Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7), Kaylie Hunter [guided reading books TXT] 📗

I mean, I’m not an idiot. It’s been over five years. Some instinct keeps screaming at me not to give up looking for her, though.”

“Damn. This box is heavy,” Wayne said, carrying the box into the conference room and setting it on the table.

Blake stood and opened the box. “I’ve run backgrounds and interviews on almost everyone in that town.” He started stacking the thick notebooks and files on the table. “I interviewed every man, woman, and child who lived on that street and the two cross streets. My old lieutenant said it was the obsession that kept me on traffic patrol. He was right, but don’t tell him that, because he was an ass.”

“Before we dig through this mess,” I said, tapping my pencil on the table. “Were you at your aunt’s the day Allie went missing?”

“No. I was at the army recruiter’s office, enlisting. I found out later that night that Allie was missing. I have a file on myself too.” He pulled a file from the middle and slid it toward me.

I passed it to Tech. “When was the last time you saw Allie?”

“The day before. I was at my aunt’s when she and Kristyn were riding their bikes. They stopped to talk. Allie was excited that school was about to start the following week. She kept making a point that she’d be a sophomore. I kept reminding her that I graduated high school already. They left when my aunt called me in for lunch.”

“Anything stand out about either of them? Did they seem scared or angry about anything?”

“Nothing. I’ve racked my brain a thousand times, but they both seemed their normal selves. I don’t recall seeing or hearing anything out of the ordinary.”

I nodded and pulled the stacks of files toward me. I sorted out the names I had scheduled for interviews and flipped through them. Blake had interviewed all of them and verified their alibis. “If you went into the service, how did you have time to do all this research?”

“For three years, I stayed alive so that when I got state-side again, I could find out what happened to her. I filled a notebook with everyone’s names and addresses. I started working the case while I was in the police academy and continued during my off time.”

“Anyone you haven’t eliminated?” I asked as I closed another file.

“Everyone was cleared. It couldn’t have been someone who lived there. I also checked for criminal records on anyone related to someone who lived on those roads. Nada.”

“What about Kristyn’s uncle?”

“I don’t know who that is, but as I said, I didn’t find any criminal relatives,” Blake said, shaking his head.

“You didn’t interview Milo Sprigston then?” Tech asked, standing.

“No. Who is he?”

“Probably no one,” I said, nodding to Tech. “We’ll check it out.” I pulled my phone and texted Trigger to change direction and head toward Lafayette instead of Indianapolis. “Thanks for the help,” I said to Blake. “I’d appreciate it if you left your files in here. They might be useful to us.”

I started heading toward the door, but Blake stepped in my path. “Don’t shut me out. Please. This case has haunted me.”

I glanced over at Wayne. He had a worried expression as he watched Blake.

“Give Tech and me some time,” I said to Blake. “I’ve only had the case for an hour. You’ve had it for five years. I’ll let you know if we find anything.”

Blake was about to argue, but Wayne put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him out of my path. I left the conference room and returned to the war room.

“Tech, I need everything you’ve got on Blake.”

“He gave us his file. It shows he was in the army recruitment’s office.”

I looked at Tech. Bridget looked up at Tech. Beth looked up at Tech.

“Okay!” Tech answered our silent mocking. “It’s probably not the best idea to use the evidence provided by the person who needs the alibi.”

“You think?” I said before handing Carl the folder. “Carl, can you get access to the army’s records and check Blake’s application file? You don’t need to get into their main system, just the recruiter’s office.”

“Is that a good idea?” Beth asked.

“One of us watches him to make sure he doesn’t do anything like re-enlist Donovan,” Bridget said as she walked over and watched over Carl’s shoulder.

“That would be funny,” Carl said, typing on his computer.

I pointed a finger at Carl. “I doubt you’ll think it’s funny when we turn you over to the army as punishment.”

Only his eyes moved up to see if I was serious. His smile fell when he realized I was.

Reggie, who was playing a game again on his phone, sighed dramatically. “I’m bored.”

“Good. Do you know Blake Foster?”

Reggie nodded. “I’ve met him. I know Wild Card has worked a few jobs with him.”

“Go hang out with him. Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“Stupid how?”

“Like drive to Indiana stupid.”

“I can do that,” Reggie said, pushing his chair away from the table.

I focused on the background research Tech was sending me for both Blake and Milo. After about twenty minutes, Blake seemed to check out. His military career was average, never trying to achieve greatness which made sense if he was anxious to return home. His career as a cop was short, barely over a year of service before he was shot. Donovan hired him around the time my family was hiding in Texas last year. Since it was before we had a formal training program, Donovan had kept him mostly assigned to two-man teams, working with the more seasoned guards. All his evaluations came back that he was doing a good job and took protection jobs seriously.

Milo, on the other hand, was an odd duck. He lived in a