Chapter Twenty-EightTwenty-Three Days After
At 5:30 the next morning, Stacey Gray was parked in front of the Parson house again. Roper's car was still there. Stacey drank coffee and waited until 7:00 a.m., watching nothing in particular and seeing no movement from the house. At 7:15 she knocked on the door. Kelly Parson answered and her eyes filled with surprise and then, nervousness. She appeared ready for work, wearing her blue physician's attire. All that was missing was a surgical mask.
“Good morning, Ms. Parson, may I come in?”
There was hesitancy. Kelly glanced quickly over her shoulder before saying, “Okay, sure.” She walked into the living room and Stacey followed.
“What can I do for you, Detective?” Kelly asked, regaining composure.
“Ms. Parson, you never called Detective But
