Her Second Death (Bree Taggert #0.5) (10)

“Can you make a list of people Lena sees on a regular basis? Her teacher, her doctor, anyone who interacts with her frequently. Also, are there any new people in her life?”

“No one new.” Kelly turned away. “I’ll make a list of the rest.”

Bree left the little girl’s room. She could still hear Romano and Marty on the back patio. She walked through the house and went out the front door. On the sidewalk, she turned and stared at the block. She spotted Mrs. Lawrence looking out her own window. Bree turned to the neighbor on the other side of Kelly’s unit and knocked. The light was on.

The man who opened the door wore pajama bottoms, day-old stubble, and dark circles under his eyes. “Sorry. I work nights.” He rubbed his eyes.

Bree showed him her badge and explained that Lena was missing.

“That’s terrible. She’s a cute little thing. Quiet.”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

The bridge of his nose wrinkled. “A couple of days ago. I work nights at the hospital as an orderly. I usually get home around nine in the morning.”

“Did you hear Mr. and Mrs. Tyson fighting recently?”

He rolled his eyes. “Like every time he comes over here. I wish she’d just divorce him already.”

“When did you hear them fighting last?” Bree asked.

“Last night.”

Bree straightened. “Do you mean yesterday morning?”

“No. It was definitely last night. I was getting ready to leave for work. It was after eleven. Closer to midnight.”

“Did you hear what they were fighting about?”

He shook his head. “I went to work.”

“And you’re sure it was James?”

“Yep. His blue beater was parked at the curb. Can’t miss it, with that huge dent in the front fender.”

“Thank you.” Bree left the stoop. If James was at the house last night, then Kelly was lying. She marched back to the Tyson house. Bree went inside, looking for her partner.

Kelly had lied about when she’d last seen James. If he’d been here last night around midnight, where was Lena? Where was she now?

From the hall, Bree spotted Romano and Marty still on the patio. She glanced into Lena’s room and saw Kelly smoothing the bed comforter. When she heard Bree enter the room, she froze. Their eyes met.

And the pieces began falling into place.

“I have a little sister.” Bree gestured toward the stuffed elephant on the bed. “When she was young, she took a stuffed rabbit with her everywhere. I mean everywhere. It used to sit on the closed toilet when she took a bath. She wouldn’t let that thing out of her sight.”

“Lena is like that with her elephant. Marty bought it for her at the zoo.”

Then the answer to Bree’s doubts dinged in her head like a fucking bell.

If Lena had packed for her normal weekly trip to her father’s house, why hadn’t she brought her elephant?

Kelly’s eyes went cold, and Bree knew in her bones that Kelly had shot James. Why was Lena’s elephant here on her bed, when she had supposedly been at her father’s place for her normal visit? Why would Kelly lie about when she’d last seen James and when she’d fought with him? Innocent people rarely lied about critical information. James had been at Kelly’s house just before he’d been murdered.

Do you know who lies in a murder investigation? Killers.

But who killed James and why wasn’t the most important question at that moment.

Bree narrowed her eyes at Kelly. “Where is Lena?”

“I don’t know.” Kelly’s gaze sharpened. “You’re supposed to find her.”

“You lied about when you last saw James. He was here last night just before midnight. Where is Lena, Kelly?” Bree took a step forward.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kelly inched backward.

“Don’t you?” Bree pushed.

“No.” Kelly stood and brushed past her, leaving the bedroom. “Why would you think James was here last night?”

Bree followed her into the hallway. “Your neighbor saw him,” Bree lied. Saw was an overstatement, but whatever. “He heard you fighting.”

Kelly turned, a gun in her hand. “Don’t move.”

Fuck.

No wonder they hadn’t found the gun. It had been on Kelly’s person the whole time.

Bree’s hand inched toward her own weapon. “What are you doing, Kelly? Drop the gun. You can’t get away.”

Kelly’s eyes darted to the back door. Romano and Marty were still on the patio. Was Kelly going to try to run? Without her daughter? Unless she knew where Lena was . . .

“Where is Lena?” Bree asked.

“I don’t know!” Kelly shouted. “You were supposed to find her, but the whole police department is so fucking stupid, they can’t find one five-year-old.”

“What happened, Kelly? Why did you kill him?”

“I didn’t say I did.” Kelly put her back to the wall.

Bree gave her a Look. “Give it up, Kelly. I know.”

“I didn’t mean to do it.” Kelly’s eyes narrowed with hate. “But I don’t feel bad. He wanted to take Lena away from me. He said if I wanted a divorce, he’d go for full custody. Said he wasn’t paying child support. No fucking way. He’d take Lena and the money I get from the state. If I fought him for the money, he’d kill me.”