"I've reopened that case. I'm relooking at things, trying to find out more," she said.
"You are?" Kerry sounded surprised and intrigued.
"I found something I didn't know was there. A key, with a plastic label. There's writing on it that's too old and smudged to read. I don't know where it is from."
"A key? I also knew nothing about a key," Kerry said.
"I was wondering something."
"Yeah? What?"
“Could you take a look at it? Maybe you can tell where it's from, or there's a software program that can figure out the text on the label?"
Kerry was silent a while. May got the sense this was a big deal for her. A bigger deal than she'd expected.
"I'd love to help," she said. "Send the key, or a picture of it, and I'll take a look and see what I can do.”
"Thanks, sis," May said.
“But May,” Kerry hesitated.
“What?” she asked. There was something strange in her sister’s tone.
“You need to be careful,” Kerry warned.
“Why?” May asked.
“Because evidence like this, that wasn’t correctly recorded, means something.”
“What does it mean?” Now a chill went down May’s spine.
“I don’t know. But it’s very disturbing. There should have been no missing evidence. No mistakes. If there is, it’s a sign that someone was able to interfere in the case at some point. This is a small town. People know what’s going on, more than you think they do. If you’re opening the case and investigating, I’m telling you, be careful. Because if someone thought they’d managed to hide something back then, they’re going to do whatever it takes to keep it hidden. Watch your back, is what I’m saying.”
“I will.” May shivered. “And thank you – for the favor, and the warning.”
She cut the call and put her phone away, walking in step with Owen as they approached the bar.
She was unsettled by what Kerry had said, but felt even more determined to unlock the secret behind Lauren's disappearance.
Even if it ended up putting her in personal danger.