I tried another tack. "Have you and Quinn had any luck working together?"
His voice brightened. "Yeah! Last night we ran a session on the little boy Betsy texted us about. I followed a woman who grabbed him at an amusement park and stuck with her to her car where a guy was in the driver's seat. I got all the vehicle information and full descriptions of the people. We let Julie call in the tip! She was scared to death to do it but she did great." I closed my eyes as I thought of a dozen questions about security breach. Then suddenly I thought of another matter entirely.
"Howie, did you turn off the power at your house?"
"No; I've got a full refrigerator. Why do you ask?"
I didn't answer and instead requested he have Quinn or Martha call me as soon as they get in. "I'm sorry Martha missed her aunt's service but flying on short notice is iffy," I added.
There was no way I was going to brief Howie on all that had happened, how his living room is covered in blood and his house has been ransacked; not in his present state of mind. I'd leave that up to his cousin Martha. When I finally put the phone down, I was exhausted. All parts of my body ached and the prescription I was taking caused my head to spin. Molly was all smiles, but disappointed in not being transferred to her mother when she realized I was speaking to California. I told her Julie was sleeping after a distressing funeral service. She seemed to understand and was off to walk Bumpus while I filled in Betsy on my conversation.
"So Howie doesn't know you were attacked and both Bryce brothers are dead," she said as a statement, followed by a sigh. "The saga continues," she added as she fluffed the sofa pillows and directed me to rest.
Keene, New Hampshire. I considered a stop at the office of these people but I was intelligent enough to see it was wired with a sophisticated security system that I shall not attempt to challenge. I'm more used to country property where doors and windows are left open, making my life oh so easy. While this Greenbriar Road property is not quite so inviting, a spring lock on a back door was no serious test. The home is in town with neighbors close by but the high wooden fence in the back yard allows privacy sufficient to cover my night time visit.
This is a lovely home so spacious and nicely decorated. Antiques abound. I have spent several long minutes creeping about in silence. I took my time to see what secrets I might glean from their abode.