She realized that just seeing him brought color to her cheeks. She lowered her head as she gave Rollo permission to rush off and greet him. When he joined the group, Logan filled him in on their latest thoughts.
They walked out of the graveyard and went to the costume and makeup area. Mo felt Aidan behind her, his hand on her back, and knew that she was enraptured by him. She didn’t want to dwell on what had happened—on death or murder or Sleepy Hollow. She didn’t want to think about the future.
She just wanted the night to come.
“The costume was ours,” Ron announced. “Unless someone else took home a grim reaper outfit last night. Whoever did this knew how to sneak in here when I was out among the guests, and he knew how to slip out with what he wanted. There’s a slouch hat missing, too. He wasn’t just familiar with this place, but with everyone’s schedule and habits and exactly how the show ran.”
Van Camp had been on the phone, but now he approached them. “It’s an SUV we’re looking for. A dark SUV. Harry Pickford—the kid who plays the mad doctor—was one of the last people out. He was waving to some friends in the parking lot and saw an actor in a grim reaper getup leave in a dark SUV.”
“And he didn’t mention that at the meeting?” Aidan asked, aggravated.
“He didn’t think about it, he says. And that’s because he was sure whoever waved back at him was one of his friends,” Van Camp said. “So we’ll get our people searching the county DMV records for registered dark SUVs. That’s a whole lot more specific than just any van or SUV. It could be our first real break.”
“Gina finished with one of their forensic searches,” Aidan said. “The tire track they got was for a new brand—Horsepower. The problem is, it’s become popular, and hundreds, maybe thousands, have been sold in this area. Harry Pickford didn’t happen to get a make or model, did he?”
“No,” Van Camp said. “No such luck. We’ll keep talking to other employees and try to get it narrowed down.”
“Let’s call it a night,” Logan suggested. “We’ll start fresh in the morning. Will Chan can find just about anything as far as a record goes. We’ll let his computer do the walking for a while.”
“What about us?” Grace asked. “Are we...safe?”
“I’ll follow you all home,” Logan said.
“Just follow us to Grace’s house.” Ron shivered. “We’ll stay together.”
“I’m going to the hotel. I’ll relieve Jimmy for a while,” Van Camp said. “He’s been sitting with Debbie Howell and the kid for a long time. I’ll take over. I know they’re on the same floor as you FBI guys, but it’s scary for the poor kid. His mother murdered—and the father he didn’t even know killed at the same time. There’s some serious therapy ahead for that kid.”
“The detective is watching Debbie Howell?” Phil said. “No hardship in that!”
“Hey, when did you last see Debbie Howell?” Grace asked him.
Phil flushed. “Some of us go to strip clubs. So what?”
“She was kind of a dorky kid—but she sure turned out pretty. And she has a great body,” Grace said.
“Debbie is okay.” Mo immediately defended her. “There’s nothing wrong with what she’s doing, either. She’s a wonderful dancer and she was making an honest living. Anyway,” she added, “Debbie quit that job.”
Grace laughed. “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. But Debbie Howell’s always been kind of on the outside. You know, the kind who tries too hard. She was never really popular and always hung around on the edges. Sort of pathetic.”
“Grace, don’t judge,” Mo snapped.
“And let’s not stand around talking about her,” Aidan said. “Sleep has been sadly lacking in our circles lately. Let’s lock this place up and get some rest.”
Mo was eager to leave. She was sure that Aidan was just as eager to get to the house as she was.
No one commented on the fact that she and Rollo got into his car. It had come to be expected by his Krewe that they’d be together, she thought.
And yet, as soon as they were on their way, he said, “There has to be a connection.”
“A connection?”
“Between Sondra and Richard and Wendy,” he said.
“You don’t think Sondra was killed just to get suspicion off Jillian Durfey?”
“No. I considered it but I’ve ruled it out. Because I don’t think Jillian was guilty. I tend to think it was Branch—and yet Richard was his whole career.” Aidan sighed tiredly. “Maybe I’m completely wrong. I don’t know. I’m just frustrated. By all accounts, Wendy Appleby was a very private person. But I believe that someone knew she was going to see Richard. Maybe that person even knew the codes to get into the center.” He looked at her. “Tell me if you can think of any possible connections between Sondra and Richard and Wendy. Any idea at all would be great.”