Free Lucky Thirteen by Janet Taylor-Perry Page B

his hand and politely introduced himself. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Detective Raiford Reynolds, and this is my partner, Agent Christine Milovich. It’s come to my attention in the last few days that I resemble your neighbor.”
    “No,” the woman countered. “You look just like him. I’m Carol Johnson, and this is my daughter, Sheena.”
    Ray patted the little girl on the head . “Hi. I’m sorry I’m not your friend.” He turned back to Carol. “We are, however, looking for Mr. Gautier. What can you tell us about him?”
    “Is he in some kind of trouble?” asked Mrs. Johnson with a dubious expression.
    “We’re not sure yet. We need to talk to him though.”
    “I find it hard to believe Ray Gautier could be in any kind of trouble .” Mrs. Johnson shook her head. “He’s a very nice man. He lives alone and is very quiet.”
    Ray asked, “Are you familiar with his friends or family?”
    “Not really. I never met his family. Some Fridays he goes out, but he never has company unless a courier delivers something to his house. He’s an architect.”
    “Would you call him a loner?”
    “He’s not antisocial, just quiet. Last C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S he built a D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E for S-A-N-T-A.” She glanced down at her daughter who looked about three. “My husband’s in Iraq, and Ray has been great helping with Sheena.”
    “What about his background?” Chris asked.
    “ He had a rough Christmas season himself. His mother who lived in Lake Charles died unexpectedly shortly after Christmas. He took it pretty hard.”
    “Of course,” Chris said. “How did that affect his demeanor?”
    “ He acted a little strange sometimes after that, but I didn’t think much of it, considering his loss. He mentioned she was the only family he had.”
    “Right .” Ray noted Chris writing in a notepad when he couldn’t since he was holding the computer.
    “So he has no family?” Ray asked for confirmation.
    “He had a sister . He said Sheena reminded him of his little sister who had been killed in a car accident many years ago.”
    “ Did you visit with him frequently?”
    “Our conversations usually took place out here . I’ve only been in his house once to see the blueprints for”—Carol stretched her eyes wide so as not to give away a secret to the child who looked back and forth among the adults—“He was very respectful about my being a married woman, almost old-fashioned. The only time he ever came into my house was to put together you-know-what. I offered him some eggnog, but he declined. He said he took medication that didn’t mix well with alcohol.”
    “When did you last see him?”
    “About two weeks ago. He left one morning, and I haven’t seen him since. When he left, it was strange that he wasn’t dressed nice like he usually dresses. He had on jeans and a sweatshirt. He usually wears suits and ties when he goes to work unless he’s going to a construction site; then, he wears jeans and a sport shirt. The only time he wears sweats or warm-ups is cool evenings when he jogs.”
    “So, would you say he’s in good physical shape?” Chris questioned.
    “Great shape. I know he’s run in a couple of charity marathons.”
    “Did you ever hear him talking to himself or overhear any conversations with someone else?” asked Chris.
    Sheena piped up, “Mr. Ray told me sometimes he hears things other people don’t hear . He said it was his music to create. I miss Mr. Ray. He brings me treats home from work.”
    “Yes, he does, Reese’s bars,” confirmed Carol.
    “Well, thank you,” Ray said as he fumbled to hand Mrs. Johnson his card. “If you think of anything that might help us find him or if he comes home, please, call me.”
    Carol called after them, “Officers, should I keep my L-O-A-D-E-D G-U-N handy?”
    “Can’t hurt,” Ray said with a curt nod.
     
    ♣♣♣
    Ray and Chris took the bagged items and Ray Gautier’s computer to the police lab, and Ray started back out the door rather