Waiting and Watching Read Online Free PDF Page A

parents all those years ago. “I was a rookie cop when your parents were murdered, but I remember the facts like it happened yesterday. Murder is not an everyday occurrence in Tilden Park. However, my superiors closed the case years ago. I’m certain nothing new has come to light.”
    Reynolds admitted his boss was convinced Andrew was the killer. “So it’s possible some leads were ignored.” He promised Connie he would look at the file and request the case officially be re-opened if he found any substantial leads that hadn’t been thoroughly investigated.
    â€œDo you remember anything that might help, no matter how trivial?”
    Connie shook her head. “No, nothing now. My brother and I are here for the reunion and we plan to talk to neighbors and friends about this. If we discover anything at all, may we call you?”
    â€œOf course. Call me at the station,” he replied, “and I’ll call you at the hotel if I find anything.”
    After finishing their coffee, he escorted her back to the Tilden Park Inn.

Chapter 7
    Thursday—September 4, 1986
    Connie woke up at seven and tried to go back to sleep. No luck. She was anxious to talk to Julio and wondered how happy he would be to hear from her so early. She knocked lightly but persistently on the door to Julio’s room.
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding me,” he mumbled sleepily. “You’re up already?”
    â€œSorry, Julio. I’ve had a wild night and I’ve been waiting for a decent hour to wake you.”
    â€œHell! Then go back to bed and wait for it! It’s only seven o’clock.”
    â€œCome on, I’m buying breakfast downstairs. We need to get an early start.” She heard him mumbling and swearing, but knew that meant he was getting out of bed.
    â€œAlright. Go downstairs and order me coffee. I’ll jump in the shower and be right down.”
    Julio joined her ten minutes later. Already she had polished off a carafe of coffee and waved down the waitress for a refill plus two orders of eggs over easy and crisp bacon.
    â€œAre you going to tell me about your little escapade last night? I saw your note this morning when I was getting dressed.”
    While they ate, she reviewed the events of the previous night. “The bottom line is that I drove back to the house and while parked there, I met Sgt. Reynolds who has agreed to look over our parents’ file. He will search for overlooked leads and ask his superior to review with the consideration to reopen. He was not overly optimistic and confirmed my suspicion that it’s considered a cold case. It will probably take some new evidence to reopen it. Sgt. Reynolds will call me if he has anything to report. He was a rookie when the murders occurred and he remembers the case vividly since a double homicide in Tilden Park was hardly the norm. He seemed like a good guy and at least has an interest in our case.”
    â€œGreat,” Julio said, “but is it the case that interests Sgt. Reynolds, or the pretty damsel in distress?”
    â€œNot everyone automatically thinks about sex. I know that may seem strange to you, my sex-crazed little brother. The guy could be married with five children at home for all I know, and anyway, he was a perfect gentleman. Besides, I like them tall, dark and handsome, and that definitely does not describe Reynolds. He’s nice looking, like the boy next door, but older.”
    Upset that she would venture out alone at night, Julio made Connie promise that she would not do it again, or at least would take him with her. He was thankful for the understanding officer, but did not want her counting on him getting their parents’ case reopened. Connie agreed that Sgt. Reynolds was a long shot, but at least it gave her some hope.
    â€œNow it’s time to gather information and that begins with our old neighbor, Nola Perkins.”
    Throwing his head back, Julio groaned a