infiltrated the deaf school.”
“But Tracy spent the majority of her school day at the regular high school. It could be that the gang’s not originating on the deaf campus, but the local high school campus.”
“Or neither.”
“Right. So Tracy was a gang member, we know that much. She’s also in possession of stolen merchandise. Which brings me to the questions: Does Dylan know about this? Does he know anything about the breaking and entering and thefts going on? Is he a member of the gang?”
“A lot of good questions.” He closed his eyes, picturing Alonso’s thin, but well-muscled frame. He shook his head. “I can’t remember my brother having a tattoo, but I haven’t seen him without his shirt, either. I can’t imagine him getting involved in that, but I’ll ask Alonso later.”
Catelyn shot him a look that said she thought he had his rose-tinted glasses back on. Thankfully, she kept her opinion to herself. He’d have to prove Dylan’s innocence one way or another. And if the kid was guilty…
“Did Dylan ever say why Tracy was so adamant about Kelly breaking up with him?”
Joseph shook his head. “Nothing specific. Just that her brother wanted to go out with Kelly and she kept turning him down because she was Dylan’s girlfriend.”
“What’s Tracy’s brother’s name again?”
“Zachary.”
“So, we need to talk to Zachary about this gang that his sister was a part of.”
“Looks like. And my bet is that if she was a part of it, so is he.”
“He’s not deaf. He’s hearing and goes to Esterman High.” She pushed back from her desk and wisps of blond hair tickled his chin sending shards of longing to clench his gut. Somehow, some way, they were going to have to work things out because she had already burrowed her way under in skin in less than twenty-four hours. Just the thought of telling her goodbye again was painful enough to know that having to go through the real thing again would probably rip his heart to shreds.
Pushing aside his personal agenda, he said, “I suppose we should give the family a call and let them know we want to talk to Zachary. I’m guessing he’s probably not back at school yet so soon after Tracy’s death.”
Catelyn got on the phone and made the call. Joseph got up to stretch a minute and say something to one of the other detectives he’d worked with a few years back.
When she hung up, Catelyn turned to him and frowned. “He’s not there.”
“So, where is he?”
“His mother didn’t know. She said he got a text after lunch and said he was going to meet up with a friend. She hasn’t heard from him since.”
“When’s Tracy’s funeral?”
“Tomorrow. Visitation is this afternoon.”
“I’ve got a feeling we need to see if he shows up to the visitation.”
“And who he shows up with.”
Catelyn scanned the sea of faces heading in to pay respects to the family. Mostly teenagers, teachers, probably some church members. The line to greet the family and offer sympathy extended well down the hall to snake around to the entrance to the funeral home. The front door stood open and Joseph waited off to the side, dressed in a suit and tie.
She nearly stumbled in her uncomfortable medium-height heels. She’d never had a problem walking in them before so she couldn’t blame her sudden clumsiness on the shoes.
No, it was Joseph. What was she going to do about him? He exuded strength, authority, and was completely at ease in his six-foot-two-inch frame. At five feet eight she didn’t consider herself a short woman, but next to him, she always felt petite, feminine. Something that didn’t happen very often around other men. And Joseph was definitely the only man who’d ever made her palms sweat. She rubbed them on her black skirt and tried to paste a serene expression on her face.
His smile greeted her with a warmth that nearly caused the upward tilt of her lips to take a downward turn. So much for serenity.
Have a little backbone, Catelyn. And, Lord, if You’d help me control my wayward emotions here, I’d really appreciate it.
He held the door open and she slipped in, nearly jumping out of her skin when his hand dropped to the small of her back. He’s only being a gentleman, she told herself. Relax.
Easier said than done. From the back of the line, they waited, watching.
A few more people trickled in, and the line in front of them moved slowly, but consistently. Catelyn kept her eyes peeled. “See him?”
“No, but he’s probably with the family in the receiving room. I can’t get a good view yet. A few more inches and I’ll be able to see if he’s in there.”
Catelyn lost her balance and stumbled into the person in front of her. Joseph caught her arm before she could do much damage. The woman turned to see who’d knocked against her and Catelyn felt her face flush. “I’m so sorry. I don’t wear heels often and…” She trailed off when the woman laughed and waved a hand as though brushing the incident aside.
“Don’t worry about it. Happens to the best of us.” A frown pinched her brows. “It’s a shame, isn’t it?”
“I’m sorry?”
The young woman who looked to be in her early forties stood there holding the hand of a child about six years old. She had a brace on her other hand. “Just a shame. Tracy used to babysit for us on a regular basis.”
“Oh, so you knew her well?”
“Absolutely. A great kid. Well, a great kid with a lot of faults, but I liked her. Oh, I’m sorry.” She held out a hand that Joseph and Catelyn took turns shaking. “I’m Stacy Dillard. My husband, Alan Dillard, is the baseball coach at Esterman High School.” She placed a loving hand on the child’s head.
“This is Alan Jr.”
“I’m six,” the little guy piped in. “My mom hurt her hand.”
Catelyn smiled at him and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you Alan Jr.”
Stacy gave a self-conscious laugh and held up her hand. “Carpal tunnel. Anyway, I wasn’t sure if I should bring him or not, but my mother couldn’t babysit today and I didn’t want to miss…” Tears welled in her eyes and she blinked them back. Taking a deep breath, she blew it out. “Tracy’s brother, Zachary, is our catcher.”
Joseph spoke up. “Then you know Dylan Carlisle.”
The woman’s green eyes brightened, the tears fading. “Oh, sure, he used to hang around Zachary quite a lot. We have the team over for cookouts and such about once a month.” Her brows drew together in a slight frown. “I haven’t seen much of Dylan lately, though. How’s he doing? Is he here?”
“He’s upset about Tracy, of course, but other than that, he seems to be doing
