by BJ Bourg
Rick hesitated for a moment. Finally, he asked if Cindy was in trouble.
“Not at all.” I tried to sound reassuring. At least, not at the moment. “I simply need to ask her if she knew what his plans were for last night and today.”
“Let me speak with Judith. She might be able to bring her for me.” He turned and disappeared into the house. After a minute or two, he returned with Judith, Cindy, and Burton.
“Judith will take her,” Rick said. “Is it okay if my son rides along?”
I shrugged. “I’m fine with it.”
“I don’t know why I have to go,” Burton grumbled. “I wasn’t dating the loser.”
“That’s enough, Burt,” Judith snapped, pushing her long brown hair out of her face in angry fashion. “Cindy doesn’t want to go either, but she’s got no choice.”
I thought about correcting her and telling her I couldn’t legally force Cindy to come to the station if she didn’t want to, but decided against it. If I corrected Judith, she might refuse to bring Cindy—and who was I to regulate her assumptions, anyway?
As Judith and her children walked to the black Jeep Grand Cherokee parked under the carport, Rick called out from the porch and thanked me for my rapid response on Monday. “The boys told me you didn’t waste any time getting here. I really appreciate it. It’s good to know we live in a community where the law can get here at the drop of a hat.”
I waved my thanks and then turned to Baylor when we reached the edge of the concrete driveway. “You can head home if you like. It’s been a long day.”
“I thought I’d go to the office and get my report done first—while things are still fresh in my mind.”
I liked his initiative. “I appreciate your help today, Baylor.”
“Are you kidding?” he said. “I love this stuff. It beats writing tickets any day.”
I thanked him again and backed my Tahoe out of the driveway so he could leave. I then pulled forward and waited for Judith to back out of the driveway. Once her headlights were shining in my rearview mirror, I headed for the office. I caught glimpses of Judith’s and Cindy’s faces as we passed under the street lights along Dire Lane. It looked like Judith was scolding Cindy, who just sat with her head buried in her hands. It looked like she was crying.
I was turning down Washington Avenue when Susan called.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“A mile from the office.”
“Did Cindy agree to come in?”
“Yep…she’s right behind me with her mother.”
“Mind if I sit in on the interview?”
“I’d love it.”
There was a brief pause, where I heard her take a deep breath, and then she said, “Do you remember the lady with the little boy named Sammy?”
“From Bad Loup Burgers?”
“She’s the one.”
“Considering it only happened yesterday and I haven’t been beaten in the head like you have, I do remember.”
“Well, her name is Allie and she’s in the hospital.”
“What?” I nearly smashed the brakes in shock. “What happened? Is she okay?”
“It was her husband…Jake Boudreaux. He was angry because Sammy said some nice man bought them lunch, so he took an old Stillson wrench to her ribs and legs. She’s messed up bad—can’t walk.”
“No…” My heart sank to my boots. Guilt suddenly turned to anger and I cursed out loud. “Where is this prick?”
“He’s on the loose. Melvin swore out a warrant for him and he’s looking for him right now. He thinks the prick left town, but as soon as we’re done with Cindy Vincent, I’m going to stay out and help him look for Jake.”
Any normal husband would probably worry about his wife in a situation like this, but I wasn’t. While police work was dangerous and I did worry about her in general, I knew Susan was more than capable of taking care of herself. I’d often said the safest place in town was right next to her.
“What about Sammy?” I asked. “Where is he and how’s he doing?”
“He’s with his grandparents—Allie’s mom and dad. He’s fine, but Jake slapped him and left a mark on his cheek.”
I squeezed the steering wheel so hard I thought I’d snap it. I wanted to get my hands on Jake Boudreaux something fierce. “I’ll stay out and help y’all look for him,” I said. “And I hope to find him first.”
CHAPTER 22
Cindy Vincent’s orange freckles glistened brightly in the tears that streamed down her cheeks. They matched the color of her hair. She had taken a seat in one of the visitor’s chairs in my office and I sat in the other chair beside her. Susan sat behind my desk and was prepared to take notes for me.
“It’s okay,” I said to Cindy in as soothing a voice as I could manage. “You’re not in any trouble. I promise. I just need your help in finding out what Troy Gandy was up to last night.”
“I don’t know anything about him.”
“Before we get to that, let me ask some basic questions.” I then proceeded to ask her for her age, date of birth, address, home phone number, and then her cell phone number. She provided all of it and I noticed immediately that her cell phone number matched the one in Troy’s phone that was assigned to “Sin”.
“Is it true that you and Troy Gandy were dating?”
She shook her head. “I heard that cop tell my dad we were dating, but that’s not true. I’m not allowed to date anyone. I barely even know him.”
“When was the last time you heard from Troy yesterday?”
“I already said I don’t know anything about him.” She was staring down at her hands and wouldn’t look up at me.
“Well, when’s the last time you saw him?”
“Like talked to him or just saw him?”
“Saw him.”
“Yesterday at school.”
“When’s the last time you talked to him?”
“I don’t talk to him.”
I frowned, not wanting to interrogate this young girl. It would be emotionally scarring enough to learn that her boyfriend had been murdered, and I didn’t want to make it worse by forcing the truth out of her. I leaned close and asked if she would look at me. She slowly lifted her head.
“Listen, Cindy…I know you were dating Troy and I know he was supposed to meet you last night. I have his phone and I know you’re listed as S-i-n in his contacts.” I paused to let that information sink in, and her chin slowly began to quiver. “I need to know if he made it to your house.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cindy said weakly. “I don’t talk to Troy.”
“I’m aware your parents don’t know about your relationship with Troy, and I know he’s been sneaking in your room at night. That’s not my concern and your personal information will stay in this room”—I waved my hand around—“between the three of us. I simply need to know if he made it to your house last night.”
Cindy shifted in her chair and brushed some tears away from her face. “Why are you even asking me about Troy? Did he do something wrong?”
“No, young lady, he didn’t do anything wrong,” I said slowly. “Something bad happened to him.”
She gasped out loud. “What? What happened to him?”
“Don’t you know?”
“No! What happened?”
“Did he make it to your house last night?”
“No, okay! He didn’t make it to my house.” Cindy spat the words, and tears sprayed from her mouth as she spoke. “He texted me and told me he was coming, but he never made it. Now, what happened to him?”
“I need you to prepare yourself, okay?” I paused and stared into her bloodshot eyes. “Troy was found in a field north of his house.”
Cindy stared blankly at me. “What was he doing in a field? Was he lost? Did he go the wrong way?”
“No.”
“Well, what happened?”
“Someone hurt him, Cindy. They hurt him and left him in a field.”
“How�
��but…is he okay? How bad is he hurt?”
“He’s gone, Cindy. He’s gone.”
I wasn’t prepared for how she’d react. She jumped to her feet and screamed in my face. The veins in her neck bulged and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. I stood and reached out for her shoulders, but she pushed me and ran for the door, trying desperately to work the knob.
Susan was on Cindy in a flash and wrapped her arms around her, trying to keep her from flailing about and hurting herself.
“It’s okay, sweetie, I’ve got you,” Susan said calmly. “Go ahead and cry…let it all out.”
I heard some excited chatter from the lobby area and I brushed by Susan and Cindy to deal with Judith Vincent. When I stepped into the lobby, she and Burton were on their feet.
“What did you do to my daughter?” Judith asked in an accusing tone. “Why is she crying? What did you do?”
“This fellow, Troy Gandy—”
“She already said she wasn’t dating anyone and I believe her!”
“I understand, but… Well, ma’am, we found Troy dead this afternoon,” I explained. “She freaked out when we told her.”
“Why would she freak out? She said she doesn’t even know the kid.”
“You’ll have to ask her that question,” I said flatly.
“She does know him, Ma,” Burton said in a hoarse voice. “He’s been by the house when you and Dad were at work.”
Judith whirled on him. “What? And you never told us? That’s it—you’re grounded until your twentieth birthday, boy! I can’t believe you would keep something like this from us!”
“She threatened me.” Burton threw up his hands as though to say, “What was I supposed to do?”
Judith started to yell at Burton again, but I stepped forward. “Ma’am, you’re going to have to lower your voice if you want to remain in this building. I understand you’re upset, but you’d better get a hold of yourself.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock and then slowly clamped shut as she realized I wasn’t smiling.
“Now, your daughter’s upset and she’s going to need you to be calm.”
“I want to see her.”
“I understand, but can you just give us a few more minutes with her? Troy was supposed to meet her at your house last night and we need to know if he showed up or not.”
She rubbed her face and then began digging in her purse. “I need to call Rick. He should be here.”
“Good idea,” I said. “I’ll finish taking Cindy’s statement and then she’ll be free to go.”
I closed the lobby door behind me and strode to my office. Cindy was back sitting in the chair and wasn’t screaming anymore, but she was crying hysterically.
“I…I don’t understand,” she wailed. “I just spoke to him last night. He was fine.”
“Are you sure he didn’t make it to your house?” I asked.
“I’m positive. He texted me saying he was on his way. It usually only takes him about ten minutes to ride his bike to my house, but he never showed up. I texted him to see where he was, but he never answered.” She shuddered violently. “I…I just figured his mom woke up and he couldn’t leave or maybe she caught him leaving and took his phone away. That’s how she usually punishes him—by taking away his phone.”
“You said he rides his bike to your house. Where does he park it?”
“He hides it behind my dad’s garage, in between these two big drums that are back there.”
I nodded and glanced at Susan to see if she had any questions. She frowned and shook her head, still with one arm wrapped tightly around Cindy. We all sat quietly for a few moments, with nothing but the sound of Cindy’s sniffling filling the room. After a long few minutes, Cindy asked how Troy had been killed.
“Was he shot?” she asked, her voice still quivering.
“No,” I said. “Why do you want to know if he was shot?”
Cindy recounted a story of how Troy had gone to her house to visit while Burton and his friends were there. “Troy was going in my room so we could study and Burt threatened to shoot him.”
I felt my ears perk up. “Really? When was this?”
“The same day he and his friends found that man in the canal. They were bullying Troy when he came to visit me and Burton said he had the green light to shoot him if he came in my room.”
“You don’t really think Burton would hurt another kid, do you?” I asked.
Cindy shrugged. “He set the neighbor’s hay bales on fire.”
CHAPTER 23
After escorting Cindy to the lobby with her mom, I turned to Burton. “Why don’t you come with me for a minute?” I said. “I’ve got a few questions for you.”
“Me?” Burton turned from me to his sister. He sneered when they locked eyes. “I didn’t do anything wrong, so why am I being called in?”
“Burt, do what you’re told,” Judith said. “Don’t make me call your dad.”
Grumbling to himself, Burton stood and followed me to my office. I pointed to the chair next to Susan and he fell into it. He tried to look tough and unbothered by the fact that he was in a police station being questioned, but I could see beyond the façade.
“So, as you’re already aware, Troy Gandy was found dead,” I began. “I was hoping you could help us figure out what happened to him.”
Burton shrugged. “I’ve got no idea what happened to him. All I know is that he was dating my sister without my dad’s permission. He’d come to the house after school before my parents would get home and they’d go in her room and close the door.”
“Did you know that he was sneaking in Cindy’s window at night?”
That got his attention. “What?”
“Does that make you mad?” I stared him right in the eye and watched as he fidgeted in his chair.
“I don’t really care what Cindy does.”
“Is that so? Then why’d you threaten to shoot Troy when he went in Cindy’s room?”
“That’s a lie!” Burton’s mouth dropped open in feigned disbelief and he shot a thumb toward the lobby. “Did she tell you that? Because I can prove it didn’t happen. I never made any threats to Troy. I was nice to him.”
“How can you prove it?” I asked.
“I can get Kegan to come tell you what happened. He was there and saw the whole thing.”
“Oh, Kegan…he was with you when you found our victim.”
Burton nodded. “That’s the one. He can tell you what happened. If anything, Troy threatened me.”
I nodded slowly and reached for the file folder at the far corner of my desk. I dug in it until I found the envelope containing the memory card with the crime scene photos. I shoved it in the SD port on my computer and fired it up. Once I found the picture of Troy’s phone, I swung my monitor around so Burton could see it.
“Do you know what that is?” I asked.
He shrugged. “A smart phone.”
“Not just any smart phone—it’s Troy’s smart phone.” I minimized the picture and rested my elbows on the desk. “Would it surprise you if I said Troy recorded the conversation between you and him on his phone?”
Burton hesitated and I saw his Adam’s apple move vertically as he swallowed hard. I knew I had him.
“Sure, I can call Kegan down here and question him. He might even lie for you.” I placed my hands flat on the desk and spread my fingers. “But who do you think a jury would believe—you and your friend or an actual recording?”
“I…I didn’t.” Burton gulped again. “I didn’t threaten him.”
“Look,” I said, waving dismissively, “if you were messing around and said you were going to shoot him as a joke—just to scare him so he wouldn’t be mean to your sister—that’s one thing. But if you’re going to sit here and lie about it, I’ve got to think the threat was credible and you did something to carry it out. Maybe you caught him parking his bicycle behind the garage and you took matters into your own hands. Maybe you started arguing at first and everythi
ng just happened so fast. It was an accident, perhaps.”
Burton’s eyes were growing wider and wider. Although I wouldn’t have thought it possible, his face grew even whiter than it was normally. “I didn’t do anything to him!”
“How can I believe you about the murder when you won’t tell the truth about the threat?”
“I didn’t do it.” His voice had lost its bravado. I thought he was about to start crying.
“Like I said, I want to believe you, but I can’t as long as you continue to lie.” I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest, studying him with cold eyes. “Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to spend the rest of your life in prison?”
Burton gasped. “No!”
“Well, you’d better start thinking about it and making preparations, because that’ll be your future if you weren’t joking with Troy.”
“I didn’t threaten him!”
“Were you planning to shoot him if you caught him on your property again?”
“No!” He shook his head violently from side to side.
“Were you planning to kill him in some other way if you caught him sneaking into your sister’s room?”
“No, sir!”
“So, it was all a joke?”
“Yes, sir!” The instant he said it, he realized he had just admitted to making the threat. His shoulders drooped. “I would never hurt anyone. I swear it.”
“Why were you joking with him?”
Burton shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I was just trying to protect my sister.”
“Would you hurt anyone to protect her?”
He shook his head again. “I’d never hurt anyone—and I definitely wouldn’t kill a person.”
I continued studying him. He seemed to finally be telling the truth, but I wanted to test him a little more. “Remember when your neighbor’s hay bales caught fire on New Years?”
He sighed heavily. “Yes, sir.”
“Who did that?”
“I did, but it was an accident. I was shooting off some bottle rockets and one of them went crazy and landed in the hay. I tried to put out the fire, but it spread too fast.”
