I checked the lot. My car was still there, Barb still inside it. I spotted the police evidence van at about the same time I spotted a black SUV with tinted windows idling in a faraway spot. I stopped to watch the car, not liking how close it was to mine. The back window was rolled down partway and a long camera lens stuck through the crack was aimed in my direction. Someone was taking an interest. Was it Felton spying for Stephen Ayers? Was it Ayers doing his own spying? Was it Darby? I flicked a look toward my car again, worried about Barb. The SUV was way too close.

I stood there and stared at the black car, giving whoever was inside a good, long look. Slowly the camera was drawn back, the window raised, and the car sped out of the lot and away. My heart racing, I managed to get just the first three numbers on the plate and a quick flash of a round decal in the rear window. It wasn’t much, but it was something. I’d follow up, but for now, I turned and jogged for the evidence van, hoping one of the evidence technicians was one I knew. I got a lucky break when I spotted Cleo Barker loading equipment into the back.

“Cleo, the best ET on the CPD.”

She turned, her chestnut hair tucked tightly under a CPD cap, and a digital camera hanging from a strap around her long neck. She smiled when she recognized me, her department windbreaker half-zipped against the morning chill.

“Detective Raines. Oops, I forgot. It’s PI Raines now, isn’t it? What’re you doing out here?”

Cleo also sported a schnauzer pendant dangling from a chain around her neck. She was into dogs, all kinds. She rescued them, found homes for them, and owned at least half a dozen of her own. No kids, no husband, just dogs.

“Working a case. You just processed the Safe Passage?”

She grinned, whistled appreciatively. “Is that some sweet setup, or what? Teak decks, all that brass. If I ever hit the lottery, I’m getting one of those, for absolute sure.”

“Marta tells me the place was tossed around good.”

She rolled her eyes, made a face. “Was it! Stuff was everywhere. Sad, really. It’s kind of like taking an axe to the Mona Lisa.”

I pointed to her camera. It was police property, the photos on it, evidence. I had no right to any of it. In fact, even touching it got me in hot water. Still, I hoped Cleo would be a pal. I smiled sweetly. “Mind if I take a look?”

She drew back, clutched the camera, shielding it as though it was one of her fur babies and I was trying to snatch it from her bosom. “Are you kidding? You know I can’t do that.”