Harley considered. I dont know. Five-six?

And the victim, Lisa?

Five-five. She knew that number for certain because she had read it in the file.

So they were about the same size, Callaway concluded.

Id say thats accurate.

Callaway gestured at the ledge. Do you really think Candy could have carried Lisa up that?

Harley studied the shelf, frowning. I admit it would be challenging for a woman of her size… She bit her lip. Maybe Lisa climbed up on her own, then Candy tied her up afterward.

Callaway nodded, playing along. Okay. Wheres the flashlight?

In her mouth?

And the gun?

Harley frowned again. I guess she puts it away. Maybe threatens Lisa first, tells Lisa to lie face-down when she gets up there, then kneels on her and binds her limbs.

Possible, Callaway agreed, but problematic. Youre assuming Lisa is docile throughout this. She could easily run off while Candy is climbing up behind her, or turn and try to get the gun from Candy while shes pulling herself up. Its not as if Lisa would have had any uncertainty about what was coming.

She was drunk, remember?

Callaway wiggled his hand side-to-side. Mildly intoxicated. Lisa wasnt much of a drinker.

Harley mentally cycled through the details of the case. Years of working in the Bureau had trained her memory well.

The drugs, then, she suggested. We dont know when they might have worn off.

If she was high, how would she make the climb in the first place? And if she can climb, she can fight or run.

Theres also the possibility she was too terrified to do anything.

Callaway nodded again. Maybe. But just like your gut tells you Candy is hiding something, my gut tells me shes not the killer. She could be working with the killer, sure, but shes not doing this all on her own.

Harley thought back to an earlier conversation with Callaway. That brings us back to the boyfriend angle.

Callaway shrugged. If she has one. She doesnt seem the type to get that invested in a relationship, though.

That your gut talking again?

More like personal experience, he answered.

Harley moved toward the shelf, accidentally stepping on one of the broken boards as she did so. As it shifted, she heard a strange noise like rice shaken in a can. She looked down to see a mottled gray snake coiled among the boards like a length of nautical rope. Its angular head slowly rose, its tongue flicking to taste the air.

Callaway? Harley whispered, her throat suddenly dry. The snake was less than a foot away from her leg.

Looks like youve got a western diamondback there, Callaway murmured as he crept closer. Real dangerous creature. He stooped and, moving slowly, lifted a nail-studded board out of the dust.

Please dont tell me youre going to hit it with that, Harley whispered, hardly moving her mouth as she kept her eyes on the snake.