The First Death (Columbia River, #4)(64)

“Do you remember anything else?” Evan asked, irked by the man’s refusal to accept any blame.

“Cops yelling at me. Flashing lights. Pain in my head and leg.”

“You just quietly laid there after hitting the car?” asked Noelle.

“Yep.”

Evan recalled the sergeant’s comment about Adam cursing out his ex as he rolled on the ground. “How often do you go to Rowan’s home?”

Adam hesitated, flushed, and adopted a confused expression. “Why would I go there?”

“You tell me.”

He looked away. “I’ve got no reason to go to Rowan’s home. Haven’t talked to her in years.”

“Interesting. She had an outside prowler the other morning. Her dog let her know. Same way he did yesterday at Ivy’s home.” Evan studied the man. “Thor’s a big dog, you know. She’s trained him to protect her.” The last was an exaggeration, but he wanted to plant a reason in Adam’s head to stay away from Rowan.

Adam appeared very interested in what was happening outside his window.

Evan made eye contact with Noelle. She gave a tiny nod and stood. She was done too.

“Hey. When am I getting out of here?” Adam asked as they reached his door.

“There’s a deputy in the hall, ready to transport you to the jail.”

“My head was banged pretty bad. Probably shouldn’t leave yet.”

“The doctor already signed off, saying you’ll be just fine,” said Noelle. She opened the door and left with Evan on her heels, both of them ignoring Adam’s protests.

In the hallway, she turned to Evan. “What do you think?”

“I think the only reason he was outside Ivy’s home was to hurt her somehow. Either by taking West or causing damage. I guess his drunken brain decided it was time for payback and this was a good way to do it.”

“I agree. Rowan had an intruder also?”

“No one was in the house. Thor acted out of character while looking outside the other day, and she said he did the exact same behavior last night.”

“Adam seemed flustered when you asked.”

“I noticed. I don’t think he’ll stop at Rowan’s again, but I’ll talk to both her and Ivy about security systems. I’ll ask if Ivy has one at their hair salon too. Adam seems like the type to strike out at whatever he can. Especially if he’s drunk.”

“I know the type.” Noelle squared her shoulders. “I need to get back to the cell phone records of Jillian Francis. I’m so glad we’ve pulled in the FBI on this—and I really like your friend Mercy. She’s kicking things into overdrive to get more hands and eyes on these cases. I’m trying to find a connection between Jillian’s and the other two girls’ calls and texts. Somehow these three crossed paths with the same man. I’m determined to figure it out.”

Resolve filled her features, and Evan believed she’d find it.

Evan checked the time. It was nearly noon. “I need to call Shannon Steward and ask if she knew that Ken visited Jerry Chiavo in prison.”

“Did you ask Rowan?”

He grimaced. “I didn’t. As far as I know, Jerry and Ken are connected through Rowan because of something that happened twenty-five years ago. It’s logical to ask her, but something feels off.”

“Feels off with Rowan?”

“Not exactly.” He pulled out the notepad he’d written on after talking with Jerry. “Look. She’s connected to all these cases in one way or another.”

Noelle studied the page, running her finger from Rowan’s name to each of the cases. “But her involvement isn’t deliberate—it’s just where life placed her. She was kidnapped and everything radiates from that . . . although I don’t believe in coincidences, and this is a lot of them, so I see what feels off to you.” She handed it back. “But if she’s in the middle of everything, you should ask her the questions. What’s holding you back?”

“I don’t like so many connections either. I’ve never come across this in a case before, and it’s making me hesitate. I feel like I’m missing something.”

“Talk to her. Maybe she holds our missing piece. If you don’t do it, I will.” She raised a brow at him.

He knew she would. He was being ridiculous. “I’ll call her after I talk to Shannon.”

“Gotta go.” Noelle lifted a hand at him and left, pausing ten steps later to greet a nurse she appeared to know.

Again Evan was glad Noelle was on his team. She sliced through things to see the heart of the matter. He took out his phone and snooped around for a quiet corner, ending up down the hall in a nook with three vending machines. He dialed Shannon Steward and eyed a bag of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips in a machine. A weakness of his.

Shannon answered, and Evan identified himself.

“What can I do for you, Detective?”

“I have a quick question. Did you know Ken visited Jerry Chiavo in prison?”

There was a long silence. “What?” she finally asked. “Ken did that? When?”

“Two weeks ago. I saw his name on the visitor log. He only visited the one time.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. I’m a bit shocked because I know he hates—hated the guy. I can’t think of why he’d go see him. Especially such a recent visit.”