Chapter 5: Pinecrest

I didn't go to the van for soup the next night.

I went because I had a question and one person who might answer it.

Dustin was stirring the pot when I walked up, and he held out a bowl without looking.

"Tomato basil," he said. "Second bucket."

"I need to see the statement Caleb sent you."

His ladle stopped.

"Why?"

"Because I've seen the top line, and I want the rest." I kept my voice level. "You said you looked at my shoes. Now look at this."

He wiped his hands on a rag and took out his phone.

I read it standing at the counter, with the steam on my face.

Line one was a necklace from a store called Pinecrest Jewelers, on Main Street in Halsey. Two hundred and twelve thousand dollars.

The time was 8:12 p.m., on the night of my welcome dinner.

"That's here," I said. "That's ten minutes from the house."

"It's a phone order," Dustin said, leaning over my shoulder. "See the code? Nobody walked in."

"At 8:12 I was at the table. Caleb gave me the card at 8:00. It was in my pocket, and I never took it out."

He didn't answer.

I turned to look at him.

"You still think I might have done it," I said.

"I think I like you," he said slowly. "And I've known Caleb ten years."

"So?"

"So I'd like to see for myself."

"I'm not lying."

He took off his apron. "Tomorrow, nine o'clock. Pinecrest opens at ten."

"Then how do we get in?"