“He's always been creepy, controlling,” she said. “She left him because of that. But he wouldn’t’ give up. He still texted her, and he still watched her.”

“Do you have any evidence of that?” Gabe asked. He had been quiet through much of the conversation, but that didn’t surprise Ruby. It was becoming clearer and clearer that speaking to people wasn’t a part of the job that Gabe loved.

Maybe he could get away with that in the Pacific Northwest, but he was going to have to get used to it here.

“No, it’s just what Alannah told me,” Sylvia said. “Just a feeling.”

A feeling wasn’t evidence, but judging by the way Sylvia periodically looked nervously over her shoulder, the way she pulled her hat down low over her eyes, Ruby believed her fear.

“He was always watching those true crime shows,” Sylvia said. “He thinks he's an expert. I think he was planning this.”

“How so?” Ruby asked.

“I think he was having an affair,” Sylvia said. “He likes to show off. I think he thought Alannah was having an affair, too. I think he was planning on taking her out in a jealous rage.”

Ruby frowned.

“This is all conjecture,” Ruby said.

“He knew she liked the clubs in that area. He knew where she went. He followed her. He saw the perfect opportunity,” Sylvia said.

“So, you think that he…” Gabe said, trailing off, trying to make sure he understood her correctly.

“I think he killed her,” she said. “I don't know how, but I think he did it.”

Ruby looked at Sylvia for a long time.

“In my experience, it doesn't matter how,” Ruby said, finally. “It can be done without anyone realizing. Someone follows you to a spot and then waits. They kill you. Alannah did nothing to deserve what happened to her.”

Ruby cast a look around the park, borrowing from Sylvia’s paranoia. As far as she could see, there was no one lurking in the shadows of trees. There were just regular people passing them by, some stopping momentarily to enjoy the music floating over the river.

“I hope you're right,” Sylvia said. “I just know in my heart that he did it.”

“Do you know where he lives?” Gabe asked.

Sylvia shook her head, burying her face in her hands.

“He said that no matter what, he was going to make sure she was never happy again,” Sylvia said, her voice shaking. “He said he would kill her, then frame someone else for it.”

Ruby glanced at Gabe, who was jotting everything down. At least they had a promising lead now. All of this information gave them somewhere substantial to start.

“I'm sorry,” Ruby said. “I know how hard this must be for you.”

Sylvia wept, and Ruby gave her a moment, draping her hand on her shoulder.

“I just wish my sister was still alive,” Sylvia said, between sobs.