Burden of Proof

by DiAnn Mills

  April took his hand. “The FBI were successful in arresting Willis for his crimes. I believe Russell’s killer will surface too.”

  He glanced into the dark night. “Has Willis confessed to why he murdered Eric Deckett?”

  “Won’t give up his not-guilty plea. Says the killer framed him and to look into your whereabouts. It appears the owner of the bar where Eric Deckett was last seen originally had a lapse of memory of what happened the night Deckett was killed until he learned of Willis’s arrest.”

  “What’s he saying now?”

  “Deckett and Willis had an argument. Willis flipped over a barstool and stomped out. Eric waited about fifteen minutes before leaving.”

  Although innocent until proven guilty, Willis had committed far too many crimes in Sweet Briar, Jason was confident. Just not the one that kept Jason wondering. But he had no intentions of ever giving up on who killed Russell.

  Push it aside. Isabella’s coming home.

  “Tomorrow morning, I’ll have my daughter. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  “We will find out who killed your best friend.”

  65

  FRIDAY MORNING, Jason paced his kitchen like a caged animal, and he knew it. Pink balloons dangled from the ceiling. Pink and purple streamers were draped from corner to corner. Isabella would think the celebration was another birthday party.

  Having his daughter home brought more joy than all her future milestones. He stopped to stare out at the road, anticipating agents pulling into his driveway with his baby girl.

  He shook his head and turned to April. “What if she’s upset after the agents dropped Mom and Dad off in town?”

  April brushed her hand over his arm, a familiar touch of caring. “The sight of home and her daddy will dry any tears. Besides, your parents wanted the reunion to be the two of you. Why I’m here is a mystery.”

  “Because you helped make it all possible.” He smiled at the tiny woman who’d captured his heart—black eyes, bruises, stitches, and filled with compassion for others. He liked her hair in a ponytail. She looked downright cute. “And you do a great job of blowing up balloons and picking out cupcakes.”

  “Thanks, I think.” She giggled, and he relished the sound.

  “When are you driving back to Houston?”

  “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “I’d rather make plans, concentrate on us. How’s that for subtlety?”

  She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. “A few more days in Sweet Briar sounds wonderful.”

  As he drew her to him, Simon’s words of “No relationship lasts when it begins with danger and supercharged emotions” drilled into his brain. He wouldn’t bring up the future. She had responsibilities with the FBI, and he built houses. The dilemma would have to wait.

  Jason kissed her lightly, pulling away in time to see a white Lincoln Town Car turn in to his driveway from the road. “They’re here.” Grabbing April’s hand with his left, Jason hurried through the kitchen to the back door, across the porch, down the steps, and toward his Isabella. He swallowed the lump thickening his throat. Isabella would always bring tears to his eyes.

  The vehicle seemed to approach in slow motion. But it finally stopped where he and April stood. She let go of his hand.

  The engine ceased to hum.

  The click of the power locks.

  A female agent stepped out of the rear passenger side, the woman who’d escorted his daughter to safety. She greeted him and April before moving aside and gesturing for him to release Isabella from a car seat.

  Isabella reached for him, and the musical sound of “Da” met his ears.

  She wore pink corduroy pants and a pink-and-white sweater. Her blonde curls were swept back with a huge bow. His girl.

  “Hey, sweet girl. Welcome home.” His fingers fumbled in unlatching the seat belt.

  And then Isabella nestled in his arms. Where she belonged.

  April watched father and daughter catch up from the days apart. Isabella clung to Jason for several minutes, but the familiar sights and sounds won out. Fluffy wagged his tail until she wiggled to be on the floor beside the boxer. Isabella hugged the dog, and Jason grinned. She crawled all over the kitchen, ending her adventure by spotting her high chair and reaching for Jason to place her inside.

  He tied a bib around her neck. “Daddy is breaking his rule of healthy snacks. We’re having white cupcakes.” He kissed the top of her head. “We did the same thing a few weeks ago for your birthday, but who’s keeping track?”

  A few moments later, with frosting smeared all over her face, she signed, Done. He cleaned her face and set her on the floor. “Ball,” she said.

  “It’s a balloon, sweetheart. But they’re for you to look at, not play with. They will go straight into your mouth unless I’m with you.” Jason turned to April. “Life doesn’t get much better than this. Every moment of the nightmare was worth this. And having you to share it with me.” He sighed. “I’m pressuring you, being presumptuous. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” she said. “Our ordeal became a time for me to get right with God and dream about a special man and his daughter.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Before you leave next week, we’ll have to figure out how to—”

  She covered his lips. “Commute? Take Isabella to the zoo? Share ice cream? Picnics? Watch baby-friendly TV shows together? Hike through these thick woods?”

  He nodded. “All of what you said and more. Will you return for Thanksgiving? I heard Mom and Dad say the guest room has your name on it.”

  “I’d like to. I have much to be thankful for this year.”

  “Me too. I just wish we knew who killed Russell.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to think about it right now.”

  She pointed to Isabella speed-crawling across the room to Fluffy. “Look at her go.”

  He laughed at Isabella’s little rear swaying. She pushed on Fluffy and slowly stood. An impish grin met them.

  Jason knelt on the floor about six feet from her and held out his arms. “Walk to Daddy, Isabella,” he said. “What are you waiting for?”

  April yanked out her phone and slid the camera’s setting to Video.

  Isabella wobbled as though she’d crawl to him. She caught her balance and righted herself. Jason coaxed her again.

  One step.

  Two steps.

  Isabella reached Jason’s arms. Her first steps with Jason coaxing her all the way.

  April’s mind swept back to when Joey had pushed Isabella into her arms, how she fell in love with the sweet baby, met Jason, realized his innocence in a murder case, and started down the dangerous path to finding evidence to convict a crooked sheriff and those who’d fallen prey to his tactics.

  Looking around the country kitchen, a scenic view in every direction, she wanted Jason’s life free from the horror that had stalked him. But unanswered questions still dangled like Isabella’s balloons.

  66

  APRIL CLEANED UP THE KITCHEN while Jason played with Isabella. He’d protested, but she won the round. Daddy and daughter needed special time together. April etched in memory the two building a house with large LEGOs. She wanted the day to go on forever. A dream for the future.

  Since Jason and Isabella had walked into her life, she’d found God and made progress in eliminating the guilt over Benson’s suicide. She’d done her best in persuading him life had more to offer, but he’d made his decision. More and more, she was pulling away from the guilt.

  Soon the three were on the road to see Carrie. Jason had felt guilty that Carrie lost Russell and now Willis, and he hadn’t checked in on her. He asked April to accompany him to Carrie’s house, where she was expecting them.

  “Are you heading back to work tomorrow?” April said.

  “Yes. I don’t normally work on Saturday, but we’ve been shorthanded, and a new home is nearly completed. Edwardo deserves a bonus for pulling together the crew.”

  “Can I keep Isabella some o
f the time while you’re working? I don’t officially head back to work until next Thursday. I know you like for her to be with you. But I could come to the house so she’d feel comfortable.”

  “Absolutely. Great idea. We could do lunch together too.”

  “Oh, when you see Romeo, tell him I’ll never set foot in his domain again.”

  He laughed. She loved the sound—real and pain-free.

  Carrie was sitting on the front porch swing when they arrived. She rose to meet them. She looked a little thin. April knew she’d need counseling and lots of support. Jason hugged her and so did April.

  “I apologize for what I said to you at the funeral,” Carrie said to April.

  “It’s fine. I just want us to be friends.”

  “Thank you for your grace.” Carrie touched her mouth at the sight of Isabella. “My sweet baby girl.” Jason placed his daughter in Carrie’s arms. Tears streamed down her face. “You’re home, and I’ll always take care of you. No one will separate us again.”

  April stole a look at Jason. He frowned. What did Carrie mean? Maybe the two had an arrangement about Carrie staying active in Isabella’s life.

  “Come inside.” Carrie clung to Isabella. “I started a scrapbook about Russell, and I wanted your opinion about a few of the photos. I can’t figure out who some of the people are.”

  “We can’t stay long,” he said. “Where are the boys? I thought they’d be home.”

  “Kevin picked them up for ice cream with his kids. I probably shouldn’t have let them go, but they’ve been through so much, and they deserve playtime.”

  “A wise decision,” April said. “Let them be children for as long as possible.”

  Carrie’s features softened. “I think we’ll be great friends. Lily was my one and only.”

  The scent of pumpkin bread wafted through the house. “Smells like Thanksgiving came early,” April said. “My mouth is watering. Do you share recipes?”

  Carrie carried Isabella into the kitchen and pushed the button on the coffeemaker. “Only with very good friends and family.” She faced Jason and planted a kiss on Isabella’s cheek. “Have you changed your will to give me guardianship of Isabella?”

  April drew her brow down at another inappropriate comment. Had Carrie’s sorrow made her delusional?

  “There’s no need,” he said.

  “Lily wanted me to have her.”

  “My parents are named as guardians.”

  “They aren’t getting any younger,” Carrie said.

  “I think we’ll take a rain check on the coffee and bread,” Jason said. “Isabella’s tired. This is her first day home, and she needs to be in her own bed.”

  As if on cue, his daughter reached for him, but Carrie pulled her back. “I have a crib ready. Please stay. I apologize for my comments.”

  He hesitated.

  April supported Jason either way. This had to be tough.

  “I really need your help with Russell’s scrapbook. Just a few minutes, please.”

  He took a deep breath. “All right. I’ll take Isabella upstairs.” Jason took his daughter.

  “Of course. Follow me.”

  He reached into the diaper bag and retrieved a prepared bottle. Glancing at April, he shook his head. “We won’t be here much longer.”

  Carrie led the way to the second floor to a nursery decorated for a little girl. Pale-pink walls, a pink teddy bear, pink-and-white rabbit, a pink-shaded lamp on a white dresser. How very strange when her youngest was a boy and in kindergarten.

  “Carrie, are you pregnant?” Jason said.

  “No. I did this for Isabella. I’ll keep her while you’re working.”

  “I wish you’d have talked to me about this,” Jason said, concern evident in his words. “Isabella is fine in our current arrangement.”

  “I’ve made up my mind.” Carrie smiled. “She’s happier with me.”

  An alarm triggered in April. Russell’s death, along with mental frailties, had left Carrie in a precarious situation.

  Jason laid his daughter in the crib and lightly covered her with a pink-and-white quilt. Carrie stepped in front of him and rearranged the quilt.

  “Carrie, are you taking your meds?” he said.

  She focused on his daughter. “Not anymore. Look at Isabella—her eyes are already closed.”

  “You need your medication to help you get through the grief,” he said.

  “I know what’s best for me.”

  April studied Jason. She didn’t understand Carrie’s unhealthy attitude, but he’d been around her his entire life.

  “Are you two ready for conversation?” Carrie said. “I’ve been planning your visit all day.”

  Downstairs, the three sat at the kitchen table. Carrie offered coffee and pumpkin bread, but neither Jason nor April had an appetite for them. A framed photo of Russell sat on the counter.

  “Have you reached out for grief counseling?” Jason said.

  “The pastor is looking into the right fit for me. A doctor in Woodville prescribed antidepressants, but they left my mind foggy, so I tossed them.”

  “I’m glad you have so many wonderful people in the community to walk through this with you,” April said.

  “Yes, I’m very fortunate.” Carrie rose from her chair.

  “You mentioned looking through photos,” Jason said.

  “Getting those now.” Carrie reached inside a drawer and spun toward them with a Smith & Wesson.

  “Carrie.” He bolted to his feet. “What are you doing?”

  “Finishing what I started before Russell stepped into the path of my bullet.”

  67

  CARRIE AIMED HER S&W AT APRIL. “Toss your bag this way. I know you have a gun.”

  April placed her shoulder bag on the floor and used her foot to push it to Carrie. Without hesitation, the distraught woman reached inside with her left hand and pulled out April’s Glock. She laid the S&W on the counter and switched the Glock to her right hand.

  April sensed Carrie’s anguish, the finality of a plan that in her mind would right her world. “I understand you’re upset with the loss of your husband.” She laced her words with sympathy. “Let me help you find someone who can guide you through the tragedies.”

  “I hate Jason.” Carrie tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

  April played along. “He makes me angry too.”

  “He took Lily away from me and tried to take Russell, too.”

  “How, Carrie?”

  “He could have done more for Lily, found better doctors. I suggested an alternative method of cancer treatment, but Lily refused. Jason must have been against it. Then he offered Russell a partnership in the business. The extra hours would have taken him away from us. I had no one but my husband to help me stand up to my bullying brother, and I hate him, too.”

  April dug deep for prayer and guidance. “Russell didn’t listen to your objections?”

  She tightened her jaw. “He claimed it was for our benefit. Said we could save for the boys’ education. I asked him why being project manager wasn’t enough.”

  “So you wanted Jason gone?”

  “Not then. I wanted another baby, a girl this time, but Russell said we had enough children. Jason put him up to it. I’m sure of it.”

  Russell must have realized the extent of his wife’s mental illness. “Let me help you.”

  “You can’t. Besides, I have this worked out.”

  April ached at Carrie’s pain. “I promise this can be resolved. Just put down the gun.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t.” Her eyes flashed a wild gaze. “I learned how to avoid the law from Willis. He thought things through, and he wouldn’t be in jail now if Billie hadn’t betrayed him. The news has Billie’s testimony splattered all over the state. I’m happy, though. All those years he smothered me with his overprotectiveness finally paid off.”

  “Why don’t you and I take a walk, and we’ll figure out how to make your life easier?”r />
  “No!” She waved the Glock. “I’m going to shoot you first. Then turn my S&W on Jason.”

  “Your sons need you.” April heard the insanity in Carrie’s voice. “If you don’t stop, they not only won’t have a dad but your loving care.”

  “The law will believe I tried to save you, but Jason went crazy. He took your gun and killed you. Then I killed him to protect myself. See how simple that is?” She sneered at him. “Isabella will be mine. Lily would have wanted it this way.”

  April feared she was running out of time. She and Jason were only twelve or so feet from Carrie. If they attempted to apprehend her, someone would be shot. “You and Lily were close.”

  “Like sisters. Now she’s gone and so is Russell.” She swung her aim at Jason. “I despise you.”

  April spoke compassion into her words. “Tell me about some of the times you shared.”

  The back door in the utility room squeaked open. “Carrie?”

  April recognized Kevin’s voice. She hadn’t heard a car drive up.

  Carrie’s brown eyes widened, the same intensity as her brother’s. “Are the boys with you?”

  “They’re still playing. It’s just me and Griff. Can we come in? We’d like to talk to you.”

  “Later sounds better. I had a crying spell, and I don’t want you or Griff to see me.”

  “Jason’s truck is outside. Isn’t he with you?” Kevin said.

  “Yes, we’re—” Carrie hesitated.

  April leaped across the kitchen, tackling her to the floor. The gun fired toward Jason.

  As though in slow motion, she watched the bullet soar across the room . . . past Russell’s photo . . . past Jason’s head, missing him by mere inches . . . before it lodged in the wall.

  “Before this is over, you’re gonna see the power of Jesus.”

  Miss Ella’s words when April first arrived in Sweet Briar with Isabella.

  April pinned Carrie to the floor. Kevin took over and flipped Carrie onto her stomach, then snapped cuffs into place. Griff grabbed both guns.