“In a minute. But I wanted to talk to you about Detective Young.”

He rolled his eyes.

“You said he wasn’t forthcoming, but you talked to the public information officer, correct?”

“Yes, got the party line. I learned more in the media reports than I did from FPD.”

“I want to talk to him. You have good information, and I want to see if he’ll share why they are so hung up on Joseph Abernathy as the killer. You also had a clip from the director of Sunrise Center. Do you think she would call in?”

“Maybe. I can reach out to her. She said to call her if I needed anything.”

“Good. You do that, I’ll talk first to Young, then Rachel Wagner, and we’ll touch base tonight. But be careful. You’re asking questions that might upset someone, and that someone killed Candace. If not Abernathy, then the murderer could still be around and listening. Watch your back, Lucas.”

Seventeen

The Flagstaff Police Department was housed on the opposite end of the same large government building as the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Even though she hadn’t been there since she’d left home after college nearly fourteen years ago, Regan knew the building well. It hadn’t changed much. She expected there would be plenty of new faces, but the first one she saw was familiar and friendly.

“Regan Merritt, as I live and breathe,” said the guard as she entered the building.

“Since when do you work for the PD?” she asked Raul Ramirez, who’d been a deputy who worked under her father when John was sheriff.

“Since my heart attack two years ago,” he said. “Lateral move. Flagstaff needed a desk sergeant, I qualified, no patrol. The chief and the new sheriff worked it out, and I appreciate it. I still have eighteen months before I can retire with full benefits.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Growing old isn’t fun,” he said. “Though, I’ll admit I do like the regular hours and more time to play with my grandkids. Amber had six kids, can you believe that?” Raul had one daughter, she remembered. She was a few years older than Regan.

“Six? Wow! Good for you.”

He laughed. “She barely remembers what day it is, but Josh has a good job so she’s able to stay home until the youngest starts school. Makes it tight on them financially, but we gave them the house a few years back, and my bride and I moved into a town house on the golf course. No maintenance, no stress, and a much smaller place to keep clean.”

Raul had been married for at least forty years and always called his wife his bride. It was endearing.

“How can I help you this afternoon?”

“I’m here to see Detective Steven Young. Is he in?”

“I believe so. He’ll want to know what it’s regarding.”