Free Liars, Cheaters & Thieves by L. J. Sellers

be moving that weekend. She’d asked if he was moving in with Kera, and he’d said no and changed the subject. Her surge of joy at the news made her realize she wasn’t over him. She’d been dating an Internal Affairs detective for a couple of months and really liked him, but she’d realized a while back that she loved Jackson. Maybe she always would.
    Turning right on East Thirty-Ninth, she found an odd chunk of Dillard Road that was separate from the rest, and moments later, she located the Sawyers’ address. Tall evergreens surroundedthe two-story cedar-plank house, and the roof was dotted with skylights that weren’t doing much good among the trees. A stylish sixty-something woman with shoulder-length gray hair opened the door. She looked as if she’d been crying.
    Evans introduced herself and asked to speak with Cody.
    “Is this about Rafel?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m Susan Sawyer, Cody’s mother. He’s in his room. I’ll go get him.”
    She came back, followed by a pretty-faced, wiry man who looked younger than his thirty years. His green eyes were bloodshot with spent tears.
    Evans introduced herself again, and Sawyer responded with a handshake. His grip was weak, but he was grieving, so she tried not to judge him. “Let’s sit down someplace private.” She didn’t want the mother hovering. If Sawyer still lived at home at thirty, his parents were likely overprotective.
    He led her through a perfectly appointed and unused living room into a den in the back of the house. The dark room had thick carpet, soft recliners, and a giant flat-screen TV.
    Evans pulled up a footstool to sit on. “You heard the news about Rafel?”
    Sawyer nodded. “Sierra called me.”
    “How long had you known Rafel?”
    “Since grade school in Junction City.”
    “What about Sierra? Did you know her well?”
    He shook his head. “I only met Sierra after her and Rafel got together.”
    “How did they meet?”
    “At the animal clinic where she works.” He pulled in a deep breath. “Sierra said Rafel was killed with a knife. Do you have any idea why?”
    “I was hoping you could tell me.”
    He shook his head. “No idea. Rafel didn’t have a lot of friends, but the people he knew loved him.”
    “Did he have any enemies?”
    “Not that I know of.”
    Time to jolt him. “What about the guy Sierra was cheating with?”
    “What are you talking about?” His voice seemed surprised, but his eyes didn’t.
    “Last night in the tavern, Rafel accused his wife of cheating. Did he ever talk about it with you?”
    “I knew he was worried.” Sawyer smiled a little. “Have you met Sierra? Guys come on to her all the time. It made Rafel a little paranoid.”
    “What about you? Did you come on to her?”
    “No.” His forehead furrowed with distress. “I have my own girlfriend.”
    “What time did you arrive at Pete’s Pad last night?”
    “Around a quarter to nine.”
    “What made you show up?”
    “I figured Rafel and Jake were there, and I was bored.”
    “What time did you leave?”
    “Around nine thirty.”
    “Why such a short visit?”
    “Rafel was being weird. Then Sierra showed up, and they argued, so I left.” He looked down, as if ashamed of his friends.
    “What did they argue about?”
    “The usual. Whether she was cheating. Rafel couldn’t let go of the idea.”
    “Was she?”
    “I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t know.”
    “Where were you between ten and eleven last night?”
    Startled by the question, his voice squeaked. “Right here in this chair, watching a movie.”
    “What movie?”
    “ Inception . It’s my favorite.”
    “Can anyone verify that?”
    “My parents went to bed, but they knew I was home.”
    “Tell me about yourself, Cody. Where do you work? And why do you live at home at the age of thirty?” Evans knew it was blunt, but someone had to ask him.
    His jaw tightened, and shame and anger flashed across his face. “I was a successful real estate agent with Windemere. My