If I Should Die_ A Novel of Suspense - Allison Brennan [81]
“No description?”
“No—it was almost dark. They walked two doors down from Weddle’s and got into a dark truck.”
Noah asked, “Do they have an estimated time of death?”
“The deputy coroner is the same idiot Lucy and I dealt with at the mine. He’s not making any speculations. Patrick said the water messes with the timeline, but Weddle arrived home at six last night; he could have been killed anytime after.”
“What water?” Lucy asked.
“After being tortured, the killers moved Weddle to the shower, where they slit his throat.”
“To destroy evidence,” Lucy said. “If the killers suspect their hair or blood or saliva might have gotten on the victim, the best way to contaminate it would be to drench it in bleach or water.”
“The body looked like it was exsanguinated. There was blood all over the bathroom—ceiling and walls. Some had been washed away by the water. The floor and hall were drenched.”
Sean continued, “Dillard is tied up at Weddle’s house, and Patrick and I are about to head to the prison to talk to Swain.”
Noah said, “Can you send me Dillard’s contact information? I’m going to want to talk to him.”
“Sending it to your phone.”
“Anything on Jimmy Benson?” Lucy asked. “Did they find his body?”
“No word yet,” Sean said. “Weddle’s murder is the big news, but I’ll remind Dillard to call when he hears back from the divers.”
Noah said, “Ask if he pulled Benson’s cell phone records yet.”
“Damn, I should have thought of it.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Noah said, making Sean laugh.
Lucy relaxed. She had hoped that Noah and Sean could become, if not best buddies, at least friendly. Sometimes she felt as though she was walking on eggshells between her boyfriend and her trainer.
“How’s my plane?” Sean asked.
“Still working. Keep me in the loop.”
“You do the same.” Sean hung up.
Noah drove into FBI Headquarters, showed the security guard his credentials, then parked. When they entered the building, they were greeted by ASAC Brian Candela himself.
Candela was in his midforties, with a conservative haircut and impeccable dark gray suit, even though it was Saturday. Lucy felt underdressed in her jeans and thin white sweater, even though she wore a blazer with it. Noah wasn’t in a suit and tie, though he still looked sharp in khakis and a button-down shirt.
“Noah Armstrong?” Candela extended his hand. “Good to finally meet you.”
“Finally?” Noah shook Candela’s hand.
“You’re Noah Armstrong, lieutenant, one of the original Ravens.”
“You did your homework.”
Candela shook his head. “My son is a Raven. Just finished training at Fort Dix. You’re a legend among the recruits.”
Noah laughed. Lucy glanced at him, startled. Had she heard Noah laugh before? She grinned.
“I doubt that, but I did write one of the manuals they’re forced to study.” He introduced Lucy. “Lucy Kincaid, agent-in-training. She’s working with me until she heads to Quantico in August.”
Candela sobered immediately. “Ms. Kincaid, thank you for coming. As I’m sure you know, learning Agent Sheffield is dead has been tough on all of us, even though we didn’t expect to find her alive.” He gestured for them to follow. “Everyone is in the conference room.”
Lucy hesitated. “Mr. Candela, I need to show you something first.” She handed him the photograph of Jon Callahan and the blonde who may in fact be Agent Sheffield.
“Where did you get this?”
“The uncle of Jon Callahan,” she gestured to the man in the picture, “gave it to Sean Rogan, the private investigator. We think the woman he’s with is Agent Sheffield, but since it’s only her in profile, we weren’t certain.”
“Who is this Callahan?”
Noah said, “He’s an attorney in Montreal who lives in Spruce Lake and owns a lot property in and around