Noah shrugged. “Maybe she does.”
“I feel guilty for it. Didn’t think you’d want to come along. Figured you’d had enough bar time for the night.”
“Yeah, well,” Noah drank his beer, “I was expecting some kind of info, but a break through like that?”
“You’ve brought a lot to this case. Ethan likes you. Ethan doesn’t like people so easily.”
“Call it beginners luck, ‘cause I feel like I’m winging this.”
“Maybe you’re a natural then. I always wondered when we’d get to work together. Didn’t think it would be this soon.”
Noah watched the last patrons leave the bar.
“I never thought I’d be working here. After school, I thought you’d stick around in Toronto teaching. When you married Missy, I knew you were a goner.”
Owen laughed, “A goner?”
“Yeah, I knew you’d be moving out to the ‘burbs. Have a couple kids.”
Noah had secretly thought it was about time for his friend to settle down, but teasing him about his happiness had become their thing. On the other hand, he thought, Owen didn’t start getting grays until after he got married.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” Noah smiled, “I just didn’t count on being moved out here myself.”
“Come on, top of your class? You knew you’d climb the ranks.”
“Maybe, but out here? If it hadn’t been for the promotion, you’d never catch me moving to Crown River. My dad’s still pissed.”
“I didn’t know he had an issue with it.”
Noah looked down at his beer. “It’s not a big deal or anything, but since my mom passed, I think we relied on each other a lot. Then when Lisa finally moved in, I thought that I could start out on my own. Owen, I kid you not, he didn’t even want me to move out after I got my job first job.”
Owen raised his brows. “Really?”
“So, I mean, it was going to be difficult no matter when I moved out, but to move a couple hours away?”
“So what’s the deal? You still talk?”
“Yeah, pretty often. He just wants to keep the family he has left together. Lisa’s got a daughter, so now she’s technically my step-sister, and she’s got a husband and baby of her own. The whole family got together a lot. Now I’m just back for birthdays.”
“You could go back more often if you wanted.”
“Yeah.” Noah turned his glass around in his hands.
“You gotta start your own thing anyway buddy.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here man.” Owen raised his glass, and they clinked them together. “Looks like he’s waitin’ on us again.” He pointed to the bartender.
“Listen, I’ll see ya tomorrow.”
Owen stood from the table. “I got this one buddy.”
“Thanks man.” Noah punched his arm, and grabbed his coat. “Hey by the way, what exactly did Ethan say about me?”
“Nothing. I can just tell he likes you.”
“How?”
“You’re still on the case.”
Chapter 40
Fiona
When Fiona hobbled out of her home for the first time in over a week, she was greeted by Owen and Ralph.
“How you feeling today?” Owen asked, and stepped aside to make room, as she hobbled beside him.
“Glad to finally be out.” Her eyes squinted against the sun.
Ralph walked ahead of them, toward a truck.
“We’re going in that?”
“I’m sorry; this is going to be a little difficult to maneuver.” Owen opened the passenger door to the truck for her.
“Oh,” She looked up at Ralph in the driver’s seat. “No big deal.”
She leaned her crutches against the truck, and hoisted herself up on her seat. She was glad she’d been working on her upper body strength.
“All set?” Owen asked, as he shoved her crutches in the back.
Ralph nodded. “See you there.”
They followed Owen in the unmarked car, and when he turned right out of her subdivision, they went left. She noticed another car turn left behind them.
“Did you bring any pain meds?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know how long we’d be out, so I thought better safe than sorry.”
“Good. I know you think you’re ready to be out and about, but we’ll see.”
Ralph turned onto the main road, and headed north, away from the police department.
“Listen, if you don’t want to talk about it, I understand, but that guy that was over last night…”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Ralph chuckled. “Okay, but I was just going to say, he didn’t have to sneak in. Tell him to use the doorbell next time.”
“He’s my ex-fiance, Ralph. Not in my life anymore.” Fiona checked her side view mirror. “There won’t be a next time.”
“Well, listen, next time someone wants to visit, just let me know. I could have shot him.”
She knew he was looking for a reaction, but she turned to look out her window.
“That bad, huh?” Ralph scratched his head and sighed. “It’s none of my business, but he really seems to care about you.”
Fiona licked her dry lips, and swallowed hard. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too.”
They drove in silence, until they merged onto the highway.
“You’re not even going to ask why we’re going this way, or why we made you climb up into this truck, instead of the car Owen’s taking?”
“No.”
“So what’s your guess?”
“You want to elude the killer, if he might be watching me. You wanted to put me into a vehicle he wouldn’t think I’d be in, and go on a route he wouldn’t think of taking because you have people on the lookout for him.”
“Hmm. You’re good. Who’d think we’d make you climb up in a big truck? Very perceptive for the meds you’re on.”
“I’m aware because I’m not on them right now. I stopped taking the pain killers regularly when I got out of the hospital. I’ve only taken three since.”
Ralph glanced over at her. “Aren’t you supposed to be on them for a while?”
“Are you aware that someone has been following us?” Fiona looked at him, and he smiled.
“Extra security for your transport.”
“Well they should be a little more discreet, if even I can tell we’re being followed.”
Ralph smiled as they exited the highway. “Maybe we want him to be noticed.”
“Can we turn on the radio?”
“Sure.”
Fiona changed the station, rolled her window down, and breathed the fresh air in deeply.
Her heart fluttered when the department came into view.
Chapter 41
Noah watched the woman push herself along on her crutches; into the room he questioned Avery in with Ethan. She was fit, with dark hair, and faint freckles on her nose and cheeks. He thought she was beautiful without a doubt, but she glared at Ethan with an intensity that made Noah uneasy.
“Fiona, this is Inspector Cotter.” Noah shook her hand before she set her crutches against the wall behind her, and sat down across from them. “He’s with me on this case.”
Owen stepped outside, and closed the door behind him.
“Whatever I can do to help, I’m ready.” She smiled, and her eyes lit up.
Noah realized Fiona wasn’t at all how he expected her to be. An insecure victim, who was generally nervous talking to the police or about her case in general.
“We really appreciate it,” Ethan nodded, “I’m sure the victim’s families do too.”
Fiona nodded. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Okay, I want to make sure you know what’s going on. We have a suspect in this case. He fits the profile, and we are looking for him now. When we bring him in, you might be able to help us in identifying him. We’ll get to that later.”
�
�How much do you know already?” Noah asked.
“Just what you’re telling me. I know the killer is still out there. I know what he did to Tamara and Wendy. It would have happened to me too.”
Ethan studied her. “We believe he also attacked a young girl named Avery Hart.”
“I heard about her on the news. Is she alright? Wait, so it was the same guy who attacked her before?”
“No, but likely the same mask. We believe when she reached out to the news, it provoked the killer, and he attacked her. She’s safe.” Ethan nodded to the door, and Noah got up, and opened it.
“Owen, is she here yet?”
He shook his head, and Noah ducked back into the room, and listened as Ethan went on.
“If you were both attacked by the same person, it could provide some more insight into this case. We know you each had different experiences though.”
“Who’s the suspect,” Fiona set her hands in her lap, “and what happened to her exactly?”
They heard a knock on the door, and Owen popped his head in the room.
“She’s here.”
Chapter 42
When Avery walked into the room, she wasn’t expecting to see the unfamiliar face that stared back at her.
Owen told her they wanted to formally question her about her attack when she got out of the hospital, and her parents dropped her off as soon as she was released. The ride was quiet, and when they asked when she would be finished, she told them not to bother waiting.
“Avery, come sit down.” Inspector Ascott gestured to the chair across from him, beside the girl staring at her.
Her eyes matched her hair, and her lips were pressed together. She wore yoga clothing, and even with no makeup on, Avery thought the girl was beautiful.
Avery sat down, and smiled at the girl, before she noticed the crutches.
“Fiona, this is Avery Hart.” Noah looked at Avery with something that was almost a smile. “Avery, this is Fiona Wolfe. She was attacked by our suspect on her running path in Birch Falls. I know you’ve seen things about each other on the news…”
Noah opened his mouth and closed it again, and Avery debated reaching her hand out, but when Fiona continued looking at Noah, she focused on the inspectors.
“We are investigating each of your cases separately, but with the possibility that your attackers might be the same person.” Ethan finished for him.
Fiona cleared her throat and glanced her way. “I’m sorry to hear about your attack. Well, both of them.”
“Thanks, same to you.” Avery tried to make eye contact, but Fiona looked back at the inspectors again.
Avery crossed her legs, and slipped her hair behind her ear. She noticed Noah stare at Fiona, and although she wasn’t surprised, she felt a tinge of jealousy.
“We explained to Fiona that when we catch the suspect in question, you might be able to help us identify him.” Avery noticed Ethan staring at Fiona too, and when she looked over, she saw Fiona squinting at him. “Did you have a question?”
“I’m just not sure why we are both here together. I guess I’m wondering what good it will do, you know, why it’s necessary?” Fiona stared straight ahead, and Avery couldn’t see her expression.
Noah leaned forward. “We had to bring you both in, because until we find our suspect, you both need protection.”
“We need to make sure we’ve taken the proper security measures.” Ethan said.
“I’m sorry,” Fiona interrupted, and Avery heard an angry tone, instead of anything that sounded apologetic, “I was under the impression I was here to help you.”
Inspector Ascott glanced over his shoulder to Owen, who tried to stifle a laugh.
“I don’t know who gave you that impression, but we have your statement, and…”
“Hold on Inspector Ascott…” Fiona raised her hand.
“You can call me Ethan.”
“Ethan.” Fiona’s tone sounded warm for the first time, “I am already being watched by officers around the clock. Are you suggesting that isn’t enough?”
“In this situation…”
The door opened, and Owen took one step outside. In just moments he poked his head back in the room.
“Can I see you both?”
Noah and Ethan both looked up at him for a moment, before pushing their chairs out, and standing.
“Just stay here.” Ethan looked between them, before they both left.
When Fiona looked up at the door, Avery could see her face was flushed.
“Where are you staying right now?” Fiona asked, without turning toward her.
“I just got out of the hospital. I’ll be staying at my friend’s place tonight, and tomorrow, I’m supposed to be going back home.”
“Where’s home?”
“My apartment in Crown River. You’re in Birch Falls right?”
Fiona gave a short nod, and finally turned to face her. Her eyes were welling up, and she gripped the back of her chair tightly.
“I honestly mean no disrespect, but I don’t want to live with anyone. I want to help them solve this case, and get justice for the girls who were murdered. I don’t want to be handled with kid gloves, and treated like a victim. I also don’t want to be lumped in with you when we’ve had two very different experiences.”
Avery looked at her for a moment, and then back to the door.
“I don’t know why they didn’t tell me about their security plans sooner. They made it seem like I was free to go home if I wanted.”
Fiona shrugged. “There’s a reason they don’t want you back there.”
Avery looked down into her lap, and rested her hand against her stomach.
“It’s probably best I don’t go back. I don’t know if I could have gone back anyway.”
“Why?”
Avery looked up at her, and looked down at her leg for a split second. When she met Fiona’s gaze, she bit her lip.
“That’s where you were attacked?”
Avery nodded. “Your sketch made it on the news. That’s how all this started. I recognized the mask, and I guess if you hadn’t gotten away…”
“What happened to you? How did you get away?”
Avery went to open her mouth, and realized she was sweating. She wanted to tell Fiona her story, but she was taken aback by how blunt she was, and pushy too.
“I was attacked, like they said.”
Fiona stared at her. “What did he do to you?”
Chapter 43
Fiona
Fiona listened as Avery told her story. She sat still as she took it all in. She felt pain when Avery talked about the cuts he made into her stomach, and it mixed with her own, as stabbing pains shot through her leg.
“They don’t think he meant to kill me, or if he did, he ran out of time.” She watched Avery take a deep breath, and wipe a tear from her cheek.
“I’m sorry.”
“I guess it didn’t last as long as it could have. The cutting.” Avery tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, her hands sat gracefully in her lap during the story, except for when she spoke about the knife. Then they skimmed up her body instinctively to her stomach. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t understand. He always starts by shooting the girls. He shoots us, and then…”
“I guess he was working his way backwards with me, I don’t know.” She brought her hands from her lap to her mouth, and played with her lip. “I don’t know much.”
“This is what I meant. We had very different experiences.”
Fiona looked at the thin rings on Avery’s fingers, and watched as her pink lips turned darker as she fussed with them.
“Were you really going to go back to living in your apartment?”
Avery sighed. “I don’t know. I really thought I was safe, and now…”
Fiona waited, but Avery said nothing. “Anyone live with you?”
“Nope. I live alone. You?”
Fiona nodded, and grabbed her purse. The pain was sha
rp, and she squeezed her strap, and waited for it to fade.
“So you were jogging? I saw it on the news…”
“Yeah.”
“So he shot you first, and then, did he cut you too?”
“No. I don’t want to talk about it.” Fiona had waited as long as she could, and when she pulled the pill bottle from her purse, her hand shook. She grabbed a pill, popped it in her mouth, and swallowed hard. “You on any pain meds?”
“Not anymore. Just anti-biotics. It doesn’t hurt much, really. Just itchy.”
Fiona set her purse back down. “I try not to take mine. This is the first time I’ve been out on my leg. Not as easy as I thought, but it was an easy choice. Mope around my house, or get out here and help find the sick bastard.”
“Except they won’t really let us.” Avery shook her head, and looked down at her leg again. “I wanted to go back.”
“Hmm?”
“I wanted to prove to myself that I could go back to my apartment. With the killer still free…”
They looked at each other, and Avery leaned in, and whispered, “Do you think he’ll come back for us?”
At the next moment, Inspector Cotter came through the door, and shut it behind him.
“I’ll get back to you both, alright? Officer Minicozzi’s just outside. If you need him, just knock.”
“What’s going on?” Fiona asked, louder than she had intended.
“I’ll be back soon.” His hand was back on the door knob.
They both nodded, and looked at each other after he left. Fiona saw a fragile girl in front of her, and every tear that Avery had cried when she retold her story made her feel more uncomfortable.
She truly believed the girl in front of her needed help.
Protection.
What Fiona needed, she thought, was a gun, and a chance to be alone with her attacker.
Chapter 44
Noah followed Ethan down the long corridor, and waited by the door as he spoke to the officer who brought Arnold Henderson in.
“He was just out front?”
“Well, yeah,” the officer stuttered, “I mean no, he was at the front desk. He stated his name, and right away I knew, so I placed him under arrest. His lawyer showed up before I could even take him ‘round back.”
Lies Come True Page 13
