Maniacal: A Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Book 1 by C.M. Sutter Page A

copies back here from every angle of the parking lot. Round up Billy and Todd on your way and get them in here to go over the footage. If we’re going to do this by her last known whereabouts, then the strip mall belongs to the city. They may want to take the lead. We’ll take the city limits out into the county jurisdiction, where their residence is, if we have to. I’m fine with that. Either way, call the police department and give them a heads-up. We aren’t going to make this an active case yet unless something looks suspicious on the video feed.”
    “Got it, boss.”
    “Okay, Perry, what year, make, model, and color is Elise’s car?”
    “It’s a white 2014 Chevy Malibu sedan. I can’t think of the plate number right now, I’m too frazzled.”
    “Jack, can you pull up her DMV records and get the tag number?”
    “Yep, no problem.” He had his pen ready to write it down.
    “How’s the marriage, Perry? Anything hinky going on, like affairs, dishonesty, or financial problems? Have you fought recently?”
    He buried his face in his hands. “No, of course not! Our marriage is perfect. We have two great kids. I love my wife, Sergeant Monroe. We love each other.”
    I glanced at Jack and gave him a concerned look. Perry finished the map of the route Elise usually took home and handed it to me. I excused myself and went out front to talk to dispatch.
    “Jan, I need you to get this out.” I handed her the sheet of paper.
    She put on her reading glasses and looked it over.
    “I want you to have a few deputies check out this route. Call North Bend Police Department and have someone meet Clayton at the strip mall. We’re looking for a white 2014 Malibu sedan. Get the tag number from Jack. He’s checking on it right now. The car could be broken down along the road or possibly in a parking lot at a hotel, restaurant, or business. Run the gamut. Get some eyes out there and keep me posted. It isn’t officially a missing person’s case yet, but with the crap that went down earlier in the week, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Chapter 12
    By ten o’clock, Clayton had checked back in. He and Detective Don Miller from the police department looked over several tapes from Pegasus Greek Diner next door to the yoga studio. Nothing appeared unusual or suspicious. The video time stamp showed Elise climbing into her car at 9:17. By the time she exited the parking lot, six empty cars were in front of the restaurant, and another had just driven away. Clayton said the videos showed her pulling out of the parking lot in the direction she would take to go home. No other car followed hers. They viewed several tapes from different angles of the parking lot, including the back lot where the Dumpsters were located, but nothing seemed amiss.
    “The business owners made us several video copies, Jade. They gave me and the police department a stick to review the footage on our own. I’m going to take it down to tech. If anyone can catch something we didn’t see, it’s Todd and Billy. They’re the best when it comes to fine details.”
    “Okay, go ahead and get them downstairs. Get me a list of all the businesses along her route home that have camera surveillance. I want to see her car pass by every one of them until there aren’t any more businesses. Let the city boys know that too,” I said.
    “I’m on it, boss.”
    I entered the small cafeteria where Perry sat alone. I took a seat next to him.
    “Can I get you something from the vending machine, or more coffee?”
    “No, thanks. Sergeant Monroe, I saw the article in the newspaper a few days ago about the man who was found at Cedar Lake. He was murdered, wasn’t he?”
    “Perry, it’s an ongoing investigation. I’m not at liberty to discuss it with you. You read what the media wrote just like everyone else.”
    “What if—”
    “Let’s hold on for a bit,” I interrupted. “When was the last time you tried calling Elise?”
    “Five minutes ago. Still goes