* * *
After dropping Stephanie off at her office, Brody talked to her brother’s squad leader. Ted had been in his barracks last night, according to the sergeant. Brody didn’t know whether to feel relieved or even more concerned.
He called Fort Stewart CID and asked them to question the WTB there, and also the folks who had worked with Stephanie, in case she hadn’t realized a danger that someone else may have suspected.
Stopping by his office, he called the Freemont Police Department and set up an appointment to talk to the new chief. Don Palmer, a big guy—midforties—with broad shoulders and a thick neck, greeted him a short while later with a firm handshake.
“My men told me you pointed out a few flaws in their investigation at PFC Webb’s house yesterday.” He motioned Brody to sit while he poured two cups of coffee. “Appreciate the help.”
“Not a problem, sir.” Brody accepted one of the cups. The two men discussed Josh’s injury and Brody’s suspicions. The chief said his men had gone door-to-door in the neighborhood, but no one had seen anything or anyone. In addition, they’d checked for prints but hadn’t found anything conclusive.
Brody shared the photos of the bathroom he’d taken on his phone and discussed the angle of the blood spatter and Josh’s head trauma.
“I agree with your assessment,” the chief said. “Looks like someone attacked him from behind. Any idea about the bathwater?”
“Not at this point. Although I’ll question the other soldiers in the Warrior Transitional Battalion where Josh is assigned and let you know if I hear anything.”
Chief Palmer nodded. “I’d appreciate any help you can give us. If you work the on-post angle, we’ll investigate in Freemont. Two more set of eyes and ears would be a win-win in my opinion.”
“I’ll be happy to help.”
Brody mentioned the bull’s-eyes and notes left at Stephanie’s home, hoping the chief might be able to shed light on the vandalism.
“If her door wasn’t locked, anyone could have entered the house,” the chief said, pointing out the obvious.
“She thought she had engaged the lock, but admitted being in a hurry.” Brody shrugged. “New job, rushing to get to post for a social event.”
“I’ll increase patrols in the Estates.”
“Have there been any break-ins?”
“Not recently, but things can change in a heartbeat.”
Which Brody knew too well. “I met Keith Allen this morning. He works for Freemont Real Estate.”
Palmer nodded. “Keith’s a nice guy who does a lot of good in town.”
“What about his past?”
“Past as in his youth?”
“If you’ve got information.”
“I grew up in Freemont. The Allen family has always been prominent, although we came from different sides of town. My family was from a less affluent area.”
“The Allens were well-to-do.”
“Wealthy would be a better choice of words. They lived in the Country Club Estates. His father started the development, and his home was the first one constructed in the area.”
“So Daddy was in real estate.”
“A contractor, who died of a heart attack much too young. His marriage was rocky, and most folks said he worked himself to death. He built many of the buildings in town, as well. Plus, he won a number of bids at Fort Rickman.”
“What about Davis Upton? Isn’t he a manufacturer?”
“Who also received a number of federal contracts.”
“Did the two men work together?”
Palmer shrugged. “I’m not sure, but they both had dealings with new construction on post.”
“And both benefited from those jobs.”
“That’s right.” The chief straightened in his chair. “I’m in favor of a man making a living, Agent Goodman, so I don’t understand your point.”
“Just trying to see the dynamic between the two families. Mrs. Upton and Mrs. Allen were sisters.”
“That’s right, but the families weren’t particularly close.” Palmer took a long swig from his cup. “Jane Upton was about six months’ pregnant with Ted when Hazel Allen became pregnant. Up until then, the two families had mingled socially. After the boys were born, some type of split developed, and the two women were rarely seen together after that. About the same time, the Allens’ marriage went south.”
Brody raised his brow.
The chief shrugged nonchalantly. “A lot of folks are related in a small town like Freemont. Sometimes we like our kin. Sometimes we don’t, but they’re still kin.”
“Tell me about Keith growing up.”
“He was a quiet kid. Didn’t apply himself to his studies. The same could be said for a lot of high school boys.”
“And his brother, Hayden?”
Palmer nodded. “Now I see where you’re headed. Hayden was the golden boy who could do no wrong. Everyone in town liked the kid, even though he started running with a wild crowd in his senior year.”
“Ted Upton?”
“That’s right. They were in the same grade at school, although Hayden was a bit younger. Paul Massey was part of the group. Joshua Webb, as well. The guys were determined to push the envelope in most things they attempted. Two girls hung around with them, Nikki Dunn and Cindy Ferrol. Not that the girls were bad, but they made poor choices in the guys they dated.”
“Nikki dated Hayden?”
“She was sweet on Ted at first. They broke up their senior year. Not long after that, she started dating Hayden and went with him to the prom, which seemed to surprise everyone.”
“How’d Ted take it?”
“He got stopped for drag racing later that same night.”
Brody sat back in the chair. “All this happened three years ago, yet you seem to be pretty sure about your details, Chief. I don’t want to be disrespectful, but you mind telling me how you can recall everything with such clarity?”
“My daughter was in Ted’s class. For whatever reason, girls like bad boys. I wanted to know everything there was to learn about Ted Upton, and you can bet I kept my eyes on him. Last thing I wanted was to find him with my daughter.”
“Did anything develop between them?”
“I didn’t let it. In fact, I insisted she head to college for summer semester right after high school graduation. Getting her out of town was the best decision I’ve ever made. Didn’t take her long to realize there were a lot more eligible guys at the University of Georgia, in Athens, rather than back in Freemont, Georgia.”
“What about Ted’s drag-racing charge?”
“His father got it dropped. Ted enlisted. Josh and Paul followed suit, and life became a whole lot easier once the boys left town.”
“They were a constant problem?”
“More like a bigger-than-normal nuisance. Ted came from an okay family, although his daddy was more interested in growing his business than forming a relationship with his teenage son. The mother was a nice lady, liked by all. Shame was, she got cancer and died when Ted was a freshman in high school. The kid went downhill from then on.”
“What about his sister?”
“Stephanie tried to keep him on the straight and narrow, but the job was more than she could handle. Ted had a surly mouth and a bad attitude and didn’t listen to her. Most folks thought Stephanie did more than she should have to help the kid. With her dad gone most of the time, she reconnected with her aunt Hazel, but that relationship eventually ended.”
Brody leaned forward ever so slightly, waiting for more information.
The cop pursed his lips. “You’ve probably heard about the drowning at Big Island Lake?”
“Bits and pieces.”
“Ted, Hayden, Josh and Paul had spent the day on the island. They were d
rinking. Nikki and Cindy joined them at some point. There used to be a rope swing that swung out over the rocky channel between Big Island and Little Island to the south. Currents can be strong in that area. The water’s deep, and storms make the situation even worse, which is what happened.”
“Keith Allen was supposed to pick the kids up?”
Palmer nodded. “But he had driven to Atlanta and didn’t return until later that night.”
“So the teens were stranded.”
“And in the water when the storm hit. After all the booze they’d consumed, getting to shore became a problem. Hayden and Cindy jumped from the rope swing. She hurt her arm. Supposedly Hayden hit the water hard. He may have been knocked unconscious or got caught in the current.”
“And was never seen again?”
“Until the underwater crew pulled his body to the surface.”
“How’d Stephanie Upton get involved?”
“Ted had called her earlier, when Keith didn’t show, and said they needed a ride back to the mainland. By the time she arrived, the storm was in full fury, and the kids were struggling in the water. To her credit, Stephanie rescued everyone except Hayden.”
Brody’s heart ached for her. No wonder Stephanie didn’t want to face her aunt or didn’t have a more forthright relationship with her surviving cousin.
“Did you talk to Keith after the incident?”
“He was pretty shaken. Blamed himself for being held up in Atlanta.”
“What about Mrs. Allen?”
Palmer shook his head. “She was never the same after her son’s death. It was as if the life had been taken from her, as well. Not long thereafter, she had a stroke. Probably the stress and grief.”
“Hayden had a red Ford pickup truck, mud tires. Supposedly, it was sold at auction. You know anything about it?”
“Easy enough to find out. Earl Lear runs the only auction in this area. I’ll call him.” The chief reached for his phone and tapped in a series of digits.
He rubbed his chin. “Hey, Earl, this is Chief Palmer. I need some information about that red, jacked-up truck Hayden Allen used to drive.” He nodded. “Can you tell me who bought it?”
Palmer eyed Brody and pulled his mouth away from the receiver. “Earl’s checking his records. Shouldn’t be too hard to track down the buyer.”
Palmer reached for a pen and positioned a small tablet on his desk. “I’m ready to copy.”
He jotted a name and phone number on the paper. “Thanks, Earl.”
The cop rewrote the message, tore the page from the spiral notebook and handed it to Brody. “The truck sold to a Sam Franken. The guy lives on a rural route not far from Montgomery over in Alabama. You think it might be the same truck that Stephanie Upton mentioned yesterday?”
“I have no idea, but both vehicles fit the same relative description.”
“We’ll pull Department of Motor Vehicle records and check on any trucks, red in color, belonging to folks in this area. Could be a lengthy list, but I’ll let you know what we find.”
“Sounds good, Chief.” Brody gave his card to Palmer and then dropped the disposable cup in the trash. “Appreciate the coffee and your time. I’ll be in touch.”
Brody left the station with more information than he had expected. Just as he had feared, Ted had been on a downward spiral in high school. The military may have helped to straighten him out, but he still had a problem when it came to his sister. A bigger problem than anyone, except Brody, seemed to realize.
EIGHT
After glancing at her watch for the fourth time, Stephanie pushed away from her desk and shoved the papers she was working on into her bottom drawer. Grabbing her purse and tote, she changed clothes and shoes in the restroom and left the office to wait for Brody outside. As a rule, military guys were punctual, and his car turned into the lot before she reached the sidewalk.
“I hate pulling you away from your CID work, Brody.” He bounded around the front of the car and stood holding the passenger door for her, which made her smile. He, too, had changed and was dressed in a polo and khaki slacks and Top-Siders. His phone was strapped to his waist. Knowing how conscientious Brody was, he’d probably used an ankle holster for his service weapon.
His smile was warm and welcoming as he climbed behind the wheel. “I stopped by city hall. The clerk said Keith reserved the entire picnic area some months ago, and since then, Freemont Real Estate matched the municipal funds so the facilities would be ready to use.”
“Did you find out what’s available?”
“There’s a large kitchen, an outdoor dining pavilion and restrooms. They’ve installed a playground for kids and have wheelchair ramps, which will be perfect for any of the military who aren’t mobile. Evidently they’re still working to shore up some of the trails. Signs are posted on areas under construction that need to be avoided.”
“Keith emailed me a couple hours ago. His message included an itinerary for the day, including volleyball and a fun run.”
“Sounds as if your cousin has turned into a staunch military supporter.”
“Which makes me glad.”
The sunshine coming through the window cheered Stephanie’s spirits, and the change of scenery helped improve her outlook. Taking a drive on this lovely summer day was just what she needed.
She and Brody talked about everything except her brother or Josh or bedsheets painted with a bull’s-eye. By the time they arrived at the marina, she was feeling refreshed, but once she glanced at her father’s cabin cruiser moored to the dock, her stomach soured.
She walked to where Keith stood looking out at the lake. Brody was a step behind. He quickly caught up with her and smiled as if offering support.
Keith greeted them warmly and then said, “I expect the others should be here soon. You can wait with me or go on ahead.”
Brody glanced at the boats, staring long and hard at her father’s sleek cabin cruiser. The Upton Queen was painted in fancy script along the side of the sturdy craft.
“My father’s pride and joy,” she said, then pointed to a small motorboat tied nearby. “I prefer The Princess.”
“Is it yours?”
“By default. Dad got the boat for my mother, but she never shared his affinity for the water.”
“Stephanie takes after her father on that count,” Keith volunteered. “He loves boats and anything nautical.”
A Dodge Dart pulled into the lot. Nikki and Cindy climbed out from the backseat. Ted and Paul slammed the front doors and headed toward the docks with the girls close behind.
“Looks like you’ll have a lot of folks to transport,” Stephanie said to Keith. “Brody and I’ll ride over on The Princess.”
She waved to Ted. “Do you want to go with me?”
He shook his head. “I’ll stay with Paul.”
Stephanie sighed. Why had she even asked?
“Walt said we could use his boat,” Cindy volunteered.
Stephanie appreciated her willingness to help. “That’s not necessary. Keith has room for all of you. Brody and I will meet you on the island.”
Brody helped Stephanie untie the mooring lines and then sat next to her as she maneuvered The Princess out of the marina. Overhead, a gull cawed.
She glanced back to where Nikki leaned against the dock and pulled at a lock of her hair over and over again. Keith stood on the deck of his craft. Cindy motioned for everyone to follow him onboard.
Brody sighed with satisfaction once they headed into open water. “It’s like another world.”
“I used to come here often as a kid.” She increased the throttle and raised her voice over the motor. “When I got older I did competitive swimming and spent most of my time training at an indoor pool with my team. Life got busy, and I forgot how much I loved the lake.” She t
urned and smiled at him. “Growing up in L.A., you must have spent time at the beach.”
He shook his head. “My mom never took me. I learned to swim at summer camp.”
“Summer camp? Sounds like you were a privileged kid,” she teased.
“Hardly. Dad left when I was twelve and my mother worked two jobs to make ends meet. Luckily, a church in the suburbs ran a two-week camp for needy kids.”
“Any siblings?”
He shook his head. “Spoiled only child.”
If money was tight, Stephanie doubted Brody had anything extra growing up. In contrast, she had taken so many things for granted in her youth, yet what she wanted most had always eluded her.
“Do you miss your dad?” she asked.
“At times. Although even when he was there he wasn’t interested in being a parent.”
Stephanie could relate. “My mother always called my father a good provider.”
“Meaning he worked long hours and was never home?”
She nodded. “That was pretty much the case. Mom tried to make it up to us. Ted didn’t seem to mind, but I remembered when I was younger and Dad was around more.” She laughed ruefully. “You know kids. They blame themselves. I always thought if I worked harder, he’d be proud of me, and life would return to the way it had been.”
“So you swam on teams and loved the water to get his attention.”
“Silly, huh?”
“Not at all. I joined the military to become what my father wasn’t.”
“What made you decide to go into the CID?”
His gaze narrowed. “A friend of mine died in a violent crime on post. I wanted to right that wrong.”
Stephanie heard the pain in his voice. “I’m sorry, Brody.” She expected him to share more about what had happened, but he stared at the water and remained silent.
Once The Princess was secured at the small dock on the island, they headed to the picnic area. Keith and the others soon joined them there.
Ted and Nikki had paired up. Paul stood next to Cindy and listened while Keith gave an overview of the itinerary.
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