We chatted about our lives during the meal and stayed away from the case. It was a much-needed break. He asked me more about my life in Fullbrooke.
In turn, I decided to learn more about him. He loved the metal bands of the 1990s—Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, White Zombie, and Ministry. In his free time, he enjoyed westerns and had a cowboy hat collection that he’d never showed anyone. I figured he was too scared to open himself up to people. I wondered what made him so closed off. He told me about his childhood. He was an only child and admitted he was spoiled by both parents.
Stein called in the middle of our eating. Fullbrooke police had rounded up all registered black pedophiles and sex offenders in town, locked the guys up and was interviewing them. An agent sat in on the questioning, checking to make sure that each man had an alibi for the dates the girls were kidnapped.
Alexander hung up with an annoyed expression. “The police are wasting their time and resources. Stein and I checked these men out when we first arrived.”
I finished munching on the last bite of my pork chop. “And the murders aren’t sexual in nature. They’re religious and ritualistic. This is just going to piss everyone off.”
“Apparently, Pastor Miller and his congregation are outside the police station now with signs.”
I let out a long breath, pulled out my phone, and checked the screen. “My mom’s been calling all day. It’s probably about that.”
“Did you talk to her yesterday?”
“I let her know when I arrived and that I would be at Saint Mary’s Inn. She promised to give me some space since I’m on official business.”
“Sheriff Michaelson believes we’re wasting our time on the religious angle, but he does like that the killer may be black.”
“I bet he does.” I set my fork down.
Chatter rose in the Tipsy Pig.
Alexander scanned the spot.
People now crowded the space wall-to-wall. Most either sat at the bar or gathered around the blues band, performing an upbeat song. Alexander turned his attention to our waitress. She moved through the crowd, chuckling with a few customers as she passed.
Alexander gestured in her direction. “Should we start questioning our waitress?”
“I don’t see the harm, but I don’t have much experience out in the field. I’ll follow your lead.”
Alexander smirked and was about to say something, but the waitress returned with our glasses of water.
She set the slices of pie on the table.
“Thank you. The food was delicious and the service excellent.” Alexander smiled at her. “What’s your name?”
“Madeline. People call me Maddy.”
Alexander took out his badge and showed her. “Would you sit down with us for a minute, Maddy? I have a few questions.”
Maddie parted her lips. Surprise flashed in her eyes. “You’re FBI?”
“We are.” I slid to the edge of the wall and gave her space to sit.
Looking around, Maddie lowered to my seat. “What. . .what could you want to know from me?”
“I’m wondering about some of the Tipsy Pig regulars.” Alexander put his badge away. “Can you think of a few?”
“There are a lot that come around all the time.”
“What about Sheriff Bran?” I asked.
Maddie frowned. “He’s here every night.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Just check the cameras.” Maddie pointed to the top of the bar. “You’ll see him in here drunk as ever and squeezing all of the waitresses’ butts.”
I spoke, “Who’s the owner of this place?”
“My father.”
Interesting.
Alexander leaned back in his chair. “Is your father here now?”
“No.” Maddie eyed him and then me. “Why? You want to see the cameras?”
“Perhaps.”
“Don’t you need a search warrant or something?” Maddie asked.
“We don’t need one if you decide to show us the footage.” Alexander tilted his head back and studied Maddie with those steady blue eyes. “We just want to make sure Sheriff Bran is where he says he is. That’s it. A real quick confirmation nothing more. Now. . .if I have to go and get a search warrant to check something so simple. . .then I’ll come back to look for more things.”
Maddie frowned. “I guess I could show you some of the videos.”
I asked, “How long does the footage go back for the bar camera?”
“A year. It’s on some sort of cloud thing on his computer.”
“You can get into it from here?” Alexander pulled his pie to him and grabbed his fork.
“I can, but I don’t want any problems for my father or the bar.” Maddie kept her attention on him. “We’re just a small-town spot.”
“I’m not looking for more than a confirmation on Sheriff Bran.” Alexander cut off a piece of pie. “When do you think will be a good time to show us?”
“Give me thirty minutes. The bar will be more crowded and even drunker.” Maddie pointed to the back. “When you see me go that way, take your time and meet me there. My father’s office is near the bathrooms. I would rather no one see you going into his office.”
“That’s fair.” Alexander ate a piece of pie. “We’ll see you then.”
She rolled her eyes and rose from the booth.
When she left, I pulled my pie to me. “Do you think we’ll get anything from the footage?”
“Probably not.”
I didn’t pick up my fork. “Do you think coming to Colesville might be a waste altogether?”
“I hope not.” Alexander ate another piece of pie. “One thing for sure. My stomach doesn’t think we’ve wasted our time.”
I tapped my fork and looked in the direction of the waitress. Maddie returned to the bar, getting more drinks and flashing a big smile at the bartender.
Alexander grabbed my attention. “Don’t stress. Enjoy the pie. It may be a long night.”
“Why do you say that?”
With his fork, he gestured to the space behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder.
Sheriff Bran arrived with two other men dressed in cop uniforms. They were probably his deputies. He pushed through the crowd like he owned the place, spotted us on the side, chuckled to himself, and gave Alexander a nod. A minute later, he sat at the bar with his men, talking to the bartender.
I ate my pie, checking my watch with every other bite.
When the time came, Alexander set his fork down. He’d destroyed the pie. Not one crumble or piece of pecan sat on the plate. He gazed at the empty plate for a few seconds as if he was thinking about licking the dish.
Meanwhile, I only had half of my slice. Nervousness hit my gut.
Alexander glanced at Sheriff Bran who was on his second beer. “You should head back first. Maddie already disappeared.”
“Okay.” I rose and headed that way. “I’ll see you there.”
Chapter 14
Candid Camera
Alexander
Goodness. How beautiful?
I loved to watch Haven walk away. It was a nice bottom—perfect under those fitted pants. But it wasn’t just her curves. Haven’s stroll included a tempting sway. Those hips whipped side to side, luring me forward.