Chapter 11
At his request, I meet the police chief at his house an hour after I get off the phone with him.
A blue Honda is driving away from the curb in front of his house when I arrive.
I get out of my cruiser and walk across the street, up a pathway blooming with pansies and tulips, Stella’s signature green thumb, and climb the steps to the front stoop.
Before I knock, an idea I’ve been thinking a lot about all afternoon seizes me and I turn, descending the stairs and walking around to the side of the house.
I glimpse the inside of the three-car garage through one of the windows on the front door, cupping my hands around the glass to get a better look inside.
Satisfied, I go around to the front door of the house and knock twice. Barton opens the door to greet me. He looks like he’
