Christine exhaled slowly as if trying to control her breathing. “Oh. I’m not home much and I don’t know many of the people who live there. Our lots are large and we don’t have block parties or anything like that. Most of my life takes place at work.”

Laurel had lived many years just like that. In fact, back in DC, she didn’t know most of her neighbors. “I understand.” She pushed back her chair and stood as the other two did the same. “Walter will take you home to gather your belongings right now, and by the time you two reach Seattle, we’ll have a plan in place.” She’d make that call herself.

“Thank you.” Christine stood.

Laurel paused by the doorway. “Do you know Tommy Bearing, by any chance?”

Christine frowned. “I know Mayor Bearing. Is Tommy one of his kids?”

“Yes. How do you know the mayor?” Laurel asked, her mind drawing quick connections.

Christine stilled. “I can’t answer that.”

“Personally or professionally?” Laurel asked smoothly.

“Professionally,” Christine said, shifting her weight from one foot to another.

So the mayor was probably a patient of the hospital. Tommy had mentioned that the mayor and Harvey Brewerston had been treated by the same cardiologist. Laurel made a mental note to track down more details. “I understand you can’t discuss patients, but has the mayor’s son ever been present at your hospital with his father? Maybe attended an appointment with his dad?”

“No, sorry,” Christine said. “Not to my knowledge. I’ve never met Tommy Bearing. I don’t think I have, anyway.”

But perhaps Tommy had seen Christine at some point. “Who does your gardening, lawn work, or landscape maintenance?”

Christine shrugged. “I believe it’s the same company who does the snow removal. That’s all handled by the homeowner’s association.”

Another dead end and not Greenfield Architecture. “Have you participated in the charity auction run by the mayor’s wife every year?” Laurel asked.

“No. Again, I live at work,” Christine said, drawing her beige wool coat off the back of her chair.

“All right. Let’s have Walter get you settled, and then we’ll talk again. Thank you.” Laurel left her coat in place and strode back to the computer center, where Nester was rapidly typing on his keyboard. Once inside the room, she noticed a couple of scratched snowboards mounted on the right wall. One had a two-inch dent in the side. It must’ve been a heck of a rock he’d hit.

Nester finished typing. “The phone dumps from Charlene Rox and Sharon Lamber are downloading right now.” He sat back and stretched. “Yeah, baby.”

“I like the snowboards. What are you planning to hang on the wall behind you?” There wasn’t a window in the computer hub.