A.L. Jambor - Where's Audrey? by A.L. Jambor Page B

had hurt a human being.
    “He killed a dog; that’s probable cause,” Conner said.
    “It’s animal cruelty, not murder.”
    “But the lady is missing, and the dog knew something.”
    “Conner, I admire your tenacity, but you don’t have a case here.”
    “The kid forged her name on the title to her home.”
    “So, we charge him with forgery. But we can’t, because you didn’t have a warrant.”
    Conner was fuming. He knew Jason Jr. had done something to Audrey Glenn. But there was no body or proof that a murder had taken place.
    “There is something you could check on,” Mark said. “He’s gonna be charged with animal cruelty. Talk to the state attorney about subpoenaing his bank records.”
    Conner smiled. “To check his income.”
    “If he offed the old lady, he probably didn’t tell Social Security.”
    “And that would involve the feds.”
    “At least you’d have probable cause to investigate. He’d have to produce Audrey Glenn.”
    “Okay. I’ll talk to the state attorney.”
    Conner would have to wait until Jason was charged before talking to them. Then he’d have to wait until he found out who’d been assigned the case. Animal Cruelty was a third-degree felony, but Jason might only be fined and given probation, not jailed. Conner wanted to pin his ass to the wall.
    He got into his cruiser. He was assigned to patrol Clearwater and so far, he’d spent most of his time investigating Audrey’s disappearance. He had to spend some time on the road.
    His phone rang. It was Mel.
    “Hey,” he said.
    “Did you get a call about Maurice?”
    “Yeah. How did you know about that?”
    “I found him. I had the old guy next door call you.”
    “Why didn’t you call?”
    “I was afraid I’d get arrested for trespassing.”
    Conner laughed. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
    “Did Jason do it?” she asked.
    “I’m sure he did, but animal control has to find out what killed him.”
    “Did anyone tell Marge?”
    Shit, Conner thought. “I don’t know. I didn’t see Ben go to her house. Maybe he figured I’d go and tell her.”
    “Can we go talk to Marge?”
    “Do you really think she’ll want to talk?”
    “I would if someone killed my dog. I’d want to tell the world who did it.”
    “Would she think it was Jason?”
    She was quiet for a few seconds. “I don’t know. I guess I would because of what we know about him.”
    “We don’t know enough about him,” Conner said. “What did Joe say last night? Something about Jason delivering water. I wonder where he worked.”
    “How many water companies are there that deliver water here?”
    “Not many. Shouldn’t be too hard to find. But I really have to work today. I’m supposed to be in Clearwater.”
    “I can go see Marge alone.”
    “You’ve got to ask her how Maurice got out alone.”
    “Okay. Anything else?”
    “If she knows of anyone who would want to hurt Maurice.”
    “I can do that. Are you off later on?”
    “At seven. Do you want to meet for dinner?”
    Her heart began to beat faster. She’d love to, but she hadn’t seen Lisa yet. “I was going to my friend’s place today. I’ll probably go out with her later.”
    “Oh.” Was that disappointment she heard? “Well, I’ll call you if I learn anything.”
    “Thanks, Conner.”
    After she hung up the phone, she fought the urge to call him back and say she would see him for dinner. She really had to visit Lisa. She went to her car and drove back to the park. The Mercury was there. She wondered why the cops hadn’t come to arrest him.
    She walked up the driveway of Marge’s home and knocked on the side door. Sharon answered.
    “May I speak to Marge?” Mel asked.
    “Sure, honey, come in.”
    “I need to tell you something,” Mel said softly. “They found Maurice’s body buried across the street.”
    Sharon’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
    “Who would do that?” she whispered.
    “It’s being investigated. I just wanted to ask Marge if