked in on Jay, when he should be looking at other people too.”

“Such as?”

“Stacy’s manager, Leland Chambers. He argued with Stacy that night. Over a report. For the Right-A-Way Shipping company.”

“Where did you get that?”

“The custodian, Jeremy. When I questioned Mr. Chambers about the report, it really got under his skin, and he had Jeremy fired.”

“That’s interesting.”

“I thought so.”

Clark pulled out his own notepad and started to take notes. “Go on.”

“I also found someone in the park who you need to look at. Alex Hernandez.”

Clark’s expression soured. “I know Alex.”

“Well, the night of the murder, Alex was in the area right next to where Stacy’s body was found. He called it an outpost.”

Clark lowered his notepad. “Wait a minute—he spoke with you?”

“Yes. He answered a few questions. When I asked him about the murders—”

“Do you know how unbalanced he is?” Clark took another long drag of his cigarette. His face glowed almost as brightly as the end of the cigarette.

“I do now.”

Clark ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve already spoken with Alex. Detective Vargas interviewed him too. Alex cooperated fully.”

“I thought you said you weren’t part of this investigation.”

Clark’s scowled deepened. “I said it’s not my case. But when you work law enforcement, it’s all hands on deck. Besides, if there’s an issue with Alex, they call me in. How was he after you spoke to him?”

“Agitated. He got really upset. Was he a suspect in his wife’s murder?”

“No. He was overseas at the time.” Clark looked around. “I’ll have to go talk to him again. Where did you see him?”

“In the basement of the old maintenance building at Hamilton Park. He told me he saw a messenger, in civilian clothes. I think he was talking about a jogger, and based on his description of the clothes, that jogger was Leland Chambers.”

Clark flicked his ashes. “Alex thinks that all joggers are messengers. There were several in the park that night—we talked to a few. We interviewed Chambers too.”

“I think you should be looking at both Alex and Chambers.” Jack’s eyes lit up. “You gave Alex the key to the maintenance building.”

Clark sucked on his cigarette so hard Jack was surprised it didn’t burst into flame. “Alex didn’t tell you that.”

“No. You did.”

Clark’s forehead creased.

“You weren’t surprised when I said I talked to him inside the maintenance building.”

Clark exhaled until the last puff of smoke drifted out of his mouth. “I didn’t give him the key, but I do overlook the fact that he has it.” He clicked his tongue. “I feel bad for him after what happened to his wife. I worked her murder.”

“My mother told me.” Jack shook his head. “Did you catch the murderer? Is he in jail?”

“No.”

“So whoever murdered Alex’s wife could have murdered Stacy Shaw. It’s the same MO. Anne Hernandez was pregnant, wasn’t she?”

Clark watched a group of police officers walk into the station. “They’re not in jail because they’re dead. Being a cop is a ticket to hell, Jack. Sometimes you have to see things people shouldn’t see. Anne Hernandez was killed in a home invasion. Two junkies were looking to stick up a drug dealer at home. But they got the wrong address. They tortured Anne for hours, trying to get her to give up where the dope was.” He snuffed out his cigarette and took out another. “It was one of the worst crime scenes I’ve ever seen. Once she was dead, they stole her car, took what money she had, and bought a load of heroin. We found them the next day—OD’d.” Clark cupped his hand around his cigarette as he lit it. “And Alex… he never went home again. His old house is right across the street from the maintenance building, but he won’t go there—won’t leave the park. He believes Anne’s still alive and had the baby. He thinks it’s his mission to stay and watch over them—from a distance. Recon.”

“But you don’t think he had anything to do with Stacy Shaw’s death? Even with his camp right there?”