“No, they know what they’re doing. I notified Cory, and he’s checking if other vehicles or plates in the region have been reported stolen. He also told me they’ve moved Mrs. Finch and her son to her sister’s in Fredericksburg.”

Ethel nodded her approval, even though Mancini couldn’t see her. “Better to take the extra precaution.”

“It’s more than that. When Cory’s agent accompanied Mrs. Finch, her son, and her sister back to the house, they discovered it had been broken into and searched.”

Ethel and Jesse exchanged worried glances.

“Anything taken?” she asked.

“She doesn’t think so. Cory said it looked like they were after some paperwork. Finch’s home office was tossed, as were the bedroom and kitchen drawers.”

“The boy’s bedroom?”

“He didn’t say one way or the other.” Mancini paused a beat, and then a wariness crept into his voice. “Is there a reason you think the boy’s room would be searched?”

“I was concerned about the effect on Davie. It would be traumatic enough seeing the rest of the house turned upside down, let alone his own room.”

“Cory made no mention of the boy’s reaction, but he was only summarizing what his agent reported.”

“Thank you, Frank.”

“It’s a two-way street, Ethel. I expect reciprocity.”

“Sometimes I can only point you in the direction the street’s headed.”

“Like the autopsy and the brain tumor.”

“So, you got the complete report. I couldn’t tell you because I’d made a promise to Susan Finch, and she’d made a promise to her husband. It was terminal and he’d refused treatment. That might have led him to take chances on his own without endangering others. He didn’t care if he died in the line of duty.”

Mancini was silent a moment. Then he said, “All right, I appreciate what you did. I’m not sure how it affects my case.”

“It could shed light on why Jonathan acted as he did and stirred something up that cost him his life. But I suspect that’s a line of inquiry Cory will keep for himself. Now, you were going to give me copies of the crime-scene photos of where Jesse was knocked out yesterday. Can you scan and email?”

“Yes. Sorry I didn’t ask earlier, Jesse, but how are you feeling?”

“Good, sir. A little tender where I was struck.”

“You were lucky. The blow was well placed. My guess is you were also lucky you didn’t see your assailant.”

Jesse paled. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

Ethel kept her eyes on the road but angled her body toward the phone. “Back to the stolen car… Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“You mean about logistics?”