“I didn’t spot any suspicious cuts or bruises on his arms or legs that might indicate that he was in a struggle,” Eve said.

“Yeah, it was real nice of him to wear a tank top and shorts so we could see that.”

“It’s what grips wear,” she said. “They do a lot of work outdoors.”

“It was also mighty convenient that he was on an out-of-town shoot while somebody was getting killed in his house.”

She was going to argue that, technically, they didn’t know that anybody was dead, but then she remembered what Nan said.

People died here.

“You think he’s responsible,” Eve said.

“The fucking gentlemen usually are.”

CHAPTER SIX

The Lost Hills sheriff’s station was on Agoura Road, which ran alongside the southern edge of the 101 freeway and straddled the dividing line between the small cities of Agoura and Calabasas.

Eve led Jared down the hall to one of the interrogation rooms. “Can I get you a Coke or something, Mr. Rawlins?”

“Yeah, a Coke would be good, and a Snickers or Milky Way if you’ve got it. I’m starving.”

“I’ll see what we’ve got.” She pulled out a seat at the table for him. “Make yourself comfortable and we’ll be right back.”

Eve stepped out of the room, leaving the door open, and joined Duncan in the hallway, out of Jared’s sight and earshot.

“You interview him,” Duncan said. “I’ll check his alibi.”

“Sure,” Eve said. The two of them headed for the squad room and they nearly collided with Captain Moffett.

He was in his forties and wore his uniform with so much starch that Eve imagined it was like wearing cardboard. The rigidity suited his personality. He’d recently replaced a captain who was fired for sexually harassing a female deputy, who’d since quit and filed a $2 million lawsuit against the department.

“I was just about to call you,” Moffett said to Duncan. “CSU asked for additional resources to process the crime scene you’re working. They’ve never seen so much Goddamn blood.”

“Neither have I, Captain,” Duncan said.

It went without saying that Eve hadn’t, either, not that the captain cared. He ignored her, which had been his standard approach to her since the day he’d paired her with Duncan.

“Is there anything you need?” Moffett asked Duncan.

“A search party and some dogs to check out the woods around the house for bodies.”

“Let’s put a hold on search parties for now,” Moffett said. “It will draw too much attention and sends the wrong message.”

“Which is what, sir?” Eve said.

Moffett nailed her with a hard stare. “That the family is dead and we don’t know shit.” He shifted his gaze back to Duncan. “Keep me updated.”

The captain walked away. Duncan shook his head at Eve.

“Congratulations, I think you scored some big points by questioning his orders.”

“I just want to understand his reasoning.”

“You don’t need to,” Duncan said. “Your job is to salute and obey.”

“That’s not it,” she said. “He doesn’t like me because I was forced on him.”