“I have no idea if they have uncovered DNA at Claire’s scene. I’m talking about the earlier murder. Your DNA and the victims’. Like I said, no reason to compare them. Not unless you’re a private investigator, studying the files, searching for a connection, any connection ...”

His expression said he knew exactly what I was getting at, but he wasn’t about to admit it. Enough beating around the bush, then.

“Are you aware that you’re Genevieve Thompson’s father?” I asked.

He tried to look shocked, then struggled for surprised, and finally settled for uncomfortable. “I ... suspected I might be,” he finally said. “But Paula never confirmed it.”

“Did you ask her?”

“Well, no ...” He straightened, folding his hands on the desk. “Clearly she didn’t think I was a suitable father for her child or she would have told me herself. As much as that pains me, I decided it was best to abide by her wishes.”

“That’s very noble of you. And, for the record, you’re right. She’d like you to stay away from Kayla, too. I’m sure you have no interest in letting your girls here know you’re a granddaddy, but if you tell anyone, I’ll share your Santeria secret. You and I know it’s just a religion, but to folks in Columbus, it would mean you’re running a voodoo cult up here.”

He fixed me with a look that said he’d decided he didn’t like me after all. Didn’t like me one bit.

“Did you have any contact with Ginny?” I asked.

“No.”

“Brandi?”

“No.”

“To your knowledge, did either of them ever come up to the house?”

“No.”

“To your knowledge, did Claire have any contact with Cody Radu?”

He opened his mouth, then stopped himself, maybe realizing how unseemly it would be to tattle on the other guy vying for prime suspect spot.

“You may want to speak to Megan about that,” he said.

“I will.”

twenty-eight

A lastair was eager enough to get rid of me that he didn’t escort me to the door, which meant I could sneak over to the kitchen and check out the situation there.

If Adam was charming the girls, I didn’t want to interfere. So I slipped into the dining room with a blur spell, then exchanged it for a cover one when I could see the kitchen through the doorway. Adam was leaning against the counter, milk glass in one hand, cookie in the other, crumbs flying as he told a story about our last white-water rafting trip. I noticed he conveniently left out the part where he steered us under a waterfall, trying to get me soaked, and ended up getting drenched himself instead, courtesy of a fast knockback spell.

Planted right in front of him, staring up like a daisy at the sun, was Vee. While he glanced at the other girls as he talked, he kept most of his attention on her. I hadn’t thought to tell him that she’d approached me. He was just damned good at reading people. He’d even tailored the story to her, I realized, as she started asking questions about his gear and his favorite spots, and giving him suggestions.

As Adam talked, he glanced at the dining room doorway enough times for me to wonder whether my cover spell had failed. When I heard Megan’s footsteps in the hall, I stepped forward. Adam glanced up, eyes meeting mine, and he grinned broadly enough to earn me scowls from the girls.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said. “I’m all done. I’ll head outside. Whenever you’re ready—”

“Right behind you,” he said. Then to the girls, his voice filled with regret, “The boss calls, and I think yours is about to.”

On cue, Megan stepped into the kitchen.

Adam turned his grin on her. “Sorry about that. They’re all yours.”

He thanked them for the cookies. I thanked Megan for letting me speak to Alastair. Then we were off. When we reached the Jeep, I glanced back to see Vee on the porch, watching us go.

“Score,” I murmured.

Adam tossed me the keys, then jogged back across the yard, gaze on the ground, as if he didn’t see Vee there. Near the porch, he reached down, scooping up some imaginary item he’d dropped, then saw her and gave a start.

“Hey, there,” he said. “I was just thinking, I should have asked you about Gray River. Someone mentioned it was great rafting. Ever tried it?”

She came down off the porch to talk to him as I started the Jeep. I revved the engine, in case Vee was worried I’d overhear. They chatted for a while—long enough for me to get warm and put down the top.

“I feel so cheap,” Adam said as he climbed into the passenger side.

“You love it.” I put the Jeep in drive and rolled out of the yard. “That was probably the best reception you’ve had in years. Surprising, too. There’s some stiff competition in this town. Cookie Cult Al. Sleaze-ball Cody. And Pickup Dude.”

“Pickup Dude?”

I nodded toward the familiar pickup roaring toward us, muffler clattering. The driver waggled his tongue at me, yellow teeth flashing.

“It’s close,” I said. “But you get my vote.”

“So do you want to know what Vee said? Or would you rather keep insulting me?”

“Just keeping that ego of yours in check. It’s a full-time job.”

“I know what that’s like,” he said with an arch look my way.

I swerved over just as agarden sprinkler arced our way. Adam swore and ducked, but didn’t quite make it. As I veered back onto the road, he ran his hands through his hair, shaking his head, water flecking the dash.

“I’m sure there’s a brush in the glove box,” I said.

“Yeah, yours.” He settled for finger-combing his hair, then settled back in his seat.

“So what’d Vee say?” I asked.

He glanced over, brows lifting.

After a moment, I sighed. “Okay, I apologize. Now, please, what did she say?”

“Well, she was a little late to the party. Megan sent her looking for the new girl, who seems to be hiding out. Can’t blame her. That Alastair guy is seriously creepy.”

“Agreed. Now, about Vee ...”

“She was late joining the others, meaning she walked past the office when you were interviewing the old guy. She heard him tell you that Ginny and Brandi had never come to the house.”