Cold Case at Carlton's Canyon

“And I need to interview each of the groomsmen,” Justin added.

Mumbled questions and protests sounded.

One of the groomsmen, Lance, scowled, his arms crossed. “You think one of us had something to do with her disappearance?”

“That’s not what we’re implying,” Amanda cut in. “But you might be able to help in some way. You do want to find Kelly, don’t you?”

Heads nodded, everyone piping up with yeses.

Amanda gestured toward Betty. “Why don’t you come with me first? It’ll only take a few minutes.” She glanced at Justin. “You can use my deputy’s office to interview the men.”

Justin pointed to Raymond. “Come on, Fisher. There are a couple of things I need to ask you.”

He looked sullen and nervous, but he followed Justin without a word. The moment Justin shut the door, the man turned on him.

“What else can I tell you? I don’t know who would send me and Kelly that text. And I sure as hell don’t know anyone who’d want to hurt her.”

“Mr. Fisher,” Justin said calmly. “You mentioned that Kelly’s ex wanted to get back with her. I’m going to question him as soon as I leave here. But Sheriff Blair pointed out another possibility.”

He hesitated, giving the man a moment to gather himself. “Do you have any ex-girlfriends that were unhappy about your upcoming wedding? Maybe a woman who wanted to get back with you? Or...one who wanted to get revenge against you for some reason?”

Fisher lapsed into a stunned silence for a moment, then dropped into a chair. “I don’t think so...I mean...”

“What? There’s something you remember?”

Fisher wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “I did break up with my old high school girlfriend to date Kelly our senior year,” he said. “But that was ages ago. Renee wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kelly because of it. She’s probably already moved on.”

Justin gritted his teeth. “Where does she live?”

“Some small town north of here.” He drummed his fingers on his knee, thinking.

“What else?”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “She chaired the committee to set up the high school reunion.”

“So she knew you were coming back for the reunion and to get married. Perhaps facing old friends as a single woman while you two were together pushed her buttons?”

“I suppose it’s possible,” Raymond said, but he didn’t sound convinced. “Although I just can’t imagine it.”

Justin shoved a pad toward him. “Write down her contact information. You do have it, don’t you?”

A sliver of guilt streaked the man’s face. “Yes, but only because of the reunion.”

“Right.” Justin watched him scribble the woman’s name and number, wondering if she could have kidnapped Kelly out of jealousy.

Now they had two feasible suspects, Kelly’s ex-boyfriend and Raymond’s ex-girlfriend.

His cell phone buzzed, and he checked the number. The ME.

“Excuse me,” he told Fisher. “I have to take this. You can go now.”

Fisher looked wary as he rose. “You want one of the other guys sent in?”

Justin nodded. “Send Lance Stephens in.” He’d start with the guy who’d protested. Maybe he had a reason to avoid questions.

His phone buzzed again, and he hit Connect. “Sergeant Thorpe.”

“It’s Dr. Sagebrush. We have an ID on the body from the creek.”

Justin held his breath. “Her name?”

“Tina Grimes.”

“Cause of death?”

“As we first thought—strangulation,” Dr. Sagebrush said.

“Any sign of sexual assault?”

“No, she wasn’t raped,” Dr. Sagebrush said. “But there’s something else that I noticed, too. I don’t know if it’s important, but her high school class ring was clenched in her hand.”

Justin frowned. What did that mean? That she’d hung on to it as the perpetrator killed her?

Or had the perp put it in her hand as part of his signature?

* * *

THE YEARBOOK ANNUALS were all laid out in a row on the top of the dresser. All the high school students from Sunset Mesa, four years’ worth of girls who’d finished their high school degrees and gone on to plan their futures.

They were successful, married, had babies of their own. One had even become a reporter who covered human-interest stories.

Ironic since the little witch had no sense of humanity.

Flipping the pages brought a sea of females who had to be punished.

Amanda Blair’s photograph stood out. She wore her softball uniform and was grinning from ear to ear after Canyon High won a game. Amanda had been a star player.

She’d also abandoned one of her friends, someone who’d needed her.

And she would have to be punished for that.

But there were others that had to be dealt with first. So many others...

Who would receive their penance next?

Chapter Six

Amanda had interviewed two of the bridesmaids and had two more to go. According to Betty and Anise, Kelly adored Raymond, couldn’t wait until the wedding and had intentionally planned the ceremony the week after the reunion so more of her former classmates could attend.