Trail of Evidence

“Yes, I’m fine, thanks.” Jonas’s jaw worked. She could see he was touched at his son’s concern. “The house isn’t so fine, but we are.” He explained what happened and that they would have to stay at his office until the insurance company could give an appraisal on the damage. “But I’ve got friends in high places. We’ll get it taken care of pretty fast.”

Felix looked dazed. “So who are you again?” he asked her. Finally something other than defiance on his face.

“I’m Brooke Clark. I work for a law enforcement organization called the Capitol K-9 Unit.” Felix’s eyes flicked toward Mercy, who sat under the table, her head the only part of her body poking out. Brooke answered his silent question. “Mercy and I are partners. Your dad called us last night after the break-in.”

“Why you?”

“I found this.” Jonas pulled the phone from his pocket and slid it across the table.

Felix’s eyes went wide, and he clamped his lips together.

Brooke’s senses tingled. “Where did you get it?” she asked him.

Felix crossed his arms and looked away, the defiance back in spades. Jonas gave a huff of frustration. “Tell me, Felix. This is important. A picture of a dead woman is on this phone, and we need to know what you know.”

Felix swallowed and a flash of fear crossed his face, but he refused to comment. Jonas’s face began to darken, and his eyes turned thunderous. Brooke laid a hand on his arm. He sat back, and she could tell he was putting good effort into gaining control of his temper. “Felix, do you mind if I tell you a story?”

He jerked and shot her a confused look. “About?”

“About a little boy who no longer has a mother.”

Felix’s fist tightened around his glass and for a moment Brooke wondered if he was going to pick it up and throw it. “Sure,” he gritted. “What about him?”

“About two months ago, a woman named Rosa Gomez was killed. Even though it hasn’t been proved to be murder yet, we believe she was pushed off the cliffs at President’s Park. She had a little boy who’s only two years old. The good thing is that Rosa had a sister named Lana. Lana now has custody of little Juan, but losing his mother shouldn’t have happened. We want to catch the person who took her away from him.”

Felix flicked a glance at his father. “He doesn’t have a dad either?”

“Not one that wants to be in the picture,” Brooke said. “At least that’s the impression we’ve gotten so far since no one has come forward to say he’s the father.”

Felix took a swig of his drink, then set the glass back on the table with a thunk. The waitress delivered the food and a lull rose. Jonas thanked the woman, who nodded and left.

“Do you mind if I say the blessing?” Brooke asked.

“No, go ahead,” Jonas said. Felix looked a little uncomfortable, but didn’t protest.

Brooke prayed over the food and asked God to continue to keep them safe. They ate in silence for the next few minutes. “What’s going to happen to him, to Juan?” Felix asked.

“Right now, he’s with his aunt, so he’s being taken care of, but his mom is gone and we want to find who killed her so he doesn’t have to grow up wondering.” Felix looked ready to burst into tears, but Brooke hoped her words would get the boy to tell them what he knew. She didn’t like being so manipulative, but every word she spoke was true. “We’ve tracked down every lead we could get, but lately, it seems the trail has grown cold. Until now. Until your dad called to tell me about the phone. This is a huge deal for us, Felix. Would you please tell us what you know about the phone?”