Twilight: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 3

“Ramirez and I have some information which affects the three of you as well as the Bledsoes.”
Sam let go of Bo so they could sit down. Once settled in their chairs, Bo’s hand found Sam’s under the table, weaving their fingers together. Sam gave Bo’s hand a little squeeze and was rewarded by a quick, loving glance from Bo.
Setting the video camera on the table, Dean leaned forward. “So what is it you have to tell us? Does it have anything to do with Anne?”
Parsons nodded. “Yes, it does. As you know, we’ve questioned her about her activities in regards to Harry Norton, both previously and just before his disappearance.”
“What did you find out?” Lex’s fingers twisted nervously together. Carl laid his hand over both of hers, and she gave him a grateful smile.
“Nothing concrete. But her stories are inconsistent, and she became quite angry when we questioned her recall of events.” Parsons turned a penetrating stare to Lex and Carl. “Are you aware of Anne Tallant’s whereabouts on the afternoon Harry Norton disappeared?”
Lex and Carl looked at each other. Their faces reflected the same apprehension Sam felt. “She was here at the Lodge somewhere,” Carl answered. “Though of course she could’ve been anywhere on the property. Our employees all do multiple jobs here, and they all have reason to be all over the property during a typical day.”
Ramirez scribbled something on the big yellow legal pad in front of him. “Any idea where on the property she might’ve been between two and three o’clock on that day?”
“If I remember right she and Corinne were cleaning the cabins that day. Corinne’s our other employee,” Carl added. “This is her week off.”
Parsons pursed her lips. “Hmm. Would we be able to get in touch with her if we need to speak with her?”
“Well, we’d have to radio the main office and they would have to call her, but yes, we could probably find her if we needed to.” Lex glanced anxiously between Parsons and Ramirez. “Why? Has Anne done something we should know about?”
“She’s made veiled threats against the two of you,” Ramirez said, nodding at Sam and Bo. “Nothing we can act on, but threats all the same. Watch yourselves, and report to us if she tries anything.”
Dean shot a questioning look at Bo. Bo nodded, his expression grim.
“We ran into her outside,” Dean told them. “She was seriously pissed off at me for ratting her out. She didn’t say anything to Sam and Bo, but she didn’t look any too happy with them.”
Concern showed in Parsons’ eyes. “Ramirez, keep an eye on her. Don’t make a move unless she does, but watch her.”
With a nod, Ramirez stood, his chair scraping across the wooden floor. Shrugging his jacket on, he strode out the door into the night. He left the yellow legal pad and pen on the table.
Carl gazed after Ramirez, a frown creasing his brow. “Surely Anne isn’t actually dangerous.”
“We don’t know anything for sure at this point,” Parsons said. “But while she is not currently a suspect, she is a person of interest in this case.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” Bo asked, his hand gripping Sam’s harder.
“It basically just means we want to question her further. She let slip a couple of details regarding the afternoon in question that don’t add up.” Picking up Ramirez’s abandoned pen, Parsons tapped the end of it against the table. “That isn’t enough to detain her, but it is enough for us to question her further, with a court order if necessary.”
Lex was shaking her head, face set in stubborn lines. “I know she’s homophobic. But she’s never given us any reason to think she’d actually hurt anyone. We never would’ve hired her if we thought she’d do that.”
“I’m sure that’s true, Mrs. Bledsoe. But you can’t tell a criminal just by looking. If that were possible, my job would be much easier.” Parsons’ expression was solemn and sympathetic. “People are capable of truly horrendous things. I hope Ms. Tallant is as innocent of wrongdoing as you think she is, but I can’t afford to assume that. The things she said lead me to believe she may have seen Mr. Norton on the day he disappeared, yet she claims she didn’t. His prescription medication, just filled that day, was present at the scene of a murder. If she saw Mr. Norton that afternoon, we need to know. Even if she didn’t harm anyone, she may be a witness.”
Shocked, Sam stared at Parsons’ blank