Suspicion of Guilt

by Tracey V. Bateman

  A wave of dizziness swept him. How could Jonathon have loved that verse?

  “Jonathon knew that if He could find him in the darkness of prison, then He must also have known him in the darkness of his mother’s womb. When he felt alone, it comforted him to know that God was still writing the story of his life.”

  “I have to go.” Reece shoved to his feet and stumbled to the door.

  “Wait, detective.” The chaplain reached him in a few short strides. He handed Reece the Bible. A few letters were stuffed inside. “At least take this with you.”

  Reece hesitated, but nodded and grabbed the Bible. He walked through the gates, wishing he’d never come in the first place.

  Chapter Twenty

  Denni glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. Forty-eight hours had officially passed since Reece had gotten off duty. Still, not one word. This wasn’t like him. Particularly now that he had something concrete to investigate.

  So much for Raven’s theory about him being a man in love. As a matter of fact, Denni was more than certain that he never had been. And now that he’d saved her life, he was probably worried she’d cling to him like a spider monkey.

  Righteous indignation slithered through her at the thought. What was she doing? Sitting around the house like a whiny, waiting, desperate female? She raised her chin in silent defiance of her own folly.

  No more waiting. She, Denni Mahoney, was ready to get on with her life. Reece Corrigan or no Reece Corrigan.

  When a knock sounded at her door, she jumped, nearly tipping her mug of coffee. Reece? Her heart did a loop-the-loop, and her resolve transported into the same expanse of time and space that her New Year’s resolutions seemed to melt into every year between January tenth and the fifteenth. And in this case, her pride quickly followed.

  A quick pat-down of her hair and a critical perusal in the hall mirror made her cringe. But Reece had seen her in the hospital, and she looked a lot better now than she had then. Of course, he hadn’t been around since dropping her off, so maybe he couldn’t take reality after all. Shaking her head, she pushed back the crazy thought. In her heart, she knew he was busy trying to crack this case before the culprit met his or her objective. But could she help it if she missed him?

  She pasted on a smile, gathered a breath and opened the door. Then blinked in surprise. “Mr. Terrie?” The liaison from one of her possible church sponsors stood at her door, looking as though he had every right to be there. “Wh-what can I do for you?”

  Mr. Terrie frowned. “I’m here to check your progress. Remember I called yesterday?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t receive the message.” How could one of the girls take a message and not tell her about something this important? Her mind shot through the house, mentally assessing the neatness—or not—of each room.

  Mr. Terrie remained on the porch, looking at her as though he wondered if she was going to let him in. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she opened the door wider, stepping aside to allow entrance. “Please, come in.”

  For the next thirty minutes, Denni led him through the house, pinpointing areas where she, Reece and the girls had made improvements—from the repaired leaky faucets, to the new deck. She refrained from offering information about the fire and the gas leak. And he didn’t ask.

  At the end of the tour, Mr. Terrie pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his forehead. He smiled at Denni and gave her a fatherly wink.

  “I very much admire what you’re trying to do here. It’s not easy being a pioneer. I caught a glimpse of your revised proposal and I was impressed with your plans to integrate more ministry-minded programs such as pastoral counseling and group sessions with Christian-based counselors.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Terrie. To be honest, my vision wasn’t quite that far-reaching until Elizabeth shared her concerns with me. And I have to admit I agreed with her. If the project is going to have the potential to change these girls’ lives forever, I have to take more steps to provide for their spiritual growth. I’m glad you approve.”

  “I do. Very much and as far as I’m concerned, you have my recommendation for funding. I intend to make some calls and offer endorsement to the other churches considering your project and encourage them to do the same.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Terrie. I appreciate that more than you know.”

  Moments later, Denni showed him to the door, her heart lighter than it had been in days.

  Mr. Terrie made good on his promise, and by the end of the day four more possible sponsors had called, congratulating her on receiving their support for the coming year.

  “Cate,” she said later as they prepared a light dinner for just the two of them. “What do you think about an open house?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think we should have an open house and invite the sponsors and anyone else who might want to see what we’re all about.”

  “Sounds all right. What have you heard from Miss Wilson?”

  Denni heaved a sigh. She hadn’t seen Elizabeth since the night of the birthday party. She knew Reece suspected the woman. “I don’t know. The support we’ll receive from the other churches will only equal what I get from our church. If we don’t get the funding, we’ll have to hold off on looking at property for at least another year.”

  “Denni?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Who do you think is behind all the stuff going on around here?”

  Denni wanted to pretend the incidents were nothing more than accidents, but the time for burying her head in the sand was over. The attempt on her life was no accident.

  “I just don’t know.”

  The girl’s eyes clouded with worry. “Do you think it’s one of us?”

  “Oh, Cate. I don’t see how it could be.” Denni smiled at her. “I know it wasn’t you. I’m sure I could have taken you down pretty easily…considering your condition.”

  Cate laughed and flexed her muscles. “Not likely.”

  They both grew serious again. Cate set a bowl of salad on the table, then turned back to Denni. “It’s weird to think that one of us might not be who we think.”

  “I know, Cate. But you shouldn’t be worrying about things like that right now. Besides, there’s no way to know if it was someone at the party. Remember the window was open in the basement. So someone might have come in that way. Reece has questioned everyone and apparently is satisfied.”

  Cate gave a snort. “Reece isn’t going to be satisfied until someone is locked up for hurting you. He’s just laying low, would be my guess.”

  Shuddering a breath, Denni nodded her agreement. “I know. Cate, who was home yesterday besides you?”

  “In the daytime?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Only Shelley and Leigh. Rissa had some books to return to the library, and Fran had that interview at Dr. Raymond’s office. Why?”

  She shrugged. “Just wondering. Mr. Terrie mentioned having spoken to me yesterday. So apparently he talked to one of them and assumed it was me. Whoever it was must have forgotten to mention it.”

  Cate studied her for a moment. It was clear that her mind was whirling…Leigh or Shelley? Had they done it deliberately or, as happened on occasion, merely forgotten to pass the word along?

  They sat in silence over their meal, neither eating much.

  Finally, Cate asked, “Do you mind if I beg off cleaning up? I don’t feel real well.”

  Concern filled Denni. “Are you in labor?”

  Cate shook her head. “No cramping or anything. I’m just so tired.”

  “It won’t be long now.”

  A little sigh escaped Cate and sadness crossed her features. “I know.”

  “Are you sure you want to give up the baby, Cate? It’s not set in stone, you know.”

  “I do know. And ever since I started praying again and reading my Bible, I don’t know…I can’t explain it…I just know it’s the right thing to do.” Her eyes misted and she placed a protective hand on her belly. “But I will mi
ss this little one every day of my life.”

  Affection for the girl rose up in Denni. She crossed the room and gathered Cate in her arms, holding her while the pregnant girl sobbed. When Cate’s tears were spent, Denni held her at arm’s length. “You go ahead upstairs and lie down. Yell if you need me.”

  Realizing her own body was beginning to lose steam, Denni washed up the few dishes from their meager fare and wandered upstairs. She changed into a pair of comfy sweats and a T-shirt, grabbed her Bible, and headed for bed.

  She was just dozing off when the doorbell rang. With a start, she pushed off the comforter and padded out into the hall and down the stairs to the front door. One of the girls must have forgotten her key.

  Pulling back the curtain covering the small triangle window, she gasped at the sight of Reece standing there. She flung open the door.

  Without waiting for an invitation, he strode right in. He took her by the arms and his gaze bore down on her, as though trying to read into her soul.

  “Reece,” she choked out. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t wait another second,” he rasped. And as though his emotions were more than he could take, he pulled her into a fierce hug.

  Fear and excitement fired up inside Denni and she clung to Reece, determined that she would stay pure no matter how much she cared for him.

  “Reece,” she whispered. “I—I can’t…”

  He pulled away and peered into her eyes, confusion clouding his. Then he smiled. “You think I meant I wanted to take you upstairs?”

  Heat seared Denni’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I just assumed. I’m stupid. Of course that wasn’t it.”

  Reece pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m a man, Denni. And I love you. It’s a given that I’d want more than kisses and hugs. But I’m not a Neanderthal. I can control myself.” He gave her a lopsided grin.

  Denni’s stomach turned over and she wanted to sink to the floor. “Then, what?”

  “Honey, I need you to help me find God.”

  Denni’s breath caught in her throat as joy bubbled to the surface. “Oh, Reece. That, I can definitely do.”

  Reece felt the wonder of peace for the first time in his memory. It was as though every instant of his life had led him to this moment. He finally understood how empty he was. He’d shed real tears when he’d prayed with Denni. Even now, before his cheeks were completely dry, he didn’t feel shame. Only peace and an inexplicable joy…optimism—and he’d never really been an optimistic kind of guy.

  “You’re smiling again.” Denni’s soft voice caught his attention.

  He snatched up her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “I’ll probably never frown again.”

  “That works for me.”

  Reece squeezed her hand as his gaze caressed her face. She hadn’t asked questions, but had simply granted his request and walked him through a meeting with his Savior. But he wanted her to know what had brought him to this place.

  “My foster brother died in prison a few days ago.”

  A tiny gasp escaped her lips and she covered their joined hands. “I’m so sorry. Were you close?”

  Shaking his head, Reece said flatly. “He killed our foster parents. I’ve hated him ever since—until the day before yesterday.” He told of his meeting with the chaplain of the prison. “He gave some of Jonathon’s letters to me—that I had returned unopened. And his Bible. I wanted to leave them, but something inside me compelled me to open that Bible. Do you know what Jonathon’s favorite verse was?”

  Denni shook her head.

  “The same one I read to Cate at the hospital.”

  “Oh, Reece.”

  “When I saw that, I realized that Jonathon had read the verse just like I had, and just like Cate had. It was hard to swallow at first. I was angry with God, because if I wasn’t an accident, then neither was Jonathon. And if he wasn’t, then God had purposely created the man who had killed the only parents who ever loved me. I felt betrayed. Just as betrayed by God as by Jonathon.”

  Denni tightened her grip on his hand, encouraging him to continue.

  “Everyone said Jonathon was dangerous. A time bomb just ticking away. But we didn’t believe it. I figured he was all mouth. And the Ides believed that giving him real love would calm him. Change him. But that didn’t mean they would put up with just anything. A couple of nights before he killed them, they had found a joint in our room. Jonathon had just turned eighteen a few days earlier, so they told him he would have to move out. He was packing his bag…”

  Swallowing hard, Reece fought against the image filling his mind. The wild eyes. I’ll kill them.

  He shook his head. “He told me what he was going to do. And I thought he was all talk. And then two nights later, he broke in looking for money. When Thomas woke up, Jonathon killed him. Lydia apparently woke up too. I heard her scream, but by the time I got there, she was dead. He stared at me. Reminded me that he’d said he was going to kill them. Then he left. I don’t know why he didn’t kill me too. I think the cops half believed we were in it together. But my story held.”

  Denni’s warm cheek rested against his shoulder. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. No wonder you have such a hard time believing my girls are innocent.”

  “The hardest thing for me all of these years has been the guilt of believing that I might have stopped the killings if I’d gone to the police when Jonathon first said he’d kill them.”

  “But you couldn’t have known. And it’s doubtful they’d have taken you seriously anyway.” She nudged him. “You know how cops are.”

  Reece smiled, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. “I carried the guilt until today when I read a letter he had written to me.” Pulling it out of his windbreaker pocket, Reece read aloud.

  Somewhere in my heart, I know that you blame yourself for not telling the police about the night I left the house. But one absolutely had nothing to do with the other. I was only spouting off out of hurt when I said that to you. I had no intention of ever going back to the house. But I was coming down from a high and wanted another fix. I wasn’t thinking straight and I was out of money. I knew where Lydia hid her Christmas money—that’s what I broke in for. Not to hurt them. But Thomas woke up and came after me. Like any man would to protect his family. I snapped. And you know the rest. It would be too much to ask that you forgive me. But I do hope you’ll forgive yourself.

  Reece drew a ragged breath.

  Denni lifted her head from his shoulder and peered into his eyes. “Do you forgive yourself, Reece?”

  “As much as I can, for now,” he said honestly. “One step at a time.”

  “Denni?”

  Reece glanced up at the sound of the frail voice to find Cate standing in the doorway.

  Denni jumped to her feet. “Is it the baby?”

  Cate nodded. “My water just broke.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “What do you mean she doesn’t work there?” Denni all but yelled into the receiver. “Leigh has been working at the Barbecue Shack for the past three years. Put her on the phone!” New waitresses. What’s the point of even letting them answer the phone? They never know anything.

  The pause that followed soothed Denni’s ruffled feathers until a voice—not Leigh’s—spoke.

  “Denni, is that you?”

  “Mike? Where’s Leigh?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Leigh!”

  “I know who she is, but why would she be here?”

  Oh, brother. Like she really had time for twenty questions when Cate was dilating at this very moment and needed Denni’s hand to hold.

  “She’s working?” Duh!

  “Look, Denni. I don’t want to get involved in anything between the two of you, but Leigh quit here about three months ago. I told her she’d either have to quit the Glass Slipper or here. I just didn’t want men from that crowd recognizing her and causing a scene.”

  Denni gulped, her mind trying to wrap aroun
d two things…one, Leigh had been lying to her for months. Two. Oh, Leigh…the Glass Slipper? Tears stung Denni’s eyes.

  “But I call your restaurant every month to make sure everything is going fine. It’s part of my agreement with the girls when they move into the house.”

  “I’ll look into that. Leigh still has friends who work here—including some of the managers. One of them could be lying for her. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Mike. Thanks.” She replaced the black pay-phone receiver into the cradle and walked back toward the nurse’s station to find out if Cate was settled in enough for her to go and sit with her. She turned as Reece came up behind her. “Okay, the truck is parked as close as I could get. How is she?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Denni said, unable to muster much enthusiasm.

  “Hey, don’t worry. She’s going to be fine.” He slipped his arm around her.

  “I know. It’s not Cate.”

  Pressure on her shoulder halted her. She turned to face him.

  “What is it?”

  “Leigh.”

  “Is she okay?”

  Denni shook her head, biting her lip to stop the trembling. “I called her at work to let her know about Cate.”

  Reece groaned and rubbed his hand over his shaven head.

  A frown creased Denni’s brow. “What?”

  “I assume you mean that you called the barbecue place?”

  “Yes. Where else? Did you know something about Leigh that I didn’t know?”

  “Most likely. I learned about her ‘dancing career’ the other night. Sean was called to the Glass Slipper to break up a fight, and Leigh was in the big middle of it.”

  Disbelief and a sense of betrayal threatened to overwhelm her already taut nerves. “And you didn’t see fit to tell me?”