CHAPTER 23 - Cedar Creek, Nevada Friday, July 26, 2024

CHAPTER 23

Cedar Creek, Nevada Friday, July 26, 2024

“WERE THERE EVER ANY SUSPECTS?”

“Oh, sure,” Nora said. “But none panned out. With as much news coverage as your disappearance generated, there were never many answers. The Harrison County sheriff who originally investigated the case provided updates every day or two. But once the state police took over, the updates ended.”

“Why did the state police take over the case?”

“Probably for many reasons. It was a big case, and the sheriff’s department here in Harrison County hadn’t handled a lot of missing persons cases. Certainly none that were as high profile as yours. But also because the sheriff died shortly after he started investigating. Got doped up on heroin and drove his car into Cedar Creek.”

Sloan remembered Eric Stamos’s words.

The man never took a sip of alcohol in his life. I don’t believe for a second that he overdosed on heroin.

“After the state police took over, the investigation got very formal and very distant. The town got its updates from the news outlets. I got some tidbits because the state police were speaking with Reid and Tilly, and by default a few details trickled down to me through Ellis.”

“Was Stella Connelly ever questioned? Just off the top of my head, the woman had a hell of a motive to cause harm to both Preston and Annabelle.”

“Of course, but she was protected by her parents’ wealth and their law firm. Stella was never formally considered a suspect or person of interest.”

“Did anyone else’s name come up as being tied to the case?”

“Depends who you ask. There was a big divide in the town. Half the folks thought Annabelle and Preston went on the run to avoid being charged with Baker Jauncey’s death. The other half suspected foul play. On that front, the only other name that came up was Lester Strange.”

Sloan narrowed her eyes. In all the research she’d done, she’d never come across the name.

“Who was he?”

“The family’s handyman. Back then he was a young guy who was doing work at Preston and Annabelle’s house, which was under construction at the time you all disappeared. There were rumors that Lester was infatuated with Annabelle. They went as far as to suggest the two had some sort of torrid affair.”

“What happened to this man?”

“Nothing. He was a kid back then—nineteen or twenty. He’s fifty or so today and still works for the family. The Margolises are always building something—homes, buildings, fences, you name it. And good ole Lester Strange still runs every project. He also does a lot of work up at the winery, Margolis Manor. It’s up in Oregon. We use the main home up there as a getaway sometimes. Lester maintains the property. It’s a full-time job.”

Sloan made a mental note about Stella Connelly and Lester Strange. Leads she would pursue with Eric Stamos.

“Well, listen,” Sloan said, checking her watch. “It’s getting late and I don’t want to take up any more of your time tonight. And I’m exhausted from travelling all day. Thanks for all the background information on my birth parents, and sorry for asking so many questions.”

“Please. It was my pleasure. And I’m so glad you decided to come out to Cedar Creek. Reid and Tilly know that I was meeting with you tonight. They don’t want to put any pressure on you, but they wanted me to pass along a message that they’d love to meet you if you’re comfortable with that.”

“Of course. I’d love to meet them, too.”

“Try not to judge them too harshly,” Nora said. “I give them a lot of grief, but they’re good people. And they’re wonderful grandparents to my children.”

Sloan smiled. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Tomorrow? They were hoping.”

Sloan nodded. “Sure, that would be great.”

“How about this.” Nora handed Sloan a business card. “That’s my photography studio. It’s in the heart of town, in the middle of The Block. Come by tomorrow afternoon. Annabelle was sort of my protégé. She and I bonded over our love of photography. I was teaching her everything I knew. Throughout her pregnancy, she dabbled in photography and took some great photos of you just after you were born. That whole summer, really. I’m sure I still have them somewhere, Annabelle’s pictures. If you’d like to see them, I’ll dig around my house and look for them. I know we stashed them somewhere.”

“I’d love that.”

Nora smiled. “I’ll look tonight.”

She pointed at the business card in Sloan’s hand.

“The address of my studio is on the card. One o’clock tomorrow? I’ll have Reid and Tilly meet us there.”

Sloan smiled. “See you then.”

“Sloan,” Nora said before she was out the door. “I’m not sure we’ll ever know what happened to you and your parents, but I’m sure glad I found you.”

Sloan smiled. “Me too.”

Sloan waved to Nora Margolis as she backed out of the driveway, and it occurred to her that, without too much effort, she had managed to get her foot in the door of the elusive Margolis family. Whether there was anything to find once she was inside was to be determined.