“Stella.”
She turned to see Brody leaning into the doorway. He dropped into a chair and stared at the whiteboard. “What’s happening?”
She gave him a rundown on Noah Spivak’s arrest. “Did you verify Adam Miller’s alibi?”
“Sort of.” Brody frowned. “His client verified that they talked in the parking lot before leaving the club. He refused to sign an official statement because he isn’t sure of the amount of time involved.”
“So Adam has a weak alibi.”
“The client was nervous. I’m going to keep working on it. I’m still working my way through interviewing the waitstaff, valets, and caddies at the golf course. A background check on the client is pending.”
Stella made a note on the board. “Unless you break Adam’s alibi, Spivak is our only suspect. For now. We really need a search warrant for his parents’ house and his car. To get that, we have to establish a link between him and our victims.” Being at the church wasn’t enough.
“But there’s something that bothers you about him as a suspect.”
“Missy wasn’t sexually assaulted. If Spivak tortured and killed her, there would have been a sexual component to the murder.”
“Then we keep looking for other suspects,” Brody said. “I found something interesting in Lyle Jones’s background check.”
“Dena’s physical therapist?” Stella asked. “I thought we checked his record.”
“He’s clean in New York,” Brody nodded. “But he has two old assault charges on his record in New Jersey from four and five years ago.”
Stella found Lyle’s picture and pinned it to the bottom of the board. “He’s a long shot, but maybe we should take a closer look at him.”
Brody leaned forward. “When were you going to tell me about the photo you received this morning?”
“I haven’t seen you all day, and the chief wants it kept quiet.”
“You should have told me immediately,” Brody said.
“I told Horner.”
Brody huffed.
“I know. I’m sorry. I should have called you,” she admitted. He was right. She’d gotten caught up in the investigation, but her own safety had to be a priority, whether or not she liked it.
Brody pointed. “Promise me you won’t let it happen again.”
“All right.” Stella moved to stand in front of the two photos of the Green crime scene where they hung on the board, side by side. “Why would Missy’s killer want me to see the scene? Forensics couldn’t lift any prints from the envelope or photo.”
Brody’s gaze fixed on the pictures. “He posed her carefully, and he wanted you to see that. She wasn’t discovered for a day and a half. Her body position changed, either from the wind or animals. But what bothers me is that he sent it directly to you.”
Stella lifted a shoulder. “He probably saw me on the news.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I don’t like it either, but there isn’t anything I can do about it.” Though Stella wished she could avoid the media, dealing with them was part of the job, especially when her boss kept shoving her in front of the cameras to prove he was an equal opportunity employer.
“I’m following you home.”
“I was going to finish my notes first.”
“Well, now you’re not.” Brody stood, his posture stiff.
“You’re right.” Stella packed up her briefcase. “I can finish at home. And thank you.”
“I’m saying this both as your superior and your friend.” Brody escorted her to her car. “You are to take backup with you everywhere. Me, Lance, Mac, someone. I don’t even want you walking to your mailbox alone. You are to take zero chances. Whoever killed Missy Green has singled you out for special attention.”
Chapter Nineteen
The air was sticky and hot as Mac climbed into Stella’s cruiser late Friday morning. Her charcoal slacks and white blouse were all business, as was the weapon at her hip. But she’d have to wear a Sumo wrestler costume to cover those curves.
She turned to hand him a take-out cup of coffee.
“Thanks.” He fastened his seat belt and took a long sip. Sleep hadn’t come easily the night before. The insomnia had nothing to do with his wound. As the ER doc had promised, pain wasn’t keeping him up at night. At worst, his stitches itched. It was thoughts of death that invaded Mac’s dreams. A woman lying on a dark road. Cheryl, Lee, and the Colonel all made special appearances until Mac woke sad and frustrated. He couldn’t even escape his grief in sleep.