“I just received a call from Dot Andrews, Casey Andrews’s mother.” She spent the next several minutes detailing what she had learned.

“Thompson’s Market on Sixth Street?” A chair squeaked in the background, followed by a rustle of paper.

“Someone should talk to him about Casey and also Tammy Fox, who worked at the store,” she said. “I can do it. I’ll Uber to his store.”

“I’ll do it,” he said quickly. “Do not go to his shop or engage. Understood?”

“I know how to handle myself.”

He swore. “Jordan, no. I’ll talk to him.”

It made sense. Spencer did not know Rawlings, and he might get a more objective read on him. “Sure. Fine.”

“Are you doing all right?”

“Never better. You?” she quipped.

He chuckled softly. “That’s the spirit. I’ll be in touch.”

“Roger.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Friday, April 23

2:30 p.m.

Spencer strode into the grocery store on Sixth Street. He showed his badge to the cashier and asked to speak to the owner or manager. The boy, wide eyed, nodded quickly and hustled to the back of the store.

Seconds later a midsize man came toward him. Spencer introduced himself and discovered he was speaking to Rawlings.

“What can I do for you?” Rawlings asked.

Spencer showed him a picture of Casey Andrews. “Do you remember this woman?”

“Sure. She applied for a job here.”

“She’s been missing over a week, and we’ve been trying to find her.”

“I haven’t seen her since I gave her the application. She seemed really excited about the job and said she would bring it back in a day or two. She never showed. That happens sometimes. Kids get a better offer and don’t circle back to close the loop on another job possibility.”

“How many times did she come into the store?”

“Just the once. She was motivated and ready to get to work.”

“Anything strike you as odd about her?”

“Nothing.”

“You also employed a young woman by the name of Tammy Fox.”

“That’s right. Worked here about two months. She quit and took a job in a bar.”

“Did you know her before she started working here?”

“She was recommended to me by her drug counselor. Said she was worth taking a chance on.”

“Who was the counselor?”

“Rogan Malone. He runs several meetings near here each week. And for the record, I go to meetings as well.”

“When’s the last time you saw Ms. Fox?”

“Whenever she left. Six months ago.”

“Did you ever know a Laura Davis?” He showed him a picture.

“No. Should I?”

“Not necessarily.”

“What’s all this about? Do I need an attorney?”

“Tammy’s dead and Casey’s missing.”

Rawlings ran his hand over his head. “I didn’t have anything to do with that.”

“That’s what I’m trying to determine.”

“I might give my attorney a call after all.”