Cogent

SEVENTEEN

"The police station is in the other direction."

"We're not going to the police station."

"Then where are we going?" Mikael sent Carter a suspicious glance. She turned around in her seat, still paranoid about being followed.

Carter turned onto a familiar street, slowing the car to a crawl. He kept his eyes peeled as they eased past the houses, most of them stylish brick Victorians interspersed with more modern shingle-faced structures. When they reached the small yellow house with a beige truck parked out front, Carter pulled up to the sidewalk and shut off the engine.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Setter's house," Carter replied.

Mikael squinted, nervous. "Why are we here?"

"You're convinced that Setter had something to do with killing Lenny. If that's true, then he's the one who took the files. That's the only explanation." Carter said.

"So, you're going to break into his house?" Mikael's tone sharpened.

"I don't need to break in," Carter replied, climbing out of the car. Bending down, he pointed at her. "Stay here," he said, and shut the door.

Mikael watched Carter walk up to the front door and knock. A few moments later, a woman answered. She was wearing a jean t-shirt and faded green crocks. Smile lines around her mouth and eyes showed her age, but there was a soft pink in her cheeks that made her look younger. She was obviously happy to see Carter, giving him a quick hug before standing aside, inviting him in.

Carter turned around and waved at Mikael.

Hesitantly, she moved to unbuckled her seat belt and pushed the door open. Her high heels clicked as she walked up the pavement toward Carter, who was carrying on a pleasant conversation with the woman Mikael assumed was Mrs. Setter.

"Noretta, this is my friend Barbara." He motioned toward Mikael. She hid her momentary surprise well, extending her hand toward Noretta without any hesitation.

"Very nice to meet you, Barbara." Noretta greeted.

"You have a lovely home," Mikael complimented, her eyes shifting to the yellow shingles covering the front of the house. The door was painted bright red, with a wreath hung at its center. It looked homey, quant. Not anything like she imagined the home of a corrupt killer to be.

"Thanks, but you haven't even seen the inside yet." Noretta chuckled. "Why don't the two of you come in? I just made some hot lemonade and I've put the cedar wood on the fire."

"We don't have a lot of time. I was hoping to talk to Stewart about some paperwork."

Mikael glanced at him as if he'd gone crazy. What was he planning to do, come right out and ask Setter if he'd killed Lenny and stolen the files?

"He won't be back until this afternoon," Noretta informed them. "But you're welcome to chat with me. Haven't had company in a while."

Carter hesitated, then smiled. "I guess we could use some catching up." His gaze drifted momentarily to Mikael. Follow me, he told her with a nod.

They entered the house behind Noretta, shuffling their shoes against the rug in the entryway just like their hostess. She led them into the living room with faded leather couches and they sat down. "I'll just go get the lemonade," Noretta said, heading off to the kitchen.

Mikael sent Carter a look. "Barbara?" she mouthed.

Carter sat back and crossed one leg over the other, very relaxed. "It was my mother's name. It suits you better than Mikael," he said quietly.