The last item was in a Ziploc bag. Jessie didn’t open it as she could see inside it clearly. It held some kind of torn white cloth, maybe a ripped-off section of a scarf or kerchief. In one corner of the material was a red stain. It was hard to tell what it was—maybe lipstick, possibly blood.

She was leaning in to get a closer look when she heard a floorboard creak off to her right. Before she could react, a loud voice shouted at her.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was Matilda.

She stood at the entrance of the room, scowling and red-faced. Her whole body seemed to be vibrating with fury. Jessie glanced at her hands quickly and saw, to her relief, that they were empty.

“I was looking for a bathroom,” Jessie said in what she hoped was a calming voice as she stood up, still ready for any sudden moves.

“In here?” Matilda demanded, still looking ready to pounce.

“I got turned around,” Jessie explained. “Did you know about this room?”

“No. But maybe that’s because I don’t go snooping around my boss’s house—because it’s rude.”

“Like I said,” Jessie repeated with a consciously offhand demeanor, “I got a bit lost. It’s a big house, Matilda, as you know.”

“You need to get out of here!”

“You bet,” Jessie agreed. “Let’s head back down together so I don’t get lost again.”

“You can go on your own. I’m closing this up.”

“I don’t think so,” Jessie said shortly.

“What?”

“We’re going down together,” Jessie announced, spreading her feet shoulder-length apart and flexing her fingers in anticipation of having to use them.

Matilda looked equally flummoxed and furious.

“You don’t get to order me—”

“I’m afraid I do,” Jessie cut her off. “I work with the Los Angeles Police Department and this room is potential evidence in a crime investigation. So I won’t be leaving you alone in it. We are going downstairs together. That can happen with you walking in front of me, leading the way in a hospitable manner. Or I can cuff you and drag you back. Your call, Matilda.”

For a second, the younger woman looked like she wanted to deck Jessie. But before she could react, someone behind her spoke.

“Everyone okay in here?” Murph asked, stepping into view. His tone was casual but Jessie could see that he was tense with anticipation.

“This woman is invading my boss’s private space!” Matilda griped.

Murph nodded understandingly.

“She can be a bit intrusive,” he said soothingly. “Why don’t we all go downstairs and work it out together.”

Matilda continued to stare angrily at Jessie. But after a few moments she seemed to regain her senses. She gave one last dirty look, then spun on her heel and muttered, “Follow me.”

Once downstairs, Jessie headed right for Collison, who was still sitting on the couch, happily chatting with Dolan. She stomped toward him and stopped inches from his face.