“But, he won’t get away with it. How did it go last night?”
“I convinced him to stay at my place.”
Justin clenched his jaw. “When I was in that godforsaken hole, I took solace in knowing you were safe. I would watch the monitors and see for myself that you were okay. Now, I can’t sleep at night knowing you’re under the same roof with a psychopath.”
“Trust me. Brandon wants me in his life. He will never harm me.”
Justin fell silent and stared at her. “I miss you.” He kissed the back of her hand. “All I want to do is hold you in my arms.”
Ava wanted nothing more, but for now, she had to keep him at arm’s length. “We have to keep our distance. After today, I won’t see you again until this over. I’ll continue to keep Meghan updated through text, but it’s important I keep to my normal routine.”
He frowned and released her hand. “I can’t wait for us to be alone. There’s plenty we need to sort through.”
Ava sighed. “We only have a few more days.” She checked the time, realizing she had to leave. “I have to go.”
“So soon?”
“Yeah, I’m meeting Tess.” She stood and made her way to the front door. Justin was right behind her. She unlocked the door. Before Ava could turned the knob, Justin grabbed her by the waist and whipped her around. Their eyes connected. Her pulse raced underneath his gaze. He leaned forward, and she bit her lower lip, anxious to taste him. He placed soft pecks on her mouth until she parted her lips, engaging him into a passionate kiss. Her insides ached as he caressed her breast. “Stay,” he murmured.
“I can’t.” She kissed him one last time. “Besides, Meghan can return at any moment.”
He expelled a heavy sigh. “One way or another this will end in a few days.”
“Promise.”
∞∞∞
“Sorry I’m late,” said Ava, jumping into the passenger side of Tess’ car. They were meeting in the parking lot of a consignment shop she frequented.
“I had plenty to keep me occupied. Anyway, how did it go last night after we spoke?”
“Considering I’d just learned the day before the man I once loved is a murderer and kidnapper, I’d say I handled it pretty well. I convinced him we should slow things down and avoid being intimate until our feelings are on the same page.”
“Wow!” She nodded her head with a smile on her face. “That’s pretty good.”
“He bought it, that’s all that matters. Tell me about Scott. How will he help us?”
Tess placed a lock of her hair behind both ears. Something she does when she’s frustrated. “When I first told him, he didn’t believe me. He kept reciting the evidence against Justin. Then I pulled out the pictures, and he was overcome with all sorts of emotions. Anger, disappointment, and sadness.”
“I felt all three of those emotions and many more. It’s hard to believe Brandon is capable of something so heinous.”
“He agreed to look into the matter. He didn’t say it, but I know he’s hoping we’re wrong.”
“I just left Justin and he’s becoming antsy. He keeps talking about turning himself in. Is there anyway Scott can expedite this below-the-radar investigation?”
“I know it would help if Scott could speak with Justin. Do you think you can arrange it?”
Ava turned to stare out of the passenger side window as she weighed her options. “Justin would welcome it. He’ll do anything to get this over with. The problem is he’s with someone who I don’t want to get into any trouble for harboring a fugitive.”
“Scott only wants the truth. You can trust him.”
Ava scrolled through her contacts, stopping at Meghan’s name. When she answered, Ava asked Meghan to switch to speaker phone. With both Meghan and Justin listening, she asked if it was okay if Scott stopped by to interview him. After many assurances from both Ava and Tess that no one would know of Meghan’s involvement, they both agreed. Tess then placed a call to Scott who thanked Ava for trusting him to get to the bottom of what he called an unfortunate situation. After he hung up with Tess, he called back minutes later to say he arranged to speak with Justin later that night.
“While Scott is meeting with Justin. You and I have our own meeting to attend.”
“We do?” asked Tess.
“Yes. Look at what I found.” Ava revealed a white business card from her purse and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Read it. I found it in Brandon’s wallet. I did a little snooping in the middle of the night.”
Tess eyed the card. “Superior Fallout Shelters. Is this the company that installed the bunker?”
“No. I called them this morning on the way to see Justin. I spoke with Conrad Peters and told him I had a problem with the shelter they installed. He checked his records and said they only inspected an existing shelter for potential issues.”
“At least we know Brandon is not totally diabolical. So, it was his uncle who installed it?”
Ava shrugged. “Not sure. Anyway, I told Mr. Peters I have some issues with the door, and he agreed to send someone to look at it this evening.”
Tess frowned and crinkled her nose. “Why?”
“So, we can question him about what Brandon wanted. Any information they can provide I’ll consider helpful.”
“And what about Brandon? You know he’s glued to your backside lately.”
“I’ve got that completely under control.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Ava checked the time on her phone. Almost five, I hope he arrives soon. She stood outside her car on Brandon’s driveway and searched the rural road for any oncoming cars. She and Tess were meeting a representative from Superior Fallout Shelter. Ava came up with the perfect cover so Brandon wouldn’t become suspicious. She told him Tess had invited them both to a party for her reseller group. Knowing he would decline the invitation, he told her to have fun while he made himself comfortable in front of the television with an ice-cold beer in hand.
“What time is he supposed to be here?” asked Tess, exiting the passenger side of Ava’s car.
“We’re early. He still has another fifteen minutes before he’s scheduled to arrive.”
“What do you hope to learn?”
Ava peered over Tess’ shoulder, noticing a black truck slowly approaching from down the street. “I think that’s him.” Tess turned around, and they both watched as the man parked his truck in front of the house alongside the curb. A stocky white-haired gentleman with metal-rimmed glasses exited the vehicle.
“Mrs. Porter?” he asked, climbing up the driveway.
Tess shot Ava a quick look. “Yes, I’m Mrs. Brandon Porter.” Ava extended her hand forward for a handshake. “And this is a family friend Tess Delaney.”
“Nice to meet you both. I’m Conrad Peters, I believe we spoke over the phone concerning a problem with a door in your shelter.”
“Oh,” she said, surprised. “I thought you were sending someone else out.”
“I typically send out the same rep who serviced the home, but that person is handling another account. So, you ladies are stuck with me.”
Ava and Tess traded a glance. “Well, let me show you to the shelter. If you don’t mind, you can follow behind in your truck. The shelter is inside the barn behind the house.”
“No problem. Just lead the way.”
Ava and Tess jumped into Ava’s car. She waited until Conrad was behind them before leading him down the gravel path. “You told him you and Brandon are married?” asked Tess.
“Only to ensure he provided the information I needed.”
“Okay, but what are you going to do once he realizes there’s nothing wrong with the door?”
“Tess, you worry too much.”
Ava parked the car outside the barn, and Conrad parked beside them. “Any farm animals?” he asked with a chuckle.
“No,” laughed Ava. “It’s not really a barn. I only refer to it as such because of its size, but my
husband uses it as a utility shed.” She led him to the door to the bunker. “There’s another interior door past the first flight of stairs that’s having the problem. It’s one of those doors that automatically closes,but doesn’t shut all the time. I believe the latch is off-centered.”
“Umph.” Conrad twisted his lips into a frown. “Let’s have a look.”
Ava unlocked the door and led him down the first flight of stairs. She and Tess then proceeded into the bunker while Conrad inspected the door. After hearing the continuous sound of the door opening and closing, Conrad descended the stairs into the bunker. “It seems to be working fine now.”
Ava shook her head and grinned. “Don’t you hate when that happens? All week that door has been acting up. Now you’re here, it’s fine.”
Conrad chuckled. “Maybe, you can get it on video, and I’ll come back to look at it.”
“That’s a good idea, but I hate you drove out here and couldn’t fix the door.”
“Not an issue at all, Mrs. Porter.”
Ava smiled. “Since you’re here, maybe you can answer a few questions.”
“Whatcha got?”
“You mentioned over the phone my husband obtained your services to have this place inspected. Can you share if he had any other concerns? So, when I record the door, I can lookout for any other problems to bring to your attention.”
Conrad opened the clipboard that had a storage compartment and retrieved a yellow paper. She assumed it was a copy of the original work order. “His main concern was the ventilation system. He wanted to verify it was up to code. This shelter was built in the early nineties. Since then, there have been improvements made to the ventilation and air filtration systems.”
“I had no idea this shelter was here until recently. He even joked we should spend the weekend in here to try it out.”
“When I spoke with Daryl, the rep who worked with your husband, he mentioned he thought about staying down here for a few weeks to get a feel for it. So, Daryl, the ultimate salesman, used the opportunity to upsell him on a couple of improvements. Your hubby didn’t take the bait.”
“This place gives me creeps,” said Tess. “I don’t understand why anyone would want something like this.”
Conrad laughed. “I’m glad they do. This is how I make my livin’. Some people want safe rooms in their homes or underground protection from severe weather such as tornadoes.”
“Mr. Peters…”
“Conrad is just fine.”
“Conrad, thank you for driving all this way. I will have my camera ready for the next time my door misbehaves.”
“Here… let me give you my card.” He reached into his clipboard and handed Ava his business card. “I have my email listed on there. Just send the video to that address.”
“Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you.” The group climbed the stairs, parting ways outside the barn. “He’s a nice old man,” said Ava as he drove away.
“Too bad our fact-finding mission was a bust. We didn’t learn a single thing,” said Tess.
“We learned plenty. One, Brandon inquired about the ventilation. That means he had immediate plans to use it. Two, he told Daryl the salesman, he wanted to use the space for a few weeks to get a feel for it. Again, that goes back to premeditation.”
“Scott would say it’s circumstantial.”
“Evidence is evidence whether it’s concrete or circumstantial.”
Tess snatched the business card from Ava’s hand. “I’ll pass this along to Scott to follow up.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
The following evening Ava received an unexpected call from Scott asking her to come to the police station right away. Without haste, she jumped into her car. The entire drive she was a nervous wreck and when she arrived at the police department, it was no different.
“Thanks for coming in,” said Scott,when she entered the station.
“You were intentionally vague over the phone. Why did you need to see me?”
“The Chief is requesting to speak to you.”
She questioned him with her eyes. “The Chief of Police? Why?”
Scott pulled her aside. “I spoke with Justin last night, and his statement was quite compelling.”
“So, you believe him?”
“I do. But his statement alone is not enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come.” He gestured with his hands. “Follow me into the Chief’s office.”
“Wait!” She grabbed the sleeve of his shirt. “Isn’t Brandon here? What if he sees us?”
“Don’t worry the Chief has him out following up on leads to a case.”
She followed Scott through the station to an office on the far side of the building. He knocked twice and waited for the acknowledgment to enter. “Chief, this is Ava Sinclair.”
A burly, middle-aged man stood to his feet. He wore blue slacks held up by gray suspenders. “Thanks for coming in, Miss Sinclair. I’m Chief Richards.” He extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you.” She shook his thick, muscular hands.
“Please sit.”
She sat facing both Chief Richards and Scott. “I’m sure Officer Davenport explained why it was urgent we spoke.”
Ava eyed Scott, who interjected. “I explained that I’ve spoken with Mr. Harrington and his statement alone is not enough to clear him.”
“I don’t understand. If you believe Brandon held Justin against his will and killed Phillip Ramsey. Why can’t you arrest him?”
Chief Richards cleared his throat before leaning forward across his desk. “We traced the origin of the murder weapon. It’s an unlogged gun confiscated from a drug bust last month. We believe Porter took possession of the gun before someone could log it into evidence.”
Ava narrowed her eyes at Chief Richards. “You know Brandon is guilty, but you won’t arrest him. Why?”
“We can’t ignore Justin’s prints on the gun,” said Scott. “Mr. Ramsey was murdered on Justin’s property, and the time of death falls within the time he left the crime scene and arrived home.”
Ava fell back onto the chair with her arms crossed. She lowered her head with her lips pressed tightly together. Scott had wasted her time. He could’ve given her the bad news over the phone.
“Miss Sinclair, we take no pleasure in investigating one of our own. When Officer Davenport first approach me with the possibility a decorated officer of the law framed Mr. Harrington— it was hard to swallow.”
The Chief held his head low for a moment, with Scott looking on with a grim expression on his face. “Ava, what we need is a confession,” said Scott.
“A confession?”
“Yes,” began Chief Richards. “In order for the DA to consider filing charges, we need a confession.”
“And that’s where you come in,” chimed Scott.
She eyed them both, not sure of what they were asking of her. “What are you asking me to do?”
Scott and the Chief eyed each other. “We would like for you to record Brandon confessing to what he’s done,” said Scott.
“You mean wear a wire?”
The chief’s mouth formed a faint smile. “You won’t actually wear a wire. That’s a dramatic plot point used on television. All the equipment is wireless, and we can listen in remotely.”
“But we’ll be close by,” Scott quickly added.
Ava shifted in her chair. She couldn’t believe what they were asking her to do. “I don’t know. I mean… how am I supposed to broach the topic. How do you casually ask someone if they committed a murder?”
“Chief, do you mind if I speak with Ava alone?”
“Not a problem.” He pushed his chair away from his desk and gave her a stern look. “Miss Sinclair, I expect your cooperation.”
Once the Chief exited his office, Scott moved into the chair beside Ava. “Listen, I know you’re scared.”
“It’s apprehension more than anything. You guys are basically stating I’m Justin’s only
chance at freedom. If I fail, you’ll arrest him for murder.”
“Everything we have is circumstantial, and the Chief won’t allow Brandon to be taken into custody unless we have airtight evidence, and that’s a confession. You must do this.”
“How Scott?”
“I’m his best friend, but you are much closer to him. He trusts you enough to open up.”
Ava exhaled sharply. “Fine, I’ll do it. But it has to be tonight.”
Chapter Thirty-eight
Her hands trembled as they rested on the steering wheel. How would she pull this off? Scott and Chief Richards were confident in her ability to get Brandon to confess. She wasn’t so sure. Ava sat at the stoplight, only two streets away from her home. She turned her gaze upward into the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Scott and Trevor following behind her. They promised they would remain out of sight, but close enough to arrest Brandon once he confessed.
Ava parked her car in the driveway and instinctively touched the ornate brooch attached to her blouse. Scott ensured her it would be impossible for Brandon to detect the pin-sized camera hidden in the center stone. It’s voice-activated and they can view and hear the entire exchange on their laptop. By the time she had left the police station, they reassured her she would be safe the entire time. That’s great, but she still didn’t know what words she’ll utter to coax a confession from him. Either way, after tonight they will arrest Brandon and Justin will be free.
She took several deep breaths before exiting the car. Her eyes wandered up and down the street that was illuminated by black pole lights near every third home. There was no sight of the unmarked car Scott and Trevor rode in. She shot him a quick text asking for his location. Scott responded they were near the entrance of the subdivision to watch for Brandon’s arrival. He stated not to worry about them being seen because their location was inconspicuous from the main road.
When Ava opened the front door, the darkness of the room threw her. She distinctly recalled leaving the kitchen light on before she’d left. It’s something she does when she knows she’ll return late. She closed the door and entered the living room. Her eyes widened as she stared at the dark figure on the sofa.
Betrayed by You Page 21
