In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll Page A

lifted the phone and dialed the next number.
    "Y Building Supplies, how may I direct your call?"
    "Ed Young, please."
    "May I tell him who's calling?"
    "Layla Taylor."
    "One moment, please."
    Music flooded against her ear. She tapped her pen to the beat of the easy-listening tune. This was probably a waste of time. Ed had been the supplier her father used most often. He'd been so supportive when Kevin Taylor had died. Encouraging to Layla when she started her own company. She never had to prove herself worthy of his business.
    Not like some of the independents she'd had to convince.
    "Well, hello, Layla." Ed's booming voice vibrated over the line.
    Layla smiled. "Hi, Ed. How're you?"
    "Fine. Fine. How's business?"
    "You know. Slow season."
    "What can I do for you?"
    "I need to pick your brain about the Hope-for-Homes project we concluded a few months ago. You were the supplier on it."
    "I remember."
    "Do you recall anything odd about the job?"
    "Odd?"
    "Yeah." She lifted her pen and chewed on the end again. "Like if you remember anybody hanging around the site who didn't belong or something like that."
    "No. I'm sorry." Ed paused. "Then again, we only delivered the materials and dropped them off."
    "That's what I figured." She sighed. "Just had to ask."
    "Why? What's going on?"
    "Did you see the article on me in today's paper?"
    "I haven't read the paper yet. What's the deal?"
    She wrapped the cord around her finger. "Long story short, that house was burned down and they found a body in it."
    "Oh, dear. I hadn't realized."
    "Yeah. So I'm just trying to figure it out."
    "Aren't the police investigating?"
    She snorted and let the cord go. It sprung off her finger and hit the desk. "I don't think they're doing a good job of it."
    "So, you are?" Ed's voice deepened. "Layla, you need to let the police do their job."
    "I know. It's just frustrating."
    Ed chuckled. "That's why I'm considering retiring at the end of the year. Get out of this crazy business."
    "You aren't serious?"
    "Not really, but I have thought about it."
    "You're too good to retire." She smiled. "Besides, you're my favorite supplier."
    He laughed again. "And you're one of my favorite contractors."
    A buzzing sound came over the line.
    "But now I've got another call."
    "No problem. Thanks, Ed. It was great talking with you."
    "You too. And I'll think about it tonight. If any memory pops up, I'll let you know."
    "Thanks." She placed the receiver back in its cradle.
    Another dead end. They were all long shots. What did she think she'd find out?
    She glanced at the clock. Four fifty. She'd have to call Bob on his cell. With a sigh, she lifted the phone and dialed the number.
    "This is Bob." He answered on the second ring.
    "Hey, Bob. It's Layla Taylor."
    "Yeah?"
    "Do you remember the Hope-for-Homes house?"
    "Of course. Do you think drugs were there too?"
    She couldn't really blame him for being defensive. Days ago she'd questioned him about drugs on his sites. Even though she'd been as diplomatic as possible, nobody liked the inference.
    "Not that I'm aware of. I was just wondering if you remember anything odd or strange about the site."
    "You were the foreman."
    "I know. But maybe something I didn't see. Like strange visitors to the site when I wasn't there."
    "Like a drug dealer? I know you think that's what happened on Thompson's site."
    She sighed, sorry she'd ever talked to him. "No. Just someone who didn't belong."
    "I can't think of anybody. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary."
    Another dead end. And she'd irritated Bob even more. He'd probably never do any plumbing work for her again. "Well, thanks anyway. You have a good evening."
    "Why do you want to know?" He interrupted her dismissal.
    "Well, the police are supposedly asking around. Trying to find out about the house burning and the body inside."
    "So, why are you calling me? Did you tell them you thought someone was using drugs on one of my sites?"
    "No, no. Nothing like that." Even though that's