Approval flashed in Ian’s eyes, then turned to skepticism. “From her profile, she doesn’t seem like the type to leave a notebook lying around for someone to find.”
“No,” Patrick agreed. “I don’t believe it was intentional. I think I spooked her and she took off.”
Ian considered this. “What was in the notebook?”
“The kind of stuff you’d expect an MDI to notice at a scene. Lack of vehicle, lack of ID, no signs of struggle, corruption of scene, positioning of the cabin, evidence inconsistent with an ‘unspecified medical emergency.’ Questions that should be being asked and aren’t.”
Ian nodded. “That’s consistent with what I found. The Pine Ridge PD isn't treating it as a priority. No surprise, but this is shoddy work, even for them.” His expression shifted slightly to one of disapproval. “They’re letting the preliminary ruling stand, and nobody's pushing back.”
“Except everyone who's looked at it carefully.”
“Including you.” Ian picked up his coffee. “And Frank Sullivan's granddaughter, who is risking her career by sticking her nose where she has no jurisdiction.”
“She asked me if I had a source at the PD,” Patrick said. “Someone who could get access to the official report.”
“Why? What’s she after?”
“Clothing condition, physical details, anything not in the public record.”
“And what did you tell her?”
“That I knew a guy who could access the info. Probably already had, in fact.”
Ian's lips quirked. “Anyone I know?”
“Maybe.”
Ian chuckled, then grew serious again. “I pulled what I could from the county system, but here’s the thing. There’s no detail beyond the preliminary report. Nothing. They’re not just shoving this on the back burner, they’re burying it.”
“So the PD record isn't going to tell us much.”
“The official record won’t. But that body didn’t just float into the morgue itself. Someone removed the body, and somebody knows where it’s being kept.” Ian looked at him steadily. “If you want to realize your dream of having your own PI and security company, then you need to cultivate relationships inside these systems, not just circumvent them. To work alongside them.” He paused. “People who know you and trust you and will pick up the phone when you call.”
“I know,” Patrick said. And he did. Between his uncles, his cousins, and the people he’d met and worked with over the years, he was quietly building an extensive network of potential resources.
“You’ve already got the foundations of a great network in place.”
“No one in the police department, though.”
Ian’s eyes sparkled. “Talk to Declan. Something tells me he might have some ideas.”
Patrick looked at his father. “You know everything, don't you?”
Ian grinned. “Not everything. But don’t tell your mother. She thinks I’m omniscient.”
Declan was nearly done plasteringthe east-facing wall when Patrick rapped on the door frame.
“Looks good.”
Declan turned down the volume on the Bluetooth speaker. “It’s getting there. What’s up?”
“Did you have a chance to talk to those friends of yours?”
“I did. I should have something for you tonight.”
Declan wasn’taround when Patrick got back to the house later that night, but he’d left a manila envelope with Patrick’s name on it.
Patrick pulled out the single sheet of information.