She pulled the seatbelt off her neck. “You’re not wrong. That’s normally how I’d conduct this. However, I’d like to spend some time with Tommy Bearing, and hiring Greenfield is an easy way to do that.”

Huck cut her a look. “For the case. That’s smart.”

“Yes, for the case.” She tugged her jacket more closely around her body. “Also, I’m trying to be a good friend.” She peered at him across the cab. “We’re friends, and I figure we’re friends with Dr. Ortega. Or just friendly.” She tapped a bit of snow off her left boot. “Or colleagues who look out for each other. I’m uncertain.”

“You’ve lost me.”

Her stomach rumbled; she’d had nothing but coffee all day. “Dr. Ortega expressed concern to me about his niece dating Tommy Bearing, and I thought I could get to know him a little better during this process.” In fact, she could probably conduct background checks on all of the Bearing men as part of the case.

“So that’s why Ortega wanted to speak to you alone the other day? He wanted your take on his niece’s guy?” Huck frowned. “I’m not sure that’s cool.”

“Probably not, but as neither of us are raising teenagers, I’m choosing not to judge.” She watched an older truck slide on the road ahead of them and held her breath until the driver regained control and slowed down. “Dr. Ortega mentioned that Tommy has a juvenile record that might include vandalism and voyeurism.”

Huck pursed his lips. “Interesting. Isn’t voyeurism one of those precursor crimes you FBI behavior science gurus look to in determining future sex crimes?”

“Yes.” Not exactly but close enough. “We should investigate Tommy and see if he has any connection to Dr. Rox or Abigail.” To rule the young man out, if nothing else.

“Hmm. The kid looks to be in shape and could make the trek through the woods to Witch Creek, and I suppose with enough rage, he could cause the injuries to the victims that we’ve seen.” Huck drove around the slow-moving truck, his hands sure on the steering wheel. “But where would a kid that age find black dahlia flowers this time of year?”

“That’s a crucial question. You have people researching that, correct?”

Huck nodded. “I think that’s the key. If somebody has ordered all of those flowers, we should be able to track the financial records.” He pulled into their office parking lot and rolled to a stop next to her SUV. “I have officers searching for in-state greenhouses that sell dahlias as well. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

Laurel sighed. “When do we ever get lucky?”

“Good point.”

* * *