Burden of Proof

by DiAnn Mills

  “The harvest salad.”

  She’d passed on the chicken potpie and smothered pork chops and fried apples. “A biscuit?”

  “Corn bread. With honey.”

  He’d found her Southern spot.

  The normalcy of having a meal among the people he loved relaxed him, but an empty high chair along the side wall momentarily set him back. He shoved aside the depression and raised his determination. People stopped by the table and shook his hand and encouraged him. They greeted April, too.

  The calendar was moving toward Thanksgiving, and he wanted all this behind them before smelling the turkey. Before the evening was over, he’d ask April to join him and his family for the holiday dinner. He wanted to know if what they felt for each other was linked to the danger they’d experienced together, like Simon had claimed, or if there could be something more between them. Nearly a week with this woman, and he wanted more time with her. Sure, she exasperated him at times, but differences of opinion made life . . . challenging in a good way.

  Lily, is this okay with you?

  After dinner, they strolled back to his truck. He took her cold hand into his, marveling at how small it was.

  “People will talk,” she said.

  “My self-worth is not based on what others think of me.”

  “But you haven’t forgotten what Carrie said at the funeral.”

  He shook his head. Guilt had a way of eating into his soul, regardless of being unfounded. He changed the subject. “Anything else for us tonight?”

  “Nothing on my end. I’d like you to drop me off at your parents’ home. I’m reading emails, then going to bed. My whole body is feeling the short nights.”

  “Great idea.” Tonight he’d retire to his own bed, rest up. Maybe he could sleep instead of allowing his whirling thoughts to seize control.

  “You look exhausted.” Her voice sounded sweeter tonight. “We need your brain in full gear.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The fall chill settled in his bones. This time of year brought short days, making him more tired when the sun went down. He preferred light and lots of it.

  “Talk to me a moment,” she said. “Brenda said Joey had stolen money from her and pawned an heirloom. She could have money at her office. What if Joey ransacks the real estate office?” April waved away her ramblings. “Never mind. I’m fishing for answers.”

  “We can walk over there. Not sure we can get inside, though.”

  She lifted a brow.

  “Okay, let’s do it.”

  “This is a whim, but it will drive me nuts until I check it out.”

  His phone rang. “It’s Edwardo.” He tapped his phone to answer his foreman. “April, wait on me.”

  She shook her head and mouthed, “See you there.”

  60

  APRIL PICKED UP HER PACE toward Krew Real Estate. She preferred being stupid by herself. The farther she walked, the more she questioned if her hunch came from a divine nudge, a professional evaluation, or simply a lack of sleep. Had she officially headed into the why-isn’t-this-case-resolved zone?

  The dark real estate office was nestled beneath a canopied oak tree that still held tightly to its leaves. The blinds were closed. April tiptoed up the three steps to the small porch and twisted the doorknob. Locked, as it should be. With the stealth of her training, she descended the steps and crept around the small building to the rear door. She inwardly moaned. She’d walked straight into a rosebush with thorns, adding a few more open sores to the top of her hand.

  The back door refused to budge. The rear window was locked. She’d hold off using her own methods of gaining entrance until Jason joined her.

  She walked toward the front and took in her surroundings. Splotchy areas of light danced shadows on the street. Rustling behind her caused her to whirl around.

  Someone rushed toward her. Too late in reacting, she felt a knife scrape down her left shoulder and arm.

  April grabbed the attacker’s wrist and twisted until the woman screamed. The knife fell to the ground. April pinned the woman’s arms around her back. “Start walking.” She pushed the assailant.

  The woman struggled against April’s hold. She yanked up on the woman’s arm, and she cried out again.

  An image of Willis breaking Jason’s bone flashed. “If you don’t want a broken arm, I suggest putting one foot in front of the other,” April said. “I’m not in the mood to play around.” She shoved the woman ahead.

  “You’ll regret this.”

  The voice sounded husky. “Who are you?”

  “None of your business. Does your shoulder hurt?”

  It stung, but she wouldn’t admit it. Half a block down, April spotted Jason heading her way. She welcomed the sight of him. Blood dripped down her arm. She probably needed stitches.

  “Who do you have here?” he said when they met up. He startled. “Joey Frederickson.”

  April released a breath, a mix of relief and pain. “I haven’t seen her face. Would you take over for me?”

  Jason turned the woman to face April.

  “Joey Frederickson, you are under arrest . . .”

  She grabbed cuffs inside her shoulder bag and secured Joey while her left arm throbbed. A text sailed into her phone. Simon.

  Billie & Zack arrived in Houston. She signed a statement about what she saw the night the agent disappeared. Asked her not 2 contact anyone until assured all arrests have been made.

  Maybe Jason should consider law enforcement because helping April apprehend Joey Frederickson, the woman who’d kidnapped his daughter, gave him a jolt of adrenaline. He grabbed Joey’s arm and noted blood on the sleeve of April’s sweatshirt.

  He tightened his grip on Joey. “She did this?”

  “Surprised me with a knife from behind.”

  Joey huffed. “Too bad I missed her.”

  “You need to get something to slow the bleeding.” He eyed Joey. “Did you sneak up on your mother? Slam a candlestick onto her head?”

  “You won’t find my fingerprints.”

  The fall temps cooled the heat in his face. “You answered my question. You’ve been one busy gal.”

  April got Simon on the phone. “I’ve arrested Joey Frederickson. Could use a little help. We’re at Brenda Krew’s real estate office on Oake Drive.”

  She closed her eyes and wished she could take comfort in Jason’s arms.

  “You don’t have Willis,” Joey said. “He’s smarter than all of you combined.”

  61

  APRIL WISHED JASON could be privy to Joey’s interview, but regulations prohibited it. He could jeopardize any confession with an outburst. They stood outside the real estate office with Joey in cuffs.

  “You need medical attention,” Simon said. “I’ll handle the questioning.”

  “This interview needs two agents,” she said. “A few more minutes without doctoring won’t matter.”

  Simon swung to Jason. “Can you persuade her to listen to reason?”

  “Forget it.”

  To their advantage, Joey hadn’t requested an attorney. The four of them drove to the sheriff’s office. Once situated in a small interview room, April attempted to shove away the pain battling against her entire body. She removed Joey’s handcuffs in hopes of garnering her trust. Jason waited in the front office with Kevin and Griff.

  “Joey, you’ve been charged with several serious crimes,” April began, mustering up her negotiating skills. “Assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and an accomplice to a murder. I’d like to help you secure a lesser sentence by enlisting your cooperation.”

  The same green eyes as Brenda’s, except Joey’s eyes were hollow and dilated. Dry, brittle hair hung loosely around her shoulders. She sniffed continuously. How sad so many people fell to addictions.

  “I’m innocent of anything illegal,” Joey said. “You came after me, and I defended myself.”

  It wasn’t worth arguing this point when they needed Joey to confess to bigger crimes
. April tilted her head. “Joey, you held a gun on Vicki and Ted Snyder and kidnapped their granddaughter. You shoved Isabella into my arms in Houston.”

  “I won’t be charged with kidnapping when Jason Snyder is a fugitive for murder.”

  Distorted thinking. “The FBI exonerated him. Are you ready to help us bring justice to the community?”

  Joey licked her lips. “What kind of cooperation?”

  “I need you to answer a few questions for us. If you give us appropriate answers, we can talk to the judge on your behalf.”

  “Is Mom okay?”

  She studied the young woman. Was she expressing any remorse?

  “Your mother nearly died,” April said. “The doctors aren’t sure if there’s permanent brain damage. She’s regained consciousness, but she’s unable to speak or write. Are you responsible for her injuries?”

  Joey jerked. “She planned to call the cops. Tell them I was in Sweet Briar. Said she had proof I’d been involved in crimes that would give me prison time. How could she have her own daughter arrested?” Her eyes blazed. “I guess it was no big surprise since she abandoned me to my dad.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve had a rough life.”

  Joey stiffened. “Dad tried really hard. Can’t blame him for my problems. Brenda Krew gave me up so she wouldn’t have to pay child support.”

  “I’m glad your father was there for you.”

  “I should have listened to him when Mom asked me to come back to this—” Joey swore in her description of Sweet Briar. “Dad said if I left, not to come back. But Mom offered a car and to pay my fines. Even paid the rent on my apartment in Houston. At the time it seemed like only a fool would refuse.”

  “Why were you at your mother’s home the night she was hurt?”

  She cursed. “Money. The witch refused to give me what I deserved. All those years Dad raised me alone. She owed me. Still does.”

  “My mother makes me furious,” April said. “Tries to boss me around.”

  “Yeah, you got it.” She tapped chipped red nails on the table.

  “When your mother made you angry, did you hit her in the back of the head?”

  She frowned. “I don’t remember.”

  “Did you find what you were looking for?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “So you lost control and hit her?”

  She nodded. “It was her fault, though. She kept telling me I could get help.”

  “Joey, what were you going to do with Isabella in Houston?”

  “Raise her myself. Be a better mother than Brenda.” She narrowed her gaze at April. “She cried until I thought I’d lose my mind.”

  “You did the right thing by giving her to me.” April kept her voice devoid of feelings. Isabella wasn’t a pet but a child. “Why was Isabella important to you?”

  “A man promised me a lot of money.”

  “Willis Lennox?”

  “He said he’d kill me if I ever used his name, but I’m already in so much trouble.”

  “Willis paid you to kidnap Isabella Snyder?”

  Joey seemed to crumple under the pressure. “Yes. Paid me three grand.”

  “Where’s the money?”

  Joey shook her head. “Gone.”

  Like water when buying drugs. “Where is the gun you used to kidnap Isabella Snyder?”

  “Gave it back to Willis.”

  “What kind of make?”

  “A .22.”

  That matched the description Ted noted, but it wasn’t the same gun used to kill Russell.

  “Okay.” April nodded. “Why did Willis pay you to kidnap Isabella?”

  “He told me Jason Snyder had taken his wife and son from him. Maybe even killed them. Snyder’s daughter deserved a good mother. He said I’d be perfect.” She faced April with an air of arrogance.

  “Did you enter the bank and impersonate Ted Snyder to gain access to his safe-deposit box?”

  Joey snorted. “Whatever.”

  “Is it true?” When Joey confirmed, April pushed forward. “Where is the flash drive you found inside?”

  “Gave it to Willis.”

  “Did you view the contents?”

  “No reason to.”

  “I have another question about the night of Russell Edwards’s murder.”

  Joey waved her hand in front of her face. “I have no idea who killed the man. All I know about is what Willis paid me to do.”

  “Have you heard from him?”

  “No.” Joey swiped at her nose. “In the beginning, I thought Willis was a friend, but later he threatened me. When I drove to Houston with Isabella and called to check in, he told me Jason had shot Russell Edwards, and he’d pay with his own life. If I ever surfaced again, he’d tell the Feds what I’d done.”

  “Mr. Snyder is an honorable man who loves his daughter. Mr. Edwards was his best friend.”

  “Are you saying Willis is the killer?”

  “This is a fact-finding mission. And the sheriff has been charged with other crimes. Your testimony will assist the FBI’s case against Willis.”

  “My mom said he was a nice man.” Her shoulders slumped. “I thought so too.”

  “Do you know of any others who took orders from Willis to conduct illegal activities?”

  “No. Just me.”

  “Is there anything you’d like to say?”

  “Tell Mom I’m . . . No, nothing else.”

  How sad for mother and daughter.

  Unless Willis confessed to pulling the trigger on Russell or definitive proof could be uncovered, the FBI had no case on that matter.

  Jason listened to April report what she could about Joey’s interview. Justice had surfaced like rich cream. While the results of the interrogation might not have been exactly what Jason wanted, he valued the confession.

  While April and Simon finished the questioning and placed Joey in protective custody, Jason took a walk outside to clear his head.

  An insistence to forgive Joey refused to leave him alone.

  It felt impossible. The woman had taken his child, frightened his parents, stolen evidence, attacked her own mother, and that didn’t even take into consideration any drugs she’d done.

  Yet the nudging persisted no matter how much he fought it.

  All right, God. I see where You’re taking me.

  Willis’s actions rose in his thoughts as well as Hunter Barker and Vic Henley. All had broken the law. All would be facing a judge. If Jason chose not to forgive, he’d be a prisoner in his own cell. Vengeance had destroyed too many lives. With a prayer for strength, Jason silently forgave them.

  Another poke at his heart prompted him to forgive himself for those moments with Lily when he could’ve done more, said more.

  He’d heard adversities were classrooms for spiritual growth and positive change—a purpose and a plan beyond the current situation. Didn’t make this any easier to bear. For certain, he’d never look at life quite the same.

  Next stop—the hospital. April’s arm still needed medical attention.

  62

  ONCE AGAIN APRIL FOUND HERSELF in Tyler County Hospital’s ER. “I’m thinking of taking up residence here,” she said to the same doctor who’d examined her when Jason broke his arm.

  She gritted her teeth during the six stitches, the numbing shot having failed to meet expectations. Or maybe her body was tired of fighting cuts and bruises.

  Simon and Jason watched like helpless little boys.

  “Can’t you do more for her pain?” Jason practically growled.

  “I’ll prescribe a pain reliever.” The doctor peered into her face. “Do you have plenty from the other prescription?”

  “I haven’t filled it.”

  “Figures.” Simon paced the room.

  The doctor glanced at them. “I’ll give you an injection until a pharmacy opens tomorrow.”

  Simon crossed his arms over his chest. “April, in the morning, you’re driving home. I’ve had enough.”

  �
�No way, big brother,” she said. “I’m not finished here.”

  “You’re a candidate for a convalescence center.” Jason’s words brought a smile to her lips.

  Afterward, Simon drove them back to Sweet Briar to drop her off at the elder Snyders’ home and then to retrieve Jason’s truck.

  Jason walked her to the door and unlocked it. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I can put myself to bed.”

  “I’d feel better sleeping on the couch.”

  “Sweet, but not necessary.”

  “This country boy understands the meaning of chivalry.”

  April sensed the effects of the doctor’s injection for pain and sleep. She wouldn’t know what Jason chose to do until morning.

  April woke to the smell of coffee and the distinct aroma of frying bacon—validation Jason was busying himself in the kitchen. With both vehicles in the driveway, neighbors would believe the worst . . . and Miss Ella. Then again, if the people of Sweet Briar followed the news, they’d been gossiping before last night.

  She turned and moaned aloud. Every inch of her ached in protest to her BBB—bruised, battered body.

  Ten minutes later, she finally succeeded in rolling out of bed, literally, and hoped the crash didn’t send Jason racing up the stairs. Which he did. Flinging open the door, he knelt at her side.

  “I’m fine. This was the easiest way for me to get out of bed. I just missed putting my feet there first.” She closed her eyes. “Jason, out of here. I’m wearing pajamas.”

  “My mother’s, and I’ve seen them plenty of times.”

  “Not me in them. Go on downstairs. Breakfast smells lovely. I’ll dress and join you.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “’Cause you’re as stubborn as I am. Okay, wait for me at the stairs.”

  “I have your prescription. The pharmacist advises you eat first.”

  Nearly fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom dressed for the day. She linked her arm with his. “Thanks for being my knight in shining armor.”

  “Since my problem caused the multiple cuts and bruises, it’s the least I can do. If Simon were here, he’d cuff you and drive back to Houston.”