Dreadful

by Jana DeLeon

  “I told him working in a bar would be nothing but trouble,” Peter said. “And in the French Quarter? So much crime down there.”

  “He wasn’t killed at the bar,” Grayson said. “In fact, we don’t think his death had anything to do with his work.”

  “Robbery?” Peter asked.

  “No,” Grayson said, and described the circumstances of Cody’s death.

  When he was finished, Peter shook his head. “I don’t understand. Why would Cody meet someone who was threatening him?”

  “Cody had a pistol in his apartment,” Grayson said. “Our assumption is that he didn’t think the person he went to meet was a threat.”

  “Then why?” Peter asked. “None of this makes sense.”

  “I agree,” Grayson said. “We talked to all of Cody’s coworkers earlier and his landlord, but no one has offered an explanation for what might have happened or a guess as to whom Cody went to meet. We’ll check the background of everyone he worked with, and their alibis, and we’ll push them all again to see if they know more than they said. But you might be able to help.”

  “I don’t see how. Cody left for the service as soon as he was eligible and went straight to New Orleans when he got out. He came by to visit from time to time and he called every week, but he never shared much about his personal life. The truth is we have no idea what he might have been mixed up in.”

  “Out of curiosity,” Jackson finally said, “why do you assume Cody was mixed up in something?”

  “Habit, I guess,” Peter said. “He wasn’t an easy child, and he was an impossible teen. Stubborn and defiant. Wouldn’t listen to a thing and thought rules were for suckers. That’s exactly what he’d tell me when I tried to discipline him. Shocked the hell out of me when he joined the army. I figured he wouldn’t last a day, but he surprised us all by sticking it out. I thought maybe he’d grown up but when he got out, he bounced around from bar to bar, nothing ever sticking. And I know he was in trouble with the law a time or two. That sort of thing is public, and we’ve got friends with kids in New Orleans. Word gets around.”

  “Especially when it’s negative gossip,” Sue said.

  Jackson nodded. It was an unfortunate truth that a lot of people took great satisfaction from the misery of others, especially if they got to contribute to it.

  “If you don’t mind,” Grayson said, “I’d like to ask you some questions anyway. I understand if you don’t have answers.”

  “We’ll do anything to help,” Peter said, and Sue nodded.

  Grayson pulled a photo of Caitlyn Taylor from the file he held and showed it to the couple. “Do either of you recognize this young woman?”

  They both looked at the photo and shook their heads.

  “Did Cody know her?” Peter asked.

  Grayson nodded. “We found a photo of the two of them in his apartment.” Grayson pulled out the photo and showed them the picture as well as the inscription on the back. “The body language suggests they were in a relationship.”

  “Appears so,” Peter said, “but we never met anyone he dated and he never talked about it. Do you think his death has something to do with this girl? Maybe he was meeting her and that’s why he didn’t take his pistol?”

  “The woman in this photo is Caitlyn Taylor. She disappeared six years ago on Mardi Gras from the bar where Cody worked,” Grayson said. “Her disappearance remains unsolved.”

  Peter’s eyes widened. “And you think Cody had something to do with it? Why?”

  “Possibly,” Grayson said. “Or it’s possible he knew something that he never told the police. The sister of the missing girl hired a private detective yesterday to look into this. That PI questioned Cody last night at the bar. He made a call from the bar and later from his cell phone to a prepaid cell phone that we can’t trace to anyone.”

  “And then he went to a cemetery and was murdered,” Peter said and blew out a breath. “That’s not good.”

  “No. It’s not,” Grayson agreed. “And it could be a coincidence, but the timing is highly suspicious.”

  “I don’t think any of us thinks it’s a coincidence,” Peter said, his voice weary. “He’s worked in that bar for all these years without incident, then after being questioned by a PI, he calls someone on a number you can’t trace, likely to set up that meeting, and was killed. I’m no detective, but that seems pretty straightforward to me.”

  “I’m very sorry,” Grayson said.

  “Don’t be,” Peter said. “If Cody had something to do with that woman’s disappearance, then he made his own bed.”

  “How can you say that?” Sue cried, choking on the last words. “We lost our son.”

  “I can say it because it’s the truth,” Peter said. “Another family lost their daughter, and everything points to Cody having a hand in it. Besides, the truth is, we lost Cody a long time ago. I’m really sorry, Detectives. I wish I knew something that could help, but we didn’t have insight into our son’s life. Haven’t for a long time.”

  Grayson nodded. “I understand. Did Cody have any friends from high school that he stayed in touch with, or perhaps someone who served with him? Someone who might know more about his personal life?”

  “There was one guy,” Peter said. “Came here with Cody once when they were delivering an AC unit to me that Cody had bought cheap from the bar when they replaced one in an office upstairs. First name was Brennan but I never got a last name. Had that posture like he’d served, you know?”

  “I do and it will make him easier to track down,” Grayson said and handed Peter cards for himself and Jackson. “If you think of anything else, please call us. Anytime.”

  Peter took the cards and stared at them for a couple seconds. “What about…I mean, I guess I need to make arrangements…”

  “The coroner will contact you when he can release the body,” Grayson said.

  Peter nodded. “Thank you for coming here to tell us in person.”

  “Of course.” Grayson rose from his chair and Jackson followed him outside.

  “You think they’re telling the truth?” Jackson asked as he climbed into the passenger’s seat.

  “Yeah. Everything he said fits what we know of Reynolds’s history.”

  Jackson nodded. He thought the facts fit the parents’ story as well. “Let’s hope this Brennan knows something. Because his coworkers didn’t appear to, and I didn’t get a feeling any of them were hedging things either.”

  “No,” Grayson agreed. “It appears that Mr. Reynolds had a secret life that very few knew about.”

  “Maybe no one.”

  “At least one person knew. Because that person killed him.”

  SHAYE PULLED up in front of the small home that Rick and Marisa rented and walked up the sidewalk. The SUV they’d been driving when they came to her office was parked in the driveway along with a late-model sedan. Shaye had called on the way over, and Marisa had said she’d be at home but Rick was working late. Either he’d finished up earlier than he thought or he’d been too curious about Shaye’s visit to miss it. Regardless, she was happy she would only have to have this conversation once. If she thought one of them was holding back, she’d address it with them individually later.

  The front door swung open before she knocked, and Marisa motioned her inside.

  “Is your daughter napping?” Shaye asked. The house was quiet, which wasn’t common with a toddler about.

  “No. I’d just left the grocery store when I got your call, so I dropped her off at my parents’. I figured it would be easier to talk that way. Rick’s in the kitchen.”

  Shaye followed her through the small but neat living room and into a room that served as both kitchen and dining room. Rick pulled a beer from the refrigerator and held it up.

  “I’ve got beer, soda, and water,” he said.

  “Water would be great,” Shaye said.

  Marisa pointed to a square table in the breakfast nook. “Would it be okay to sit there? I need to pop a lasagna i
n the oven.”

  “Whatever is most convenient for you,” Shaye said and took a seat at the table. Rick set a bottled water in front of her and slid into the chair across from her. Marisa placed a tray in the oven, then grabbed a diet soda and sat in between Rick and Shaye.

  “Have you found something?” Marisa asked.

  “It’s only been a day,” Rick said.

  “I’m sorry,” Marisa said. “You’re probably here because you need to get information, not give it.”

  “Both, actually,” Shaye said and showed them the image of Cody Reynolds. “Do either of you know this man?”

  Rick shook his head. Marisa frowned, her brow scrunched, then shook her head as well.

  “His name is Cody Reynolds,” Shaye continued. “Does that ring a bell?”

  “Yes,” Marisa said. “His name is in the police file. He was working at the bar the night Caitlyn disappeared.”

  “But you have no other knowledge of him aside from that?” Shaye asked.

  “What’s this about?” Rick said, his suspicious tone reminding Shaye she was dealing with an attorney. They always preferred to ask the questions.

  “I interviewed Mr. Reynolds last night at the bar,” Shaye said, deciding the direct approach was best. “And someone murdered him this morning.”

  Marisa’s hand flew over her mouth. “Oh my God. You don’t think…I mean, why would anyone…”

  “The police found a photo of Mr. Reynolds and Caitlyn in his apartment,” Shaye said. “Their body language in the photo suggests they were in a relationship.”

  “I knew it,” Rick said. “I told you she was seeing someone. She would have never flaked out on that pool party unless it was over a guy.”

  Marisa frowned. “And if you recall, I said you were probably right, but I figured she was seeing that ass Garrett again and didn’t want to hear what we’d have to say about it.”

  Shaye thought it was interesting that not one but two men who were friends with Caitlyn both had the same impression.

  “Did you think she was seeing Garrett again as well?” Shaye asked Rick.

  He shrugged. “I don’t guess I thought about it much beyond making the observation that she was sneaking around, and with Caitlyn, that usually meant a man was lurking somewhere in the background. It could have been Garrett or whatever other loser she decided to take up with.”

  “Some might consider him a success—nice job with a big law firm,” Shaye said, wanting to get Rick’s take on the other man but knowing he’d probably hedge if she asked outright. She’d met plenty of men like him, and it was just in their nature.

  Her comment hit home. A flush started on Rick’s neck and began to creep up his face. “Money doesn’t give you class. And trust me, Garrett Trahan is in such a deficit on that end of things that he’ll never make enough money to dig himself out. He wouldn’t even have that job if it weren’t for his father’s connections.”

  Shaye nodded, Garrett’s continued employment despite his alleged harassment of female employees now making sense. If his father had called in a favor, he’d have a longer leash than someone hired on merit alone. But Garrett better be careful. That leash was probably just long enough for him to hang himself from it.

  “I understand you ran into him that night and that he and Caitlyn argued,” Shaye said.

  “She accused him of stalking her,” Marisa said.

  “Was he?” Shaye asked.

  Marisa shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe. I mean, he claimed he was there with friends, but I didn’t see any of his frat brothers or the other guys he was always with.”

  “What do you think?” Shaye asked Rick.

  “I think he was mad as hell when Caitlyn dumped him. He’s used to getting what he wants, and women are no different than a car or a pair of tennis shoes.”

  “Do you think he was responsible for her disappearance?” Shaye asked. She didn’t ask outright if they thought Garrett had murdered Caitlyn, but she knew they would understand the implication.

  Marisa glanced at Rick and bit her lip. Rick took in a deep breath and blew it out. “It’s definitely crossed our minds,” Rick said. “And more than once. He was pissed. And I think his fixation with Caitlyn went further than she thought. He seemed unhinged that night. I mean, I’m not saying he did something…”

  “But you think he was capable,” Shaye said.

  Rick looked at her. “I think under the right circumstances, we’re all capable.”

  Shaye agreed with him, but there was something about his tone that made her wonder. Then she remembered—attorney. And based on a law school interview that she’d turned up in her background check, Rick had set his sights on criminal defense. He didn’t have much to go on in Ponchatoula except drunk driving and shoplifting and other minor offenses, at least minor in the big scheme of things. But Shaye knew he wanted more, and for defense attorneys that meant the big cases. The ones that splashed your name across the news and brought in boatloads of money.

  “I agree with you,” Shaye said to him. “But what I’d like to know is your opinion based on knowing Garrett and the situation. I am well aware that it’s not evidence, but you know that a perceptive person can get a feel for certain things. I think you’re one of those people.”

  She added the deliberate flattery, hoping it would get him talking, but didn’t layer it too thick because he’d probably clue in to it. Rick Sampson might be stuck in a small town, but Shaye would bet he had big-city instincts and smarts.

  He nodded. “I guess given what you do, and especially given your own experiences, you understand that better than most. And you’re right. Some people get a feel for things that others don’t clue in on. I pick up on things that Marisa doesn’t. I always say it’s because I’m cynical and she’s sunny.”

  He gave her a small smile, then it faded. “My honest impression of Garrett is that I absolutely think he’s capable of violence. Caitlyn had a shiner once that I’d bet he gave her even though she made up some story about a door. You know, the total bullshit excuse of every battered spouse. And a lot of girls complained about him having grabby hands and a foul mouth when it came to sexual suggestions. The question is do those flaws add up to something bigger?”

  “And your answer?” Shaye asked.

  “I think that they could have,” Rick said. “Not premeditated, but in a fit of anger…I think he could easily cross lines.”

  Shaye nodded and looked over at Marisa. “What do you think?”

  Marisa glanced at Rick and swallowed. “I didn’t like him. He was mean in a way that undermined people, you know? He loved finding someone’s flaw and poking at them about it until they lost it.” She took a deep breath, then looked directly at Shaye. “The truth is I was afraid of him. I didn’t like the way he watched Caitlyn when we were in social settings. It was creepy, not romantic. I know that sounds silly, but I don’t know any other way to explain it.”

  “It’s not silly,” Shaye said. “And I understand exactly what you mean. I think most women would.”

  “Doesn’t matter what we think, anyway,” Rick said. “Trahan has an alibi. Likely bought and paid for, but you’d have to prove that. And that would only be the start. There’s nothing to connect him to the French Revival that night. Even with motive and opportunity, it would be impossible to make a case with no forensic evidence, especially given all the random crime that happens on Mardi Gras.”

  “That’s true,” Shaye said, “but now there’s been another murder and this one won’t be shelved along with Caitlyn’s disappearance.”

  “The connection is still circumstantial,” Rick said. “They won’t give Caitlyn’s disappearance anything other than a cursory review.”

  “Perhaps,” Shaye said, although she knew Jackson and Grayson well enough to know that wasn’t the case at all. “But the fact remains that a man was killed who had a connection to Caitlyn that none of you were aware of. I don’t think the timing is coincidental, so I’m going with it be
ing motivated by Jenny hiring me. The real point of my visit was to let you know that the situation surrounding the investigation has changed, and there’s a chance that you might be in danger.”

  Marisa’s eyes widened. “Why us? I don’t understand.”

  “You’re funding the investigation,” Shaye said. “Jenny is my client, but it wouldn’t take much poking around for someone to figure out she’s probably not footing the bill. I’m not saying that will happen, but I felt it was my responsibility to give you and Jenny the information and the possibilities it could create because you need the opportunity to cancel my investigation if you are not comfortable with the risks.”

  “Oh my God,” Marisa said. “I never thought…you don’t really think someone would come after us?”

  “I don’t know,” Shaye said. “Logically, the smart thing to do would be for the guilty party to lie low, but murderers are rarely rational. My investigation caused a reaction—one we weren’t anticipating. I have no way of knowing how far this individual will take this.”

  Rick nodded. “I understand your concern, and I appreciate you coming here in person to lay it out. Even with my cynical outlook, I don’t know that I would have taken it as far as you have, but I can see why you did. I would have felt an obligation as well if I were in your position.”

  “What did Jenny say?” Marisa asked.

  “She wants me to stay on the case,” Shaye said. “But I don’t think I have to tell either of you how fragile Jenny appears to be emotionally. I’m not sure she can make the best decisions for herself, and it’s not fair for her to make them for you. After all, you are paying the fees and that puts you at risk as well. If that’s something you’re not comfortable with, I understand completely and will be happy to turn over my notes and refund the balance of the retainer.”

  Marisa looked at Rick. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t like it,” he said, “but I’m leaving it up to you. It was your decision to support Jenny on this in the first place. I’m not going to be the one to call it quits.”

  “Do you think we’re in danger?” Marisa asked him.