I lean forward. “Remember how Jay thought someone was going through his room?”

Nods from both.

“So first, that explains the need for the locker. In fact, he sent that text to Tripp on October thirteenth and rented the locker the next day.” I point to the call sheet.

Slower nods this time, not at all seeing where I’m going with this.

“But we never knew what—if anything—went missing that night. And based on the texts, I don’t think Jay did either. He just had a sense that things were out of place, maybe thought someone knew about his second phone, which is why he hid it.”

Oliver sips his coffee. Teddy finishes off his muffin.

“But what if that’s the night someone stole his car keys?”

Oliver snorts. “You don’t think he’d notice—?”

“Why would he? He didn’t need to drive anywhere. His BMW wouldn’t have been the pick for tailgates. He didn’t need groceries, wouldn’t have paid to park on campus when he could walk or take the bus. And—” I take a breath. I’ve missed this so much. Working a case. Examining all the pieces, seeing how they fit. I feel almost delirious with happiness. “—whoever took Jay’s keys might have swiped his driver’s license that night, too.”

Oliver sits back and spins his paper cup between his fingers.

“Why?” he asks. “It’s not like the guy could keep driving the car after he killed Jay. We’ve got everyone looking for it. And if he was pulled over, showing a dead man’s license wouldn’t get him anywhere.”

“He might not have thought it through when he took it.”

“Maybe.” Oliver sneaks a look at his watch under his sleeve.

Teddy studies the folder and all the pieces of paper. “We’re going to have to talk to the brothers again.”

“And Katie,” I add.

There’s an uncomfortable silence. Oliver stuffs a napkin into his empty coffee cup. Teddy glances down at his hands before he turns to me.

“Thanks, Marlitt.”

“Really, I don’t know how you—” Oliver says, all congratulatory, thinking I’m waiting for praise or something.

Teddy breaks in before I can tell Oliver what to do with his empty compliments. “We’ll check this out, but Truman—”

I grimace. My cheeks feel hot.

“Yeah,” I say, shoving the folder and phone toward him. “I know.”

Teddy uses the remaining napkins in lieu of gloves to slip the folder and phone into his bag. “We’ll give it all we got.”

The “we” feels like a slap, but Teddy stands, and Oliver is already walking away. At the door, Teddy turns like he might say something but gives a short wave instead.

Thirteen

Friday, December 6, 4:00 P.M.