Charlie set his jaw. “Is there anything I can get you? Some water? Coffee or a soda?”

“Do you have cappuccino?” Ms. Carson pulled a lipstick tube and mirror from her purse, seemingly undisturbed by the fact he hadn’t answered her question.

“Just black. Sugar and cream is available.”

“Water is fine.” Jolene glared at her mother.

“Yes, water is fine.” Ms. Carson pressed her lips together.

Charlie rose from the table and opened the door to find Sheriff Huggins and Deputy Wilson waiting outside the room. Wilson held a forensics kit and two bottles of water. Jolene and her mother rose from their seats and followed the team of deputies to the parking lot. Sheriff Huggins fell in step at the rear. They stopped in front of the white Camry from the video. Jolene unlocked the door and shrank back behind her mom.

“Deputy Lynch.” Wilson motioned him over to the front of the car.

The right headlight was broken and a huge dent marred the right front bumper and part of the hood. Charlie kneeled down to get a closer look. There were a few brown spots.

“Blood?” Wilson said under his breath as he opened the kit. “Autopsy report said Sydney was hit by something before being stabbed. Maybe a car.”

“Test it.”

Another deputy searched the inside of the car while Wilson rubbed a cotton swab along one of the brown spots.

“What’s he doing?” Jolene unfolded herself out of her mother’s shadow. “What’s he putting on my car?”

“What happened to your car?” Charlie exchanged a pointed look with Sheriff Huggins, who joined Wilson at the front of the vehicle.

“What?” Jolene’s eyes flashed. “I, uh, I hit a deer.”

“When?”

“Um, a couple of weeks ago. Is he taking pictures of my car? I thought you were looking for Sydney’s phone,” Jolene said, her voice squeaking.

“Did you report the accident to your insurance company?”

“Why?” Jolene wrinkled her brow.

“We need to verify the date of the accident.”

“It was a couple of weeks ago.” Ms. Carson shaded her eyes with her hand. “I can’t remember the exact day, but she came home very upset. The car was a gift from her father. We only have liability coverage.”

Wilson whispered something to Sheriff Huggins. The steadfast lawman gave an almost imperceptible nod and stepped forward.

“Ms. Carson, we tested a spot on the car and it came back positive for blood—”

“She just told you she hit a deer.” Ms. Carson stalked to the front of the car. “It’s probably deer blood.”

“We need to impound the car and have our experts run tests on it.”

“What? No! I need my car.” Jolene paced in front of her car. “It’s my blood. After I hit the deer, I checked to see the damage and cut my finger on the broken glass.”