Chapter 16

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

The police had already questioned Tori and gotten her contact information. She'd done her best to remain calm and not raise any suspicions as she'd spoken with them.

When they asked her why she'd come by Dr. Jean-Pierre's, she explained that the two of them were former classmates. She told them that she was in town, so she'd swung by for a visit. Kai was simply a friend who'd come along with her.

Just the spiel they'd discussed.

Tori told them she'd seen Landon's car in the garage and had become concerned—especially since he wasn't answering his door or phone. He wasn't the irresponsible type. That was when she got worried and decided to walk around back.

The detective on the scene seemed to believe her story. He didn't eye her suspiciously or ask to take her in for a statement.

Thankfully.

Guilt plagued Tori, and even though she'd tried to push it aside, it was no use.

She couldn't help but feel like this was all her fault.

She knew the truth. Landon had been killed because Tori had gotten him involved in her investigation.

She should have been more careful. However, she'd had no idea it would turn into this. If only she could turn back time . . .

If her theory was true, then Landon had seen something when he examined Nathan. Why hadn't he told her?

Nothing made sense.

Just then, a thin blonde woman Tori had never seen before flew through the front door.

As soon as the woman saw the first responders gathered around someone on the floor, a guttural cry escaped. "Landon!"

The woman darted toward him, but one of the officers caught her and held her back.

She burst into sobs as she peered at Landon.

Tori's throat swelled with emotion at the sight.

Was this Landon's girlfriend? He'd mentioned last time he and Tori spoke that he'd started to see someone. This must be her.

What was her name again? Tori tried to remember. Natalie?

Maybe.

She and Kai exchanged a glance as they watched the scene unfold.

They would need to talk to her. Though it seemed insensitive, Natalie was their best bet as far as figuring out who might have done this to Landon.

But they couldn't talk to her here in front of everyone.

Besides, Natalie probably had no idea who Tori was. The two had never met, and Tori doubted Landon had mentioned her. They were friends, but not so close that they talked all the time. Tori had helped tutor Landon once, and they'd been like siblings after that.

When the detective on the scene asked Natalie to wait in the living room, Tori saw her opportunity to chat.

Quietly, she lowered herself into the overstuffed chair beside Natalie. She mirrored the woman's body language as she leaned forward with her arms on her knees.

"I'm Tori." She kept her voice soft. "You must be Natalie."

The woman's eyes flashed with recognition. "Landon mentioned you before."

"He did?" Tori probably should have tried to keep the surprise from her voice. But it was too late now.

"He said you were his cheerleader throughout medical school."

Those words caused a small smile to flutter across Tori's lips. "He was a great guy, and I knew he'd be a great doctor. I was right."

Tears filled Natalie's eyes as she nodded. "He loved his job. You're the one who found him?"

Natalie's gaze locked onto Tori's, desperation for answers lingering there.

Tori nodded and told Natalie the same story she'd told the police.

"I just can't believe this." Natalie slowly rocked her head back and forth. "I know we've only been dating a few months. But we had such a strong connection, and . . ."

"Landon said the same about you. I'm so sorry." She squeezed Natalie's hand. "I can't imagine how this would have happened."

"Me either. Who would do this to Landon?"

Tori thought she might have the answer, but she didn't dare speak it aloud. Not without proof, at least.

Instead, she asked, "Did he have any disagreements with anyone lately?"

Tori felt insensitive asking the question, but she had to know.

"No, he was a good guy. You know that. Everyone loved him."

Natalie's words were true. Landon was a likeable guy with a good heart.

But even good guys sometimes had run-ins with the wrong people.

Natalie stared at her, her gaze processing everything. "I assumed this was a random break-in gone wrong or something. You're telling me it wasn't?"

Tori needed to backtrack. "I'm not telling you anything. I'm just deeply concerned over what might have happened. My friend," she nodded at Kai, "does some PI work. He thinks the scene is suspicious."

"PI work?"

She nodded. Tori and Kai had discussed this already. "That's right. I . . . well, I want answers about who did this. I know it seems fast to jump into something like this, but . . ."

"No, I understand. I want answers also." Natalie's eyes suddenly widened. "Now that you mention it . . ."

"What is it?" Tori could hardly breathe as she waited to hear what Natalie was thinking.

"As you know, Landon loves golf. A couple of weeks ago he met this guy at the country club. I think his name was Alfie. The two of them seemed to hit it off. But something about their conversations rubbed me the wrong way."

"How so?"

Natalie frowned. "I don't know . . . they got so close so fast. Alfie said he was a pharmaceutical salesman, and he asked Landon lots of questions that seemed too personal to me."

"Like what?"

She blew out a breath. "I don't know. Like about the hours he worked, what kind of pay doctors in the area made, what kind of patients he saw. Alfie claimed he might want to go back to medical school one day. Maybe that was true . . . but I don't know."

"Anything else?" Tori asked. Right now, there was nothing directly suspicious about the man. She needed to dig deeper.

"There was this one time when Landon and I were out on a date, and Alfie showed up." Natalie frowned as if the memory bothered her. "He claimed it was a coincidence, but I had to wonder . . . he just came on strong, you know?"

"I can imagine."

"And once Landon said something a little strange." Natalie pressed her lips together as if she didn't want to continue.

"What was it?"

"Probably not a big deal, but he said Alfie was super competitive. Like he tried really hard to beat him every game. He liked to get there early. Even prided himself in getting better parking spaces. It was weird if you ask me. But I guess those facts don't tie in with any of this." She let out a soft chuckle. "I'm grasping at straws."

"Maybe," Tori said. "But maybe not."

Was there more to this Alfie guy than what he'd let on?

Tori's gaze met Kai's as he stood across the room, practically making himself disappear in the midst of all the first responders lingering around.

Like a ghost.

Just as he'd been trained.

Despite that, something unspoken passed between the two of them.

They both knew it was absolutely essential that they find answers about Landon's death.

Kai waited until he and Tori were dismissed by the police and inside the SUV with Gage before he discussed the situation.

Tori recounted her conversation with Natalie, ending with, "And I got her phone number, so if we have any more questions we can call her."

"Good work back there," Kai said. "You were great."

He meant the words. Tori had been a total natural talking to Natalie. No part of their conversation had seemed forced or as if she was doing it for her own benefit.

Tori seemed like the type who genuinely cared about people, which was probably what made her such a good nurse.

"So what do we do now?" Gage draped his arm over the seat to address both of them.

"I want to go find this Alfie guy," Kai said. "Maybe he knows something. Or maybe he's a suspect. Either way, he's a place to start."

"We won't know unless we talk to him," Gage said.

Kai glanced at Tori. "Did Natalie give you the name of the country club?"

"She did, but I think finding him is going to be easier said than done," Tori said. "All we know is that he and Landon met at the golf course. Alfie could have been there for the sole purpose of crossing paths with Landon. And if Landon is no longer around, then this guy will have no reason to go back there."

"You could be right, but someone at the country club might be able to describe him." Kai shrugged. "They might even be able to tell us how to find him. It seems worth a shot."

"I agree," Gage said. "If we can track this guy down, maybe we can find some answers."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Tori glanced at them, a new determination in her gaze. "Let's go."