“Sir, I’m not looking for a donation. I’m calling because you had your vehicle serviced at Garage on Division this past week. Is that correct?”

“Yeah.”

“According to the records I’ve reviewed, sir, I believe you took your car in some time on Tuesday and then it was finished on Wednesday.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t crazy about that.”

“What time did you pick up your vehicle on Wednesday, sir?”

“Shortly after they called me. My wife dropped me off.”

“Do you recall the time?” A.L. asked.

“It was shortly before 9:00 because I heard the nine o’clock news on my way home. I remember because I had to change the station back to the one I always listen to. Don’t know why they have to change your radio station when you’re getting a brake job.”

“Do you recall, sir, who was in the office area when you paid for your vehicle?”

“I didn’t go to the office. When Cory called me and told me the vehicle was done, I asked for the total. Told him that I would bring him a check. Then I wrote my check and drove to the garage. Cory was working in one of the bays. I gave the check to him. He marked Paid on the invoice and gave me a copy of it.”

“Do you recall seeing anybody else at the garage?”

“I saw that Pete guy but I don’t care for him so I cut a wide path around him.”

“No one else? Not Troy Whitman, the owner?”

“Nope. Didn’t see Troy. I like Troy. I’d have chatted with him a few minutes if he’d have been there.”

But Harvey Pointe had not gone to the office.

“Thank you, sir, you’ve been very helpful,” A.L. said.

“Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t hang up on you.”

A.L. dialed J.A. Shepherd, not knowing if it was a male or female. But a woman answered. She sounded young.

“Hello.”

“Ms. Shepherd?”

“Yes.”

“This is Detective McKittridge with the Baywood Police Department. I was hoping to ask you a few questions about a visit you made to Garage on Division this past week.”

“Uh...okay. I’m at work, though. I just have a few minutes.”

“Where do you work?”

“Baywood Memorial,” she said. “I’m a nurse in the emergency department.”

Kara’s Wiese’s husband was a nurse in that same emergency room. “I’ll be brief,” he said. “I have information that says your vehicle was serviced on Wednesday. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Do you recall what time you dropped off your vehicle?”

“Before my shift started. So probably about 6:30.”

“Was there anyone at Garage on Division at that time?” A.L. asked, already getting a bad feeling that J.A. Shepherd wasn’t going to be any help.

“No. They have a lock box for your keys.”

“What time did you pick it up?”