Free The Green-Eyed Doll by Jerrie Alexander Page B

with a handsome man before she moved on would be okay. Maybe someday she’d tell him, and maybe he’d ask her to stay.
    She wanted to run. She wanted to stay. She wanted to find peace.
    She could dream, couldn’t she?

Chapter Six
    Wednesday, August 2nd, 10:20 a.m.
    Regardless of the situation, Rey’s appearance was immaculate. Black hair, black eyes, and a snow-white smile, women liked talking to him. Matt counted on Rey’s familiarity with Julia Drummond and Tanya Perry to keep the questions relaxed. The plan had worked until Rey pushed her to dig deeper into her memory.
    Rey plopped a box of tissues in front of Tanya. “Did Julia mention someone she’d met at the Saddleback making her uncomfortable?”
    “No.” She wiped tears from her cheeks and finger combed her short brown hair. “I don’t know what else to tell you. I’m sorry.”
    “Why didn’t you tell us you two hung out at the bar the first time we talked?” Matt watched her expression closely. He couldn’t understand why she’d kept their visits to the bar a secret.
    “I didn’t think it was important.” Her gasp was audible. “You think she met the killer at the Saddleback?” Tanya fidgeted, opened and closed the snap on her purse.
    “I don’t know.” Matt pushed a legal pad across to her and laid a pen on top. “Write down the names of any of the men she talked with, danced with, anyone at all. Deputy Santos will stay with you until you’re finished.”
    Matt paused at the door. “You’re sure Julia didn’t mention having a secret admirer?”
    “Yes.”
    “No surprise gifts from a secret pal?”
    “No. Why?”
    “She ever mention receiving unwanted pictures?”
    “She would’ve told me.”
    “Thanks for coming down.”
    He believed her. A mixture of relief and disappointment swamped him. He wanted to believe the killer hadn’t targeted Catherine. But if the gifts came from someone else, Matt was looking for two men. He wasn’t ready to buy into that yet. He walked to Sue’s desk. “Did you contact the newspapers and TV station?”
    “You asked me to.” Her raised eyebrows and tilted head indicated he’d asked a stupid question. “Just be sure you’re here at two this afternoon. You don’t want them quoting my opinion of the murdering bastard.”
    “Sue.” He choked on a chuckle. “You surprise me. I’ll have to keep an eye on you.”
    “I’m the least of your worries. Your message post is full.” She narrowed her eyes and glared. “Half of them are from Harold Fletcher. Don’t throw them in the trash this time.”
    Matt stood next to Sue’s desk and presented her with his best smile. “Do I have to talk to him? Couldn’t you put him off?”
    “I’ve put him off for two days. He wants to know your plan to catch the killer.” Her eyes lit up with mischief. “I could tell him you went fishing.”
    “I’ll call him later.” Matt went back to his desk and called Julia Drummond’s parents. They deserved to know about the press conference before the interview aired. He pushed his way through the conversation, then leaned back to sort through the stack of messages. Rey knocked on the door jamb right before Matt picked up the phone to call Curry’s mayor.
    “Got a minute?” Rey waggled the legal pad in his hand. “I’ve got the list from Tanya. I can split it up. We’ll work faster if we don’t crisscross each other’s paths.”
    “Good idea. Sit down, let’s take a look.” Matt recognized a few of the names. Most of them meant nothing to him. Of course, JC and Vince, those names he recognized. “Are you friends or acquaintances with any of the guys?”
    “Yeah. I know most of them, call a few of them friends. Why don’t you let Jake and me look? We’ll come back with the list prioritized and divided three ways.”
    “Do that. I need to call Mayor Fletcher and then make a run to the square.”
    Sue spoke from the doorway. “No need calling Harold. He’s coming down the hall now. You’ve