by R. D. Brady
“If it was hours ago, that means it can’t be Steve. He was locked up in our jail last night.”
Declan jerked his head up. “What? Why?”
“I left you a message. The chief arrested him after Micah was grabbed.”
“I thought he saved Micah.”
Russ shrugged, looking away. “The chief took a while to be convinced of that.”
Declan shook his head, but he realized that Keith’s stubbornness was actually a good thing. Because if the times of death lined up, it meant Steve had an alibi—a very good one.
“But that means someone else did this,” Russ said. “Do you think they’re the same person who killed Elise Ingram?”
Declan paused for a minute, considering what they knew about Elise’s death. “Both were killed by knives and without any witnesses. The likelihood is that, yeah, it was the same doer.” Declan looked over to the circle of blood on the floor next to the sink. “And our boy’s a planner. I’m betting he dumped all his clothes into a garbage bag and took it with him. But we’ll check to be sure.”
“I can’t believe someone would plan something like this,” Russ whispered.
“Yeah. But he must have. He covered his bases pretty well.”
Russ walked over to Mel’s body and pointed at the edge of the counter. “Maybe not all his bases.”
Declan walked over and looked down with a smile. He looked back up at Russ. “Well, I do believe we have some fingerprints.”
“Could they be Mel’s?”
Declan shook his head. “Doubtful. When he went down, he stayed down. These fingerprints were made in blood. Mel’s wouldn’t have been.”
A smile began to break over Russ’s face. “So we’ve got him?”
“We just might.”
CHAPTER 48
The squad car pulled out of the parking lot with its sirens blaring. Steve had to brace his legs to keep from sliding across the plastic back seat. He was soaked to the bone.
When the police had arrived, Steve hadn’t even noticed. It wasn’t until after he’d been yanked out of Declan’s car and thrown face down in a puddle that he’d shaken off the shock that had come over him in the diner.
They’d left him like that, face down in the pouring rain, for several minutes. The rain had soaked through every piece of clothing he had, right down to his underwear. Even now, water dripped from his hair into his eyes, and with his hands cuffed behind his back, there was nothing he could do about it.
He scooted over so he could lean his head against the window. Mel’s dead.
He shut his eyes tight as if he that would help him block it out. No such luck. If anything, it was worse with his eyes closed. The image of Mel lying on the floor, his eyes staring at nothing, was imprinted in his mind.
Steve shifted and opened his eyes as the car turned. They pulled up in front of the police station, and the deputy slammed on the brakes. Unprepared, Steve fell forward, his face crashing into the glass divider.
The deputy grinned at him from the rearview mirror.
Steve pushed himself back using his shoulders. Asshole.
He had just gotten himself upright when the door next to him was yanked open. Hands reached in and dragged him out. Steve tried to duck his head, but the hands holding him wouldn’t let him, and he slammed into the top of the door frame. He hadn’t even felt the pain yet before he was shoved to the ground and his forehead met the sidewalk with a loud crack. Then the pain exploded.
“Sorry about that,” the deputy said coldly, pulling him up with a grim smile. But then the smile dropped from his face.
Blood dripped down Steve’s forehead and onto his shirt. The deputy pulled him close. “You did that to yourself, you hear?”
Steve was feeling lightheaded and could only nod. He blinked hard. His vision was getting a little fuzzy around the edges.
The deputy shoved him toward the stairs, his grip tight. Steve tried to clear his vision, but he couldn’t seem to manage it. And his feet were moving slowly, as if he were walking through water. He almost laughed. Maybe it rained more than I thought. He tried to look down to see if he was walking through water, but it only made him stumble.
The deputy decided to take him up the wheelchair ramp, which was good, because Steve didn’t think his legs would be able to manage the stairs.
The deputy pulled Steve into the foyer and leaned him against the desk. Steve looked at the woman behind the desk. Bee? Lee? What was her name?
The woman pursed her lips and glared at the deputy. When she spoke, there was a hard edge to her words. “What happened?”
“He hit his head.”
“Right. All by himself, I’m sure.”
“Just tell me where I’m taking him,” the deputy growled.
“Holding one. And make sure someone sees to his head.”
The deputy just grunted in response.
Steve was hauled through the main room and down a hallway to the holding cells. The deputy unlocked one of the cell doors and shoved Steve inside—hard.
Lightheaded and still cuffed, Steve couldn’t stop himself from crashing into the back wall. A new pain, this time in his cheekbone, exploded outward. Steve leaned against the back wall, taking deep breaths. Behind him he heard the door slam shut—a noise he was all too familiar with.
Finally, he slid down the wall and turned around. He leaned his head back against the wall, letting the dizziness wash over him, and then the darkness.
CHAPTER 49
From somewhere in the police station, Steve could hear yelling, but he couldn’t make out the words. He blinked his eyes open and realized he’d blacked out a little. He wasn’t sure for how long.
The yelling came closer. “I demand to see him. I’m his lawyer! Where is he? Back here?”
Steve almost smiled—Jack. He looked up just as Jack came into view.
Jack looked into the cell and went still. Then his face twisted in rage. “Who the hell is responsible for this? Somebody is losing his job. And god damn it, you better open this cell right now.”
Keith spoke, still out of view. “Counselor, your brother put up a fight when one of my officers went to cuff him. Any injuries that resulted from that incident are solely the fault—”
Keith cut himself off as he came closer and got his first glimpse of Steve. Even through Steve’s blurry vision, he could see Keith’s jaw tighten, and he clearly heard the muttered curse. Keith pulled his keys off his belt and unlocked the cell.
Jack rushed in, knelt next to Steve, and gently pulled his head into his lap. Steve winced as he lay on his bound hands.
“Sorry, sorry,” Jack said, helping him sit back up, but he kept a supportive arm around his shoulder. “Someone get these cuffs off him and get me a first aid kit.”
Steve smiled—or at least he thought he did. He wasn’t sure, because Jack was fading in and out. “Thanks, big brother.”
And then the darkness took him again.
CHAPTER 50
Julie drove slowly toward town, looking for a store with its lights on. She had stayed at the station until late last night, but it had been a futile gesture. The chief hadn’t listened to anything she’d had to say.
She’d finally gotten home a little after three. She’d been exhausted. But here she was awake only a few hours later. Unfortunately, her sleep had been accompanied by the nightmare of a masked man chasing her. And when she woke, she hadn’t been able to stay in the house alone, even with the storm raging outside.
So she’d headed to town, hoping there was somewhere to go, anywhere. She told herself she wasn’t checking on Steve, even though he stayed at the back of her thoughts. Who was he? The good guy or the bad one? Everyone kept telling her he was a murderer, but every memory she had of him told her the opposite.
Up ahead, she saw that the coffee shop was open. Oh, yes please, she thought, and she pulled into a spot. A nice hot cup of gourmet coffee was just what she needed.
Despite the torrent of rain outside, the p
lace was surprisingly busy. It was also loud, with everyone talking animatedly. But storms would do that. Warmth was already beginning to spread through Julie as she got in line.
She didn’t intend to eavesdrop on the conversation of the two women in workout clothes in front of her, but she couldn’t help overhearing. The brunette was nodding her head, her eyes wide. “Found his body first thing. He was literally standing over it, the gun in his hand.”
“Oh my God,” the blonde gasped, her hand to her throat. “Did the police get him?”
“Yes, thank goodness. But still, it’s terrifying to think they let that monster out.”
Julie went still.
“He’s the one who killed that girl ten years ago, right?” the blonde asked. “What was her name? Shelly?”
“Simone.”
“What is the world coming to?”
Julie reached up with a shaking hand and tapped the brunette on the shoulder. She tried to keep her voice even. “Excuse me, did you just say someone was murdered?”
Both women turned to her, obviously delighted to share the latest gossip with someone new. The blonde nodded. “Yes—it happened just a little while ago. You know Mel, from the diner? He was killed.”
Julie’s stomach bottomed out. Mel? She pictured Mel from two nights before when she’d caught up with friends. He’d hugged her and then dragged her to a booth to hear all about her new life. And he’d made her promise she’d stop in again before she left town.
“And it was that man who killed the Granger girl way back,” the brunette chirped in. “That Steve Kane. They found him right over the body.”
The blonde shook her head. “We were just saying it was incredible they let him out.”
“It’s amazing two brothers can be so different. Jack has done so much for this town, and that other one—well, it must be something in his head. There’s just something wrong with him. They should lock him up and throw away the key.”
Julie nodded absently, her mind overwhelmed. Steve had killed Mel? Why? When? “Do they know when Mel was killed?”
“It must have been this morning, because that’s when they found him at the diner.”
The brunette nodded. “That’s two murders now. Elise Ingram and Mel. I swear, someone should just take that boy out back of the police station and shoot him.”
The line moved, and the women stepped up to the counter and ordered their coffees. Julie stood behind them, shocked. He’d been out of prison for only a few days, and already two people were dead. A chill crept through her. What was going on?
The women stepped aside and Julie moved forward, her mind spinning.
“Can I help you?” asked the young man behind the counter.
Julie stared at him blankly.
“Ma’am? Can I help you?”
Julie gave herself a mental shake. “Um, a soy latte, please.”
The boy nodded and turned to make her coffee.
A few minutes later, Julie was back in her car, although she couldn’t remember exactly how she’d gotten there. Her latte was in her hand, which meant she must have paid for it. She took a sip. Yup, she’d added sugar, too. She must have been on automatic pilot.
She knew she should head home. Already she was beginning to shake. Her eyes flooded with tears. Mel. She leaned her head back, memories of Mel looping through her mind. And in each memory Steve was right next to her.
She swatted the tears away. I need to go home.
But the moment with Steve on the back porch of Micah’s house came back to her.
She turned on the ignition. I just need to make one quick stop first.
CHAPTER 51
Julie pulled her hood tighter around her, although there was apparently no way to keep the rain out. Water seemed to be spraying in every direction. She could feel the beads of moisture slipping down her neck, under her jacket.
She jumped over a puddle and jogged up the steps of the police station, then took shelter at the side of the doors. What exactly is my plan here?
With a shaking hand she took a sip of her coffee, which by some miracle she hadn’t dropped.
Just then two men dashed up the steps. “Julie?”
Russ pulled back his hood as he stepped into the covered area.
“Hey, Russ.”
Russ glanced at the man next to him. Declan Reed, Julie realized with a shock. She’d heard he’d gotten stationed back here when Steve had gotten arrested. But she hadn’t seen him in years.
He nodded at her. “Ms. Granger,” he said, then turned back to Russ. “I’ll see you inside.” He disappeared through the doors.
Russ stood awkwardly next to her. “Um, are you all right?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She nodded.
Russ leaned down. “I guess you heard about Mel?”
She saw the concern on his face. He’d always been a good friend. Fact was, she’d had a lot of good friends here. She’d made friends since she left, too, of course, but there was something about the people you grew up with. They knew you from mud pies to prom dates. And no one had been a better friend growing up than she had. Steve. She looked away, blinking back the tears. “Yeah. I heard. I can’t believe it.”
“Me neither.” Russ’s normally calm face was troubled.
With a shock, Julie realized he’d probably seen Mel, been at the crime scene. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m supposed to be. But that…” He shook his head. “I wasn’t prepared for that.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
Russ’s chin trembled and he let out a breath. “What are you doing here anyway?
Julie shrugged. “I don’t know. When I heard about Mel, and that Steve had been arrested, I just kind of came here. Can you tell me anything?”
Russ glanced through the glass doors of the station. No one was paying them any attention. “It looks like it happened last night.”
“But I thought they arrested Steve this morning.”
“They did.”
“Wasn’t he locked up all last night?”
“Yup.”
“I don’t understand.”
Russ opened his mouth and then shut it, shaking his head. “The chief has a bit of a blind spot when it comes to Steve.”
“What about Declan? What’s he doing here?”
“Steve called him after he found Mel.”
“And Declan called you?”
“No, actually—” Russ broke off. “I really shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”
Julie raised her hands. “Who am I going to tell? Besides, who has a more vested interest than me?”
“Julie, I know that. But don’t you think it would be better if you just put this all behind you? You don’t need to concern yourself with this now.”
She pictured how Steve had looked at her last night. She had thought seeing him would bring resolution—confirm everything she’d been told for the last ten years—but it had only made everything more confusing. Yet at the same time, she knew in her bones that he couldn’t kill Mel. Even if she could believe he killed Simone or Elise, she’d seen him with Mel. She knew how much Mel meant to him. There was no way.
But Russ was right—she should put it all behind her. Whatever Steve did now had nothing to do with her. The damage to her and her family was done.
She nodded with a sigh. “You’re right. I’ll see you later.” She started to head back for her car, but then turned. “Just let me know if anything happens, okay?”
“Julie…” Russ said, drawing out her name.
She shrugged. “I just want to be kept in the loop. That’s all.”
“That’s all?”
She nodded. “What else would it be?”
Russ gave her a pointed look—one of those looks that only old friends could give one another and convey a world of meaning.
She put up her hands and turned to the car. “Don’t answer that.”
CHAPTER 52
Declan nodded at Dee as h
e crossed through the doors leading into the squad room. He was still a little surprised at seeing Julie Granger. What was she doing here?
He shook off his curiosity. That would have to wait. He needed to see about Steve first.
“Where’s Steve?” he asked Dee.
She gestured toward the cells. “Cell one.”
Declan could feel the eyes of the officers in the squad room on him as he headed to the cellblock. As a state policeman, he already wasn’t popular. But now that he was viewed as helping Steve, he was downright unwelcome.
Declan was surprised to find an officer stationed by the holding cells. That was odd.
Only one of the four cells was occupied. Declan looked in and blanched. “Jesus.”
Steve’s face was a mess. There was a laceration on the side of his head, and both his cheekbone and eye were bruised.
Jack looked up from his chair next to Steve’s cot. He rose, walked over to the cell door, pushed it open, and stepped out. Now Declan understood why the officer was stationed there.
Jack motioned for Declan to follow him a little distance away, out of earshot of the officer.
Declan gestured to the cell. “What the hell happened?”
“According to Keith, Steve fell.”
“Yeah, I’m guessing with a little help. He okay?”
Jack shrugged, but his eyes looked worried. “I don’t know. I think he might have a concussion. I’d get him released to a hospital, but of course with the bridge out, that’s not an option. So I’m staying with him. I don’t feel safe leaving him here alone. What about the crime scene? Did you learn anything?”
“Single killer. Almost three dozen stab wounds.” Declan paused. “I think he wanted us to think it was a crazed, angry attack.”
“You don’t think so?”
“No. Actually I think it was pretty unemotional, despite all the wounds. The guy took the time to clean up after himself. And it was done way before Steve showed up. Sometime between midnight and three.”
