Murder Past Due

by Miranda James

  THREE

  “You’re Justin’s father?” I stared at Godfrey, feeling as if this was a bizarre joke. Back in high school he had a reputation for outlandish pranks.

  Godfrey nodded, and I was sure he was serious.

  But why the heck was he telling me this? Simply because Justin boarded with me?

  “This is incredible.” A fatuous reaction, but I had to say something.

  “Yeah, it is,” Godfrey said. Looking down at his hands, he continued. “I had no idea until about six months ago that I had a son. I can’t believe Julia never told me.” His voice had an odd note in it.

  “Julia Wardlaw?” I sounded like a not-very-bright parrot, I decided.

  Godfrey glanced up at me. “Yes, surely you remember her from high school. Julia Peterson. God, she was beautiful.” He smiled.

  Julia had been a knockout thirty years ago. I saw her on a weekly basis now, when she came on Fridays to pick up Justin and take him home for the weekend. Sadly, the years had not been kind. “Have you seen her lately?” I said.

  “No, but I’ve talked to her,” Godfrey said. “She wrote to me through my website. Told me about Justin, and I about fell through the floor.”

  “I can imagine.” Knowing this helped me put a few things together. When Julia brought Justin to my house, helping him move in his things, she told me more about her family. Obviously as reluctant to tell me as I was to hear it, she seemed to feel it her duty anyway. Justin and his father, Ezra, argued over Justin’s choice of schools. Ezra Wardlaw wanted Justin to attend a small Bible college and follow him into the ministry. Justin rebelled, supported by Julia. He was their only child, and the betrayal—that was the very word Julia had used, quoting her husband—had hit Ezra hard.

  “This is really none of my business,” I said, “but are you sure Justin is your son?”

  “Absolutely.” Godfrey looked at me like I was an idiot. “You don’t think I’d take someone’s word for it? But I knew it was a possibility. In my position, I have to be sure, so I insisted on a DNA test.”

  “Naturally,” I said, my tone wry. “It’s still none of my business, but what do you plan to do?”

  “I want to meet Justin,” Godfrey said. “Talk to him, explain the situation. Now that I know, I want to be part of his life.”

  Perhaps Justin already knew about his famous biological father, I thought. Julia could have told him recently, knowing that Godfrey was coming to Athena. It had been announced in the local paper a couple of weeks ago.

  If Justin knew, that might explain his behavior the past few days. News that his father wasn’t Ezra Wardlaw, but Godfrey Priest, would have come as a huge shock. Poor kid, I thought.

  “What is it?” Godfrey stared at me.

  “Thinking about Justin, that’s all.” I was not going to share my thoughts on this with Godfrey. Besides, I was only speculating.

  “You like him? Think he’s a good kid?” Godfrey sounded so eager, I felt sorry for him. But I was more concerned with Justin’s reactions to all this. Would he be able to cope with another father in his life?

  “Yes, I do. He’s a nice, intelligent young man.” Behind me, Diesel added his opinion, emitting a few trills and chirps. He knew whom we were discussing. “He’s a son you can be proud to acknowledge.”

  “Thank you, Charlie,” Godfrey said. “You have no idea what that means to me.” He sounded pathetically grateful, and I sympathized.

  “When will you talk to him?”

  “I’m supposed to meet Julia for lunch,” Godfrey said. He checked his watch. “If she can get away from Misery, that is. I still can’t believe she married that guy.”

  “Misery” was an old nickname for Ezra Wardlaw. He was several years older than Godfrey, Julia, and I, and by the time we were in high school, Ezra already had a reputation as a fire-and-brimstone Evangelical preacher.

  “I was in Texas by the time they got married,” I said. “The last time we had heard from her, she was dating Rick Tackett and it sounded pretty serious.” I had forgotten about that until now. Funny how things popped back into the memory sometimes.

  “Rick Tackett?” Godfrey’s tone was sharp. “How do you know that?”

  “We came to spend Christmas with Aunt Dottie around then, and we ran into Julia and Rick somewhere. At the grocery store, I think.” I paused. “You know him?”

  “Yeah, I know him,” Godfrey said, but it didn’t sound like he cared much for him.

  “Anyway, that’s why I was so surprised when I heard she married Ezra.”

  Godfrey stared down at his hands. “Guess that’s my fault. I spent a few months here, about nineteen years ago, doing research for one of my early books. We spent some time together. I’d divorced my first wife, and Julia seemed to be on her own.”

  “Seemed to be?”

  “She was attending Ezra’s church, and they had been dating. But while I was here she didn’t see much of him.” He squirmed in the chair, his eyes still cast downward. “I had no idea I’d gotten her pregnant. I finished my research and went back to California.”

  I’d bet there was more to the story than Godfrey told me. I got the feeling he lied about not knowing about Julia’s pregnancy.

  “You left, and she married Ezra Wardlaw.” I watched him, wondering if he would look at me. “And she never got in touch with you to let you know she about Justin?”

  Godfrey shifted in his chair again. “No, she didn’t.”

  This behavior convinced me he was lying, but I wouldn’t call him on it. What would be the point?

  “Why are you telling me all this?” I said.

  Examining his hands again, Godfrey said, “You’re the only old friend I have in Athena—besides Julia, of course—and my son is living in your house. I thought you should know, since I’ll be in town for a while, hoping I can get to know my son.”

  His only “old friend”? I almost laughed at that. Considering our history in high school and college, Godfrey had to be pretty desperate to call me his friend. After the way he treated me, I shouldn’t even be talking to him.

  Even though he was still a jerk, I couldn’t, in good conscience, turn my back on him. As a father, I could sympathize with his situation.

  “I’ll do what I can,” I told him.

  His face brightened.

  “But you need to keep in mind that Justin is in his first semester of college. He’s facing a lot of stress as it is, and you need to be careful about adding more.”

  “I understand,” Godfrey said. “I just want to be a part of his life, if he’ll let me.” He leaned back in his chair. “But I’d really like to take him to California with me for a while. We could get to know each other, he could have a little fun—which we both know he hasn’t had with Misery in the picture. Maybe take off for Europe, if he’d like that.”

  Protesting would do no good, I realized. Julia would be horrified if she heard this, because I knew she wouldn’t want Justin that far away from her. But they would have to work this out themselves. It was none of my business.

  Diesel jumped down from the window and walked over to Godfrey’s chair. He sat up on his hind legs and stretched out one of his front legs, resting his paw on Godfrey’s knee. Godfrey stared down at Diesel in surprise.

  “He does that sometimes,” I said. “He seems to sense people’s feelings, and he tries to comfort them.”

  “Thank you, buddy,” Godfrey said, his voice soft as he touched Diesel’s paw lightly with his hand.

  Diesel muttered, withdrew his paw, and went back to his window.

  Godfrey shook his head. “I’ve got to put him in a book. That was freaky.”

  “Diesel is a special cat.” I smiled and reached for a piece of scrap paper. Picking up a pen, I jotted down my telephone number. “Call me and let me know when you’ll be coming by the house, okay?”

  Godfrey accepted the paper. “Thanks, Charlie. I’ve got another appointment before I meet Julia for lunch.” He stood.

  I stood
too and accepted the hand he proffered. “Good luck. I hope things work out for you with Justin.”

  Godfrey thanked me again, and I watched as he strode out of the room.

  “What a mess,” I said.

  I didn’t realize I had spoken the words until I felt Diesel’s paw on my shoulder. When I turned to face him, Diesel gazed at me, his head cocked a bit to the right. It was uncanny, the things this cat seemed to understand. “Yes, it’s a messy situation. Poor Justin.” I shook my head. “Poor Godfrey, poor Julia, and even poor Ezra.”

  Diesel trilled a couple of times.

  “Somehow I think we’ll be in the middle of it, too. With Justin in our house, there’s no way to avoid it.”

  Diesel chirped.

  “We’ll support Justin any way we can.” I spoke with more assurance than I felt. “If he wants our help, that is.” I couldn’t believe I was saying such things. What had happened to my resolve to steer away from emotional complications?

  I stared at my cat as if he could answer that for me. Diesel blinked slowly before settling back down to nap.

  For a few minutes, I thought about what had just occurred in my office. Godfrey started out as I remembered him—cocksure, swaggering, self-involved. His manner changed, though, his self-assurance seemingly gone when he told me about Justin. Perhaps having a son humbled him.

  But there was more to it. The way he squirmed when talking about Julia. He lied to me about that. He had been lying to himself for years. He knew all along Julia was pregnant, but for whatever reason he hadn’t been willing to acknowledge it. Until now. Why? I wondered. Maybe hitting fifty had done it.

  I turned to my computer. All this speculation gave me a headache. I needed to focus on work and forget about distractions.

  I managed to keep myself busy until lunchtime, continuing with my cataloging. Around eleven-thirty I put down my pencil, set my computer to standby, and stood.

  “Come on, boy.” I rubbed Diesel’s head. “Let’s go home for lunch.”

  A few minutes later, Diesel and I were heading for home. The temperature had risen a few degrees, but the weather remained pleasantly cool. Being back in northern Mississippi, where there were actually four seasons a year, made a welcome change from Houston with its two seasons. Summer and not-summer, as I liked to call them.

  As I inserted my key in the front door, I heard voices inside. Loud voices, full of anger.

  I opened the door, Diesel on my heels.

  Ezra Wardlaw stood in the living room, shaking a finger at Justin. The boy sat, head bowed, on the sofa. They were so involved in their argument, they paid no attention to Diesel and me.

  “. . . get your things right now. You’re coming home.” Ezra’s face was so red I thought he might stroke out.

  “I’m not leaving.” Justin looked up at his father and yelled back at him. “And you’re not my father!”

  “Don’t you dare speak to me like that.” Ezra’s arm drew back.

  I winced as Ezra’s hand connected with Justin’s face. Justin’s head rocked back, and Ezra stepped closer.

  I stepped forward, determined to prevent any more violence in my house.

  “Stop that.” I dropped Diesel’s leash, and I heard, rather than saw, Diesel run out of the room. He hated loud voices. “Don’t strike that boy again.”

  Ezra whirled to face me. “This is none of your business. Keep out of it.”

  Justin rubbed his face gingerly. He looked straight at me. He mouthed the word please.

  “It is my business. You’re in my house.” I kept my voice and tone firm. “You will not strike anyone in this house, or I’ll call the police. Understood?” I took a step closer to him. I was taller, by about three inches, and I outweighed him by a few pounds, too. If I had to, I’d knock some sense into him.

  Ezra glared at me, but his hands stayed by his sides as he turned back to his son. “Get your things. Now.”

  “I’m eighteen. I don’t have to go anywhere with you.” Justin stared up at Ezra, resolve in his eyes.

  Ezra’s chest heaved. He seemed to be struggling for breath.

  “You should leave now.” I waited, ready to intervene if necessary.

  Backing away from his son, but never losing eye contact, Ezra said, “This isn’t over. That bastard will rot in hell before he takes you away from me.”

  FOUR

  After that statement, Ezra stomped out of the room. Moments later, the door slammed so hard the windows in the living room rattled.

  “I hate him.” Justin’s voice bore such loathing. What had Ezra done to this boy to make Justin despise him so?

  “Come with me, son. We need to put some ice on your cheek. It’s swelling already.”

  Justin blinked at me. I think he’d forgotten I was in the room. “Yes, sir.” He stood but didn’t move forward.

  I took him gently by the arm and led him into the kitchen. After his last outburst, he appeared listless, watching me with dulled eyes.

  He leaned against the sink while I got ice cubes from the dispenser and wrapped them in a dish towel.

  “Here,” I said. “Hold this to your cheek. It will feel better.”

  His cheek was still an angry red. He was going to have a terrific bruise there.

  Justin accepted the towel and put it against his face. He winced, but he held the towel in place.

  As I watched, concerned, wondering what else I could do for him, he started crying. Quietly, at first. Then harder and louder, the sobs beginning to wrack his body.

  Poor kid. This was more than he should have to bear. I put an arm around his shoulder, and he hugged himself to me with his free arm.

  I spoke to him, keeping my voice low and soothing, and the sobs diminished.

  Feeling a cat rubbing against my leg, I looked down. Diesel had come out of hiding, and now he watched me, wanting to help.

  “Justin, look. Diesel’s here. He wants to talk to you.”

  Sniffling, Justin pulled away from me, gazing down at the anxious feline face. He sat down on the floor, towel still against his cheek. Diesel rubbed his head on Justin’s chin.

  The cat climbed into the boy’s lap, his rumbling purr loud in the room. Head bent, Justin let Diesel lick his uncovered cheek.

  Smiling, I left the kitchen, knowing that Justin was in good paws. Diesel could bring him comfort, and Justin needed it.

  I used the downstairs bathroom, taking my time washing my hands. I stared at my reflection. For all my talk of minding my own business, I had walked right into a messy situation. How would Julia react when she found out what Ezra had done? She had a fiery temper as a young woman. She might light into Ezra the way he had lit into Justin. What a mess.

  Finished washing my hands, I judged it okay to go back to the kitchen.

  Justin now sat in a chair, Diesel in his lap. Boy and cat glanced at me. Justin seemed calmer, and Diesel no longer looked anxious. A bruise was forming on the boy’s cheek.

  “How about some lunch, guys?” I went to the refrigerator. “Diesel has his crunchies if he wants them, but I need something else.”

  I stared into the fridge, waiting for Justin to respond. He was probably embarrassed, poor kid. He might be eighteen in years, but he was still a boy in so many ways.

  “There’s still plenty of that ham Azalea baked. I think I’ll make some sandwiches.” I turned to face the table. “How about you, Justin? I make a pretty good ham sandwich.”

  Justin’s head dipped down for a moment. He rubbed Diesel’s head. “That sounds good. But I can make my own.”

  “Tell you what,” I said. “I’ll slice the ham, and you can get everything else together. Okay?”

  “Yes, sir,” Justin said. Diesel jumped down from his lap and padded off in search of his own lunch.

  Justin came to the sink and washed his hands, still avoiding looking directly at me.

  I set the plated ham on the counter, found a knife, and started carving thick slices. Azalea cooked a mighty fine ham, and my m
outh was already watering.

  Justin retrieved mustard and mayo from the fridge, along with a jar of Azalea’s homemade pickles. He set it all on the table, along with the bread and a big bag of potato chips. Next he found plates and knives, along with napkins, and arranged them.

  “Would you get me a can of Diet Coke?” I asked.

  Justin went back to the refrigerator, pulling out my Diet Coke and a can of regular for him.

  He sat down at the table, waiting for me to finish. I had sliced enough ham for four or five sandwiches, I figured. That should do.

  I brought the ham to the table and sat down, cater-corner from Justin. He held out the loaf of bread to me, and I took four slices. “I don’t know about you, but I’m betting I can eat at least two sandwiches.”

  “I’m kinda hungry too.” He seemed surprised that he had an appetite. He waited while I helped myself to the mayo and mustard before making his first sandwich.

  I poured some chips onto my plate, watching as Justin carefully spread a thick layer of mayo on two slices of wheat bread.

  He still wouldn’t look at me.

  “I want you to know, son,” I said, “that you can talk to me, if you want to. I’ll help you any way I can, and Diesel will, too.”

  Justin smiled at that and looked me in the face finally. “Thank you, Mr. Charlie. I appreciate that.” He took a bite of his sandwich and winced. When he finished chewing—slowly—he spoke again.

  “I’m glad you came home when you did.” He paused for a moment. His gaze shifted away. “He would’ve beat the crap out of me if you hadn’t.”

  My stomach clenched in anger. “Has he beaten you before?”

  Justin nodded. “Yes, sir. He doesn’t like it when I defy him.”

  He said it so matter-of-factly that my heart ached for him. “You don’t have to put up with that anymore. Don’t let him in the house when I’m not here.”

  “No, sir, I won’t.” Justin ate some more of his sandwich. He touched his bruised cheek a couple of times. I was sure it was pretty sore.

  Trying to appear calm, I was stewing inside. I’m not normally a violent man—far from it—but violence against children makes me furious. My father had been, like Ezra Wardlaw, a devout Evangelical. Stern, demanding, but he never once raised his hand against me. I tried his patience often enough, but his firm and loving discipline taught me what I needed to know. I felt the back of my mother’s hairbrush on my bottom a few times, but she never struck hard enough even to bruise me.