‘Oh, yes. Thanks.’ She handed it back and asked him to fill her in on what he knew.

‘Not a lot right now, I’m afraid. Dispatch received a call about three-thirty this morning. The name she gave was Naomi Kenney, but since she was hesitant to give that much information, we’re not sure it’s the caller’s real name. Anyway, she said she was searching for a place to sleep when she spotted a flashy red car – make and model unknown – and something about the way the driver was acting made him seem suspicious.’

Cord interrupted. ‘What time was that?’

Vogler shook his head. ‘No way she could tell the time, but she said she’d waited awhile before using that payphone next to Route 66 Motel.’ All three of them turned to the ramshackle, rundown motel that had once been glorious in its day but now housed more mice than people. Since the city had condemned it, the motel had become a nest for drug exchanges or strung-out individuals looking for a place to rest their head before searching for their next fix. It was heartbreaking to see.

‘Back to what I was saying – Ms. Kenney said she spotted this car driving around, and when Dispatch asked her to explain what the driver was doing that made her suspicious, she stated that the car drove around the block five or six times, like the driver was either looking for someone or making sure no one else was around. When the driver suddenly stopped in front of the building here, Ms. Kenney said she became nervous and ducked behind a dumpster.’ He twisted around and pointed. ‘I’m guessing that’s the one she was referring to since it’s the closest one.

‘She watched the driver get out of the car, describing him as an average-sized male in a rumpled suit with a scratch down his face, which she noticed when he stepped underneath the streetlight. Another indication that the dumpster she hid behind was that one. She said the driver popped the trunk and removed what appeared to be something heavy, walked into this building and returned empty-handed to his car a few minutes later. Dispatch asked her if she went inside to see what the man left behind, but Ms. Kenney became agitated and hung up. A few of us wondered if she was lingering out there’ – he tipped his head toward the gathering of the curious – ‘but if she is, she’s not coming forward or admitting to it.’

Cord ran his hand over his head. ‘Any other witnesses or people you’ve talked to?’

A frown turned down the corners of Vogler’s lips as he lifted his chin towards the ever-growing mob standing on the sidewalk. ‘They might gather out of morbid curiosity, but they scatter like birdshot when it comes to procuring witness statements.’

Alyssa and Cord both nodded. ‘Unfortunately, it seems very few people feel compelled to step forward when it comes to matters of speaking to or assisting the police.’ Before she could thank Officer Vogler, a commotion behind them grabbed her attention.