Yes, she had seen Gavin leave Martin Keller’s back door.
Yes, his shirt appeared stained.
Yes, he looked “agitated.”
No, she had not seen anyone else near the house.
No, she had not spoken with anyone that night.
Mitchell reread the last answer twice.
No, she had not spoken with anyone that night.
Chloe’s voice returned to him.
Mrs. Avery and a man.
He had a bird on his hand.
Mitchell closed the file.
Across town, Amelia sat in a coffee shop with a retired detective named Samuel Ortiz.
Ortiz had been part of the original investigation, though not the lead. He was in his sixties now, with silver hair and careful eyes. He had agreed to meet only because Amelia had mentioned Lyle Danton’s name.
“I don’t like being dragged into old cases,” Ortiz said.
“I don’t like innocent people being nearly executed,” Amelia replied.
