Jennifer blew her nose and drew in a breath. "Yes, we were. But halfway through the movie Kathy slipped out saying she’d back later. I waited for her for almost an hour after the movie let out."
I gawked at Jennifer. "What did she say when she came back for you?"
"Nothing really. She just grinned and said it took her longer than she thought."
Astounded, I shook my head. "You didn’t ask where she’d been or what she was doing?"
Jennifer heaved a sigh. "Kathy had a bad family life. Her father was a strict disciplinarian and never let her do anything. So, whenever he’d allow it, she’d come to our house for a sleep over. But really, it was to go out with friends without her father knowing. That was her modus operandi —– sneaking out. So when she did that at the movies, I assumed she met up with a boyfriend."
I struggled to understand. "But when you got back to the house, and the police were there, you must’ve put it together. Why didn’t you tell them?"
Jennifer’s eyes went bright with fear. "Because Kathy swore she’d tell the police that we were both in on it. That if she went to jail, I would be going with her. And I believed her. She scared the hell out of me."
I sat in the pew and tried to make the story in my head fit with the story I was being told. "But that doesn’t explain why she’d do that to Rose. They were best friends — she’d have to know it would destroy Rose."
Jennifer’s eyes flashed, and she shook her head. "No, she was never Rose’s friend." She shrugged. "I believed it at first and frankly felt sorry for her, living under the thumb of her father. But after Rory came into the picture, the real Kathy emerged. There was no convincing Rose of that, however. She adored Kathy and defended her to the end."
I ran my hands through my hair. "Well if you didn’t trust Kathy, why on Earth would you go to the movies with her? Or talk to her about your concerns about Rose?"
Jennifer massaged her temples. "I don’t know. She’s a chameleon. Sometimes she could be so sweet and caring, and the next minute look like she wanted to tear your throat out." She sighed. "It was such a difficult time, and so few people understood what was happening to Rose that I turned to Kathy for solace."
Oddly, I understood that explanation because I’d had a few friends like that myself. I blew out a heavy sigh. "So Kathy ruined our lives for spite and petty jealousy?"
"I’m sure that isn’t how she saw it."
"And Father Fran? Why would he go along with the charade?"
Jennifer shrugged. "More concerned about his own skin no doubt." She took my hand and held it tight. "When you reappeared at the church again, I’m certain Kathy threatened to reveal his private adoptions. And who knows how many children were involved? He couldn’t very well tell the police you were Rose’s baby without exposing himself and his involvement."
I leaned back and shook my head as though it could make the sad truth go away. "You never once thought to go to the police and tell the truth?"
Jennifer wiped at her tears. "Of course I did. But as time went on, I only looked more guilty. I felt trapped. I was young and stupid. And by the time I came to my senses…you were gone. And no one knew where." She gave me a wary look. "That’s why I encouraged Rose to write all those letters. I thought if she could get someone to listen to her she’d find you."
I reared back. "You told her to write the letters?"
She nodded. "I wrote some of them myself. So many letters." Tears fell. "But no one cared about the ravings of two young girls." She put a tentative hand on my shoulder. " If I'd been a smarter and braver girl, none of this would ever have happened. I’m so sorry Scotti. "
And I could see that she was sorry, and I cried too. "I know."
"I wouldn’t blame you for wanting nothing more to do with me. I betrayed you and your mother in the worst way. I don’t deserve to have you in my life."
I had every right to be angry with Jennifer, even hate her, but I couldn’t punish her anymore than she'd already punished herself. "I can understand why you didn’t go to the police. But why didn’t you try to find me after Rose died?"
"I did try. But the records back then weren’t what they are today. Nothing was computerized, records were lost or misplaced or God knows where. I could never seem to get anywhere. And…" She stopped and bit her lip. "Kathy has proof."
I frowned. "Proof of what?"
Jennifer put a shaky hand on my shoulder. "She recorded our conversations about taking you to Father Fran."
"How can you be so sure? Maybe she’s lying to you."
Jennifer shook her head. "No, she’s played them for me, over the phone." She hung her head. "Whenever I got it in my head to come forward, she put me back in line."
I looked up at the stained glass windows as the afternoon sun radiated the angels to life. "Jennifer? Did Kathy kill Rose?"
Jennifer leaned against me and whispered, "I don’t know, but I’m terrified she’ll hurt you."
Chapter Sixty-Two
On the drive back to Jennifer’s house, we argued about turning in Kathy. I was spoiling for revenge, but Jennifer was concerned about the risks. Kathy, she said, was unpredictable and on anti-depressants. "She’s very spiteful."
I stared at Jennifer. "What about us? How can we have a relationship with Kathy hanging over our heads forever? If she’s as unstable as you say she is, she won’t just let us ride off into the sunset."
When the garage door opened Jennifer pulled in and turned off the engine. The automatic garage door closed with a thud. Quietly, Jennifer said, "Knowing what she did to you, are you really prepared to put your own children at risk?"
That stopped me for a minute. "She wouldn’t get anywhere near my kids."
Jennifer nodded and smiled wryly. "That’s what I thought about Jason. But she kept appearing at his school, his games, his graduation." She looked at me. "Ask your cousin about the hovering mother I was to him."
I punched the dashboard. "This has to stop Jennifer. We can’t let her win."
Jennifer stared straight ahead, but she took my hand. "Kathy knows where you live. She followed you yesterday. And then she came to my house to gloat."
That only made me more furious. "That’s why you were so weird on the phone last night?"
Jennifer smirked. "She knew it was you. She was at my house when you called her."
I faced Jennifer. "I have friends in law enforcement. They’ll help us."
Jennifer shook her head stubbornly. "No." Then she softened and put her hand on my shoulder. "Isn’t knowing the truth enough? Can’t that be enough for you?"
I threw up my hands. "Don’t you get it Jennifer? She’s spent years terrorizing you. Do you think I want her doing that to me? And what about justice for Rose? And for me? For us? Doesn’t that matter? What she took from us?" I groaned. "Why aren’t you willing to fight her? After everything she’s done?" Jennifer pursed her lips but said nothing. "If you’re afraid of going to jail, don’t be. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen."
Jennifer smiled at me and shook her head. "That’s the least of my concerns. Scotti, I’m afraid for you. If anything happened to you or your babies, or Jason…"
I slapped the dashboard. "All the more reason to go to the cops. Get her put in jail."
Jennifer turned to me and looked me straight in the eye. "And how would we do that? We’ve no proof. Just my word against hers." She shook her head. "No, there is no certainty Kathy would ever be punished for what she’s done."
Jennifer gripped the steering wheel. "There’s something else I haven’t told you… She knew."
I frowned. "Knew what?"
Jennifer grasped my hand tightly. "I should’ve told you sooner." She swallowed hard. "About you. Long before you appeared on my doorstep."
I made a face. "What do you mean? How could she?"
"There was an article about you in the newspaper. Something to do with a lawyer who was killed? And a reward?" I nodded, I’d been part of an investigation involving a friend of mine who’
d died under questionable circumstances. Jennifer waved a hand. "The article had a very good picture of you. When Kathy saw it, she knew you were Rose’s daughter." She smiled and stroked my hair. "How could you be anyone else?"
I didn’t know whether to be angry or freaked out. "You weren’t surprised when I appeared out of nowhere?"
Jennifer shook her head. "I was surprised because I never believed you’d find me. But I knew who you were from the beginning." She gave me a pained expression. "And so did Kathy."
A rush of anger coursed through me. "How could you keep it from me?"
Jennifer held up her hand. "I didn’t know how to tell you." She sighed and chewed on her lip. "I hoped she’d let it be. She was so preoccupied with her stepson’s trial, I thought she’d leave you alone." She shrugged. "Maybe if you hadn’t gone to see her, she would’ve stayed away."
I threw up my hands. "So this is my fault? She’s terrified you most of your life, what would make you think she’d leave me alone?"
Jennifer shrugged. "I guess I hoped torturing me would satisfy her."
I stopped and frowned. "Wait a minute, what trial?"
Jennifer frowned for a moment. "Her stepson was on trial for murder of all things. And he was just found guilty. I think that’s why she’s more agitated than usual."
I threw up my hands. "Spencer Atkinson is Kathy’s stepson?"
Jennifer’s head reared back. "Yes. Do you know him?"
I nodded. And all the little pieces fell together perfectly.
<<>>
I stormed into the kitchen with guns blazing. Joe and Ted jumped and jerked up their heads when the door slammed. I glared at Joe. "You son of a bitch!"
Joe jumped to his feet. "Now you hold on there, missy…"
Ted gawked at me. "Scotti!"
I spun on him. "You stay out of this Ted. You don’t know what he’s done!" Then I turned on Joe. "Atkinson asked for me, didn’t he? He wanted me on his case and you obliged him. And all this crap is your fault."
Joe lost the righteous indignation and backed onto his stool. "So, what if I did?" He squinted at me. "How’d you find that out?"
I threw up my hands. "That’s all you care about? How I found out? How about why didn’t you tell me? And more importantly, why didn’t you question why he wanted me on his case?"
Joe frowned and flapped a hand. "It wasn’t just you — he asked for me too. Saw the article about the Manston case." He hunched a shoulder. "You’re the one who thought the publicity’d do us good. And it did."
I groaned. "Good? How has this case done me any good?" I shook my head. "Don’t answer that. Did you know Kathy Morrissey is Atkinson’s stepmother?"
Joe came off his stool again. "What? No! Can’t be!"
I nodded. "Oh yes it can, and it is." I shook my fists in the air. "And if you’d stayed on my case, you would’ve known that."
I was so angry that my body was in a full-on twitch, and I gasped for air. Ted put his arm around me. "Okay, deep breath. Start at the beginning."
After I told them everything, I sneered at Joe. "That’s how that nut job knew where I lived. I gave her my card. All that crap about his mom wanting to thank me? It was a set-up." I jabbed Joe. "And you helped them!"
Joe’s face burned red. "How’s I supposed to know that? Man said he had no family, parents was dead, no siblings! Had to take him at his word!"
I lunged at Joe. "Take his word? His word? Over mine?"
Ted jumped between us and held me back. "That’s enough! We’re calling Daniels. Now!"
Chapter Sixty-Three
The interview room was colder than my walk-in, and I sat with my hands jammed under my arm pits. Ted next to me with Daniels and Reznick across from us. The box of Rose files sat on the table between us. Reznick’s skeptical brown eyes questioned me. "That’s quite a story."
I rolled my eyes at Ted and said, "Told you." To Reznick I said, "It’s not a story. It’s the truth. This woman has been terrorizing my family since I was born." I started to cry. "Now she wants to finish the job."
Daniels patted my hand. "Relax, Scotti. We believe you." He looked at Reznick, "Right, Rez?"
Reznick sighed and tapped a pen against the table top. "Has she threatened you? Made any attempts to harm you?"
My stomach churned, and I wanted to snatch the pen out of Reznick’s hand and snap it in two. "You mean has she said, I’m going to kill you? No."
Reznick pursed her lips and looked at Daniels. "Did we verify she’s Atkinson’s stepmother?"
Daniels whipped out his notepad. "No marriage license and Atkinson’s father is dead." He raised a finger. "But Enders did some cross checking and found Atkinson and Morrissey shared the same address for about ten years." He shrugged. "So potato, potahdo, right?"
Reznick chewed on her pen. "When?"
Daniels flipped through the pages. "From 93 through 2003. Atkinson Sr. died in 2003." He frowned. "Gun shot to the head — apparent suicide."
I slapped the table and pointed at them. "You see? Everybody around this woman dies."
Reznick ignored me and frowned at Daniels. "How’d we miss this?"
Daniels smirked. "We? I’m only here because Scotti’s afraid of you." Daniels held up his hands. "Okay, okay. Not funny." He scratched his chin. "According to Enders, she never showed up at the courthouse or had any contact with Atkinson’s defense team. No reason to think he was lying about his family." He shrugged. "She wasn’t a witness. Why would you guys know?"
I covered my mouth. "Shit." They turned to me. "I’m the one who should’ve known. When I was at her house, there was a computer in pieces on the table." I turned to Ted. "I was going to refer her to Eric, but she said her stepson took care of that stuff for her." I nodded. "There was a sweater on the back of a chair that I knocked to the floor. When I picked it up, I saw it was missing buttons." I looked at Reznick. "Just like the ones you guys took into evidence."
Reznick reared back. "What? What buttons?"
I pointed to the box. "There’s a picture of the buttons in there." Reznick opened the box and shuffled through the contents to find the picture. "You guys never did anything with them. Never tested them. But it bugged me. I couldn’t figure out where they came from. So I took a picture of them."
Reznick found the picture and frowned at it. "I don’t remember these."
I looked at Daniels. "She’s a scrub nurse too." Daniels shrugged and held up his hands. "A surgical nurse? They help surgeons prep for surgery?"
Reznick put the photo down on the table and snickered. "Oh come on, you think she cut the baby out of Tina Devereaux?" I stared at her and raised an eyebrow. Reznick rolled her eyes. "So, she kidnapped you, killed your mother, maybe killed Atkinson’s father and killed Devereaux’s baby? Who is this woman, Ma Barker?"
I shook my head. "No, I don’t think she did kill the baby. I think she’s alive." Reznick reared back. I nodded. "That’s right. It would explain why you never found her, wouldn’t it?"
Reznick pushed back in her chair, exasperated. "So, because we didn’t find the baby, she’s still alive? That’s your proof?"
I shook my head. "No. When I knocked the sweater to the floor, a pacifier fell out of the pocket." I leaned across the table. "That’s my proof."
<<>>
While Reznick and company searched for Kathy Morrissey, I railroaded Jennifer and Jason into staying at my house. Despite protests and grumblings, I simply couldn’t take no for an answer. I’d be damned if I was going to lose any more family because of that woman. Ted left with strict instructions to call him if I needed anything at all or if anything happened. Joe and Zelda were helping with the manhunt but gave me the same instructions as Ted. We were all on red alert. But sitting around the butcher block gabbing and drinking tea, it just seemed like a normal Wednesday.
Jason helped himself to some cookies from the cookie jar and pulled up a stool. "This is fun — kind of like a sleep over." He made a face. "Except for the psycho woman on the loose part."
I blushed. "Okay, I know you two think I’m over reacting, but we’re family, right?" The waterworks started to kick in, and my voice wavered, "When the shit hits the fan, we close ranks. Because that’s what family does, isn’t it?" Simple words, but for me they held an almost magical power. I’d never truly been able to say that to anyone before. I had adopted family — Zelda, Joe and all of Ted’s family — but they were my blood. We shared DNA and nose divets, and crooked smiles and saw ourselves in each other. "I’m not about to lose you guys. Not after everything it took for us to find each other again."
Jason elbowed me softly. "Okay cuz, what are you trying to do, make a grown man cry?"
Death of the Family Recipe (A Scotti Fitzgerald Murder Mystery Book 3) Page 37
