Burden of Proof

by DiAnn Mills

“Russell told me they deeded their Florida condo to her. It’s in the will.”

  “Not exactly a fair inheritance,” April said.

  “Nothing about the Lennox family works on fair or Christian values. Why Mrs. Lennox stayed married to Mr. Lennox and allowed her kids to be abused is beyond me.” He shook his head. “I’m rambling like an old woman.”

  “And I need to get back to town. Can’t forget that I want to get an audience with Brenda.”

  “In the meantime, I’m going to make a list of all those considered to be Willis’s victims. Dad can help me with details. He and Mom haven’t been separated in years, and I’m sure he’s down.” The two men needed each other for support.

  Jason’s phone rang: Tessa.

  33

  JASON TAPPED SPEAKER on the call from Tessa Barker. April had a way of seeing things differently than he did.

  “Jason, this is Tessa. I found interesting footage on our security camera. Can you meet with me and my husband at our office?”

  They needed a break. “Sure. I have an FBI agent friend with me. Mind if she comes along?”

  “Sounds like a good idea. We’re here now. We’ll see you in a little while.”

  The call ended, and he turned to April. “This could give us the answers we need to find out who killed Russell and maybe even kidnapped Isabella.”

  “I hope so,” she said. “The people of Sweet Briar need peace . . . especially you.”

  Jason drove toward City and Country Glass Company, near Woodville.

  Nate and Tessa Barker met them outside their office and showroom. Jason had talked to the middle-aged couple at chamber of commerce events. Good people, but when he requested a bid for a building project, their prices were higher than his current vendors. Nate had recently recovered from a massive heart attack, and his weight loss had taken ten years off his appearance. Tessa, thin as a fence post, still looked the same.

  After shaking hands and sharing a few pleasantries, Nate invited them inside and locked the door.

  Nate ushered April to a desktop computer. Once she was seated, he gave her the credentials to access the security footage.

  “A few hours ago, I found this,” Nate said. “Our security system is closed-circuit, not monitored or anything. Scroll to the 10:05 p.m. time stamp. It’s after the crime took place, and we were closed.”

  When April found the footage, Jason watched the video with her. A man in a black hoodie appeared at the side entrance of City and Country’s warehouse. Average height and build. No visible facial features. He pulled something from his sweatshirt pocket and inserted it in the lock. The door opened.

  “I haven’t figured out why the alarm didn’t signal.” Nate wrapped his arms over his chest.

  April studied the screen. “The system could have been hacked.” The frame ticked by.

  Nate typed. “This is thirty minutes later.”

  April zoomed in.

  The man exited the warehouse with a piece of glass. A replacement the night of Russell’s death meant the installer already knew the custom size required for the office window. Once there, he’d have cleaned up the broken shards, positioned the push points in the four corners to hold the frame, added putty, and completed the project.

  Jason added up two more crimes—theft and breaking and entering.

  “I’d like your permission to copy this and send it to the FBI,” April said.

  “Go ahead.” Nate sorted through a desk drawer and produced a flash drive. “When you identify the thief, I’m filing charges.”

  April jotted Simon’s number on the back of her business card. “I suggest contacting Special Agent Neilson and telling him you want to report the crime.”

  Nate took the information with a promise to contact Simon as soon as they departed. Jason breathed in and slowly let it out. They’d made a little progress.

  34

  A LITTLE BEFORE 8 P.M. ON SATURDAY, April drove Ted’s truck into Sweet Briar. Jason remained in seclusion with the assignment of making a list of all those in the area who’d experienced Willis’s bullying and possible illegal tactics.

  Darkness covered most of the sleepy town, but the business area hosted electrical poles to keep the downtown lit. One such stood near a small barn-replica structure with a welcoming porch filled with pots of blooming mums. Krew Real Estate Office in slanted country letters hung above the door.

  April turned off the ignition and exited the truck.

  Before she could reach the door, Willis emerged from the shadows. “Evenin’, Agent Ramos. I see you haven’t left Sweet Briar.”

  “It’s a nice town to visit. Most of the people are friendly.”

  “You’re out of your element here.”

  “How? I’m just taking a few days off to rest and relax.”

  He snorted. “Right. Jason’s on the loose, but I hear he’s in the vicinity. It’s just a matter of time before I find him. The FBI’s plumb stupid to free him of murder charges. Be sure to tell him I don’t take the same line. He’ll make a mistake, and I’ll be right there to handle it.”

  She’d had enough of his threats. Her placating style ended. “Sweet Briar isn’t your corner of the universe, Sheriff Lennox. You kill an innocent man, you face murder charges.”

  “I have many ways of getting what I want.” He punched each word.

  “Are you threatening me again? I’ve seen you in action, and I’ve reported your misconduct.”

  “You mean my responsibility to take down a fugitive? I’ve already turned you in to the FBI, told them you tricked me while I was trying to do my duty. Held me at gunpoint. I’m giving a fellow law enforcement official a warning. Accidents can happen to anyone when they’re in unfamiliar territory.”

  “Willis, I’m quite aware of what you can do to those who get in your way. Your lies will soon catch up.” She stared into his fleshy face. “Or perhaps they already have.”

  He tapped the brim of his hat. “Have a fine talk with Brenda. She’s expecting you.” He disappeared into the darkness.

  Shaking off Willis’s arrogance, she pasted on a smile and stepped into the real estate office. The antiques and farm decor might make potential clients comfortable, but not an FBI agent on a mission.

  “Brenda Krew?”

  An expressionless woman in her midforties looked up from typing on a laptop. “You must be Special Agent April Ramos.” The woman stood and stuck out her hand, and April reciprocated. Brenda had spiked black hair and wore designer jeans and a white blouse with an abundance of turquoise jewelry. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Willis. It’s a pleasure.” Brenda’s green eyes lacked luster. “Won’t you sit down? Sorry about not returning your call. Saturday is one of my busiest days.”

  April eased onto a blue chair across from a white sawbuck desk. She reached inside her purse for her phone. “I won’t take much of your time. As I said in my messages, I have a few questions about Jason Snyder. Do you mind if I record our conversation?”

  “I’ve been advised to guard what I say and not to have my words end up in an audio file. Unless you want to have this conversation with my attorney present.” Brenda pushed a pad of paper and pen with Krew Real Estate printed on both toward April. “You can use this.”

  Her nails were manicured in dark purple, not the chipped red Ted reported the kidnapper wore. But a fresh coat of paint covered a multitude of sins.

  April dropped her phone back into her purse. If Brenda had phoned the FBI to accuse Jason of assisting in his wife’s death, her voice recording could be used as a comparison. Although the woman didn’t have a husky voice like the kidnapper, the tone could be affected.

  “I’ll get right to the point,” April said. “I’m curious about the real Jason Snyder. I’m hoping you can help me sort through some of the statements from local people.”

  Brenda touched her throat. “Of course. But I have a business to run.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’ll do my best to expedite my questions.
” April dated the empty page on the Krew Real Estate pad and printed Brenda’s name. “Have you always lived in Sweet Briar?”

  “All my life.”

  “How long have you known Jason Snyder?”

  “He and his parents attend my church.”

  “Is it safe to say you’re well acquainted with him?”

  “I’ve sold land to those who wanted Jason to build them a home.”

  “Can you describe his temperament?”

  “Short fuse. No one in Sweet Briar deliberately makes him mad.”

  April glanced up. “Does he become physical?”

  “I’m not aware of physical assaults, but someone murdered Russell.” She scratched the side of her neck. “I hear the charges have been dropped. But I’m entitled to my own opinion. It makes sense Jason’s guilty since he was with him. According to our sheriff, he’s unpredictable, a menace to our town.”

  “The law demands evidence. To the best of your knowledge, have there been any problems with his construction business?”

  She leaned back in her chair. “He’s expensive. Shoddy workmanship.”

  “But you’ve sold land to those who’ve engaged Jason to build them a home.”

  “I tried to talk them out of it and go with a contractor outside of Sweet Briar. Their choice, really. I deal in real estate, not construction.”

  “He’s received several awards for his outstanding building designs.”

  Brenda stiffened. “If you want facts about Jason and his construction company, I suggest talking to Willis.”

  She’d signaled with her body language at least three indications of nervousness and possibly lying. “I’d like the names of your clients and those who’ve experienced problems with Mr. Snyder.”

  “Your request would take a considerable amount of time, and I’m extremely busy. My notes are scattered in physical and online files. Most are here, but some are at home.”

  “Do I need to request a search warrant?”

  Brenda glared. “I’ll add the task to my list.”

  “I’d like the information by 10 a.m. Monday.”

  Brenda reddened. “I have appointments—”

  “They can be rescheduled.” When Brenda opened her mouth again, April gave her no time to interrupt. “What can you tell me about Willis Lennox?”

  “He’s a very smart man, a voice of authority in the community and church.”

  “Are you two dating?”

  “Seriously? He has a wife and son.” Brenda closed her eyes dramatically. “We share an occasional coffee and work together on various committees. Nothing else.”

  “Where are his wife and son?”

  “Good question. Willis is extremely distraught about their absence.”

  “So he discusses his personal life with you?”

  “Are we finished? I haven’t had dinner.” Brenda began to stack papers on her desk, putting some of them into her briefcase.

  “Neither have I. Want to grab a bite together?”

  “No thanks.”

  “I’m buying.”

  Brenda ignored her. She reached for a small piece of blank paper and knocked it onto the floor. April bent from her chair to retrieve the paper and flipped it over in the process. A photo. Smiling at the camera was a young woman, one April had seen in a Houston donut shop, the same person who’d shoved Isabella Snyder into her arms. “What a beautiful young woman. Your daughter?”

  Brenda snatched the photo and slipped it into her briefcase. “Yes.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “I keep my daughter out of my affairs. She doesn’t live in Sweet Briar.”

  “Where does she live?”

  “None of your business.”

  “We always want to protect our loved ones. Mr. Snyder is very concerned about the welfare of his daughter, especially since the kidnapping.”

  “It’s a parent’s job. Good night, Agent Ramos.”

  April scooted back her chair. “Thanks for seeing me. Have a great dinner.” She left the real estate office and walked to Ted’s truck. After getting on the road en route to the elder Snyders’ home, she called Simon and rehashed the conversation. “I’d appreciate it if you’d try to match Brenda’s voice mail against the woman claiming to be Vicki Snyder.”

  “If you’re lucky and come out of this without destroying your career, you might consider giving up hostage negotiation and public corruption to work homicide.”

  “We’ll see if I survive—professionally. Ted probably knows the daughter’s name.” April paused and reviewed the conversation. “Brenda said her daughter doesn’t live in Sweet Briar, which makes sense because Jason didn’t recognize her.”

  “I’ll dig into locating her from my end.”

  “Seems like Jason and I are caught in the middle of a sewage retention pond. You demonstrated no surprise when Jason indicated Willis might have disposed of a body.”

  “It’s a factor in the investigation.”

  “Really, Simon? When will those factors be revealed?”

  “Soon. Hold on a bit longer, and keep Jason from going all vigilante on me. I wouldn’t enjoy tossing him in jail.”

  April released a pent-up breath. So much for peaceful small-town living. Next on her agenda was a chat with Ted about Brenda Krew.

  Jason leaned on the hood of his truck and stared into the darkness. A flying squirrel scampered past, a nocturnal creature who’d earned its name not by actually flying but by jumping from one high branch to another. He listened to the night sounds, frogs and insects competing in a chorus to see who could outsing the other. But the choir and occasional swoosh of brush lulled his mind to a place where he could reason and rest.

  God had brought him through Lily’s death, Billie and Zack’s escape, Russell’s death, and Isabella’s kidnapping. God would take care of the justice part with Willis. His faith . . . such a fragile thread when he needed a lifeline.

  After April had driven away, he’d talked to Dad and compiled a list of actions where Willis had crossed the legal line and gotten away with it. Names, dates, and a brief explanation of each incident had occupied Jason’s time.

  A few thoughts about the glass installer stayed fixed in his mind. He couldn’t do much in the way of private investigation when his gas tank was running on fumes. He needed to drive to a twenty-four-hour convenience store and gas station in Woodville, about fifteen miles away. Would have to take a gamble on Willis or one of his men finding an excuse to stop him.

  He’d fill up his tank. Then he had a stop to make.

  35

  JASON FILLED UP HIS TRUCK at the twenty-four-hour Check Point in Woodville and attempted to avoid security cameras. But the front license plates were visible, and he paid for the gas with a credit card. Keeping out of the public eye was a myth.

  On his way back to Sweet Briar, he phoned Tessa Barker. “You mentioned your sons are the installers. Have you ever used anyone else?”

  “About a year ago when Nate had his heart attack, we hired two installers temporarily.”

  “Would they have been given an access code to the warehouse?”

  “No. We handled their comings and goings.”

  “Can you give me their names?”

  “I’ll look them up and send you their addresses and phone numbers. Or should I send the info to Agent Ramos?”

  “Both.” He and April were a team. “Thanks.”

  Jason drove into Sweet Briar with caution aimed in every direction. This might not be a smart move. Under the guise of using the Internet, Jason wanted to check on his dad and see if he could change his mind about FBI protection. Dad was expecting him, and the garage door was raised so he could pull into the spot where the old truck normally sat.

  Expelling a deep breath, he listened for the grounding of the garage door on the cement and switched off the engine. So much had gone wrong in the last forty-eight hours, pelting him from every direction.

  Tessa’s text landed in his phone with the names of the t
wo men who’d helped out during Nate’s recovery. Both were from Woodville. Stepping into the kitchen, he smelled fresh coffee and the tantalizing aroma of chicken potpie, his favorite food. His stomach growled.

  Dad sat at the kitchen table with the laptop ready for Jason to use. “You made it in one piece.”

  Jason plastered on a grin. “Still driving a truck with stolen plates. Need to return them before I’m arrested.”

  He stood. “Your food’s ready. Planning to eat while you do your online research? You mentioned this was about finding who replaced the glass at your office?”

  “Yes. April and I talked to Tessa Barker this evening, and the conversations stirred up a few questions.”

  Dad set a full cup and a sizzling potpie on the table. “I’m going to bed. Long day. Holler if you need me.”

  “I’d feel a whole lot better if you were with Mom and Isabella.”

  “Nope.”

  “Dad, you’re walking a dangerous path.”

  “Not going there.”

  “What will it take?”

  “God telling me I’m an old fool.”

  “Sleep on it.” Jason powered the laptop to life. Might as well get online. Whoever had done the installation had agreed to a late-night replacement, possibly on short notice, which meant he lived in close proximity to Jason’s construction office.

  The person had probably been paid well.

  The person understood the need to keep the job secret and possibly lie about the install.

  He googled the men, but nothing hinted at infractions.

  Could Jason have been looking in the wrong place? He took a bite of food with a swallow of coffee. The Barkers’ three sons were involved in the family business. Andy was in high school—nothing on him except a Snapchat account.

  Jason typed in the oldest son, Mark. Active in the community. Led out on the City and Country website and Facebook page, a young man following in his dad’s footsteps.

  His probing turned to Hunter. Interesting, two sites indicated that for a fee, a background and criminal check was available. While April had the credentials and tools to learn what Hunter might have done, Jason wondered if the presence of the sites were an indication that the young man had a propensity to break the law.