“These bars are so thick and sturdy. I could even climb on them for the picture, and they would hold.”
“I would hope so,” Willow said, standing up and rattling the bars herself. “This is a real jail cell. We wouldn’t want prisoners to be able to escape easily.”
She examined the bars, imaging what materials she should use for her fencing at her dog gym. She wanted something sturdy there too, but she didn’t want it to feel like a prison for the puppies. That was one of the decisions that was put on hold while they were waiting for their funds to become available, but she would like to talk to Griffin about the fencing. While he wasn’t enthusiastic about discussing how she was searching for clues in the case, she was sure he would be willing to talk about the building plans they could put in place as soon as the case was solved.
Wednesday began discussing the different angles they could use for the picture, and Willow joined in by adding that they could use the shadows of the bars to create a feeling of being trapped even more. Willow turned on the flashlight app on her phone to see how lighting could affect the shadows. Willow stood outside the cell to shine the light in while Wednesday posed. Because they were just practicing, Wednesday was making ridiculous faces as she took the selfies. Willow tried not to crack up at Wednesday’s performance.
After finding the spot where the shadows made the bars look doubled, they sat on the cot to finish their coffee before it got completely cold. Willow was smiling. It felt good to do things with her sister like they used to when they were younger. They’d never bonded in a jail cell before, but it still felt comfortable.
“Thanks for your help,” Wednesday said.
“I’m happy to,” Willow said, honestly. “And plus, you’re spying at the station for me to help me make sure that my contractor doesn’t end up in one of these cells.”
They finished the last sips of their coffee and got to their feet.
“I think this was really productive,” Wednesday said. “We know where the lighting will be best. The shadows look really good when I’m kneeling by the door.”
“Just don’t make the same silly faces you were making when you were practicing,” Willow teased.
“I think it gave me a good idea, though. Since I’d be by the door,” Wednesday started. “You know how in old-timey prison movies, they have prisoners grabbing for a key that’s just out of reach?”
“I think so. Like a dog is holding the key?”
Wednesday leaned against the bars and held her hand out.
“What if I’m reaching for the makeup? As if that’s what I really want when I’m in prison.”
They started to leave the cell.
“That sounds like it could be a good visual for the campaign. And if you wanted to use a dog model for the shoot, I know one you could use. Also—”
Willow didn’t get the chance to finish her thoughts on the picture because her sister shushed her and pushed her back into the cell.
“What?”
Wednesday shushed her again and dropped down, so she was hiding behind the cot. Willow reluctantly hid too.
They heard footsteps and bits of conversation as others entered the room and stood in the hallway between the first two cells.
“Why are we hiding?” Willow whispered.
“So we’re not seen,” Wednesday said, sounding nervous.
Willow rolled her eyes. She lifted her head so she could see who had come into the room. She should have known it was her father. She heard his deep voice tell the others that they wouldn’t disturb the training in the conference room in here.
There were two men with him. One was a young detective that Willow knew she had met before, but she couldn’t quite remember his name. It was something like Douglas or Dalton. The other man Willow didn’t recognize at all. He was middle-aged with reddish hair that was just beginning to turn gray. He had a round face that was looking at her father very seriously.
“If we’re hiding from him, I’m guessing you didn’t get permission to use the cells for the shoot,” Willow whispered.
“Well, not exactly,” Wednesday said as quietly as she could.
“I know you’re nervous about telling him about becoming an influencer, but if it involves using the station, you need to tell him.”
Wednesday held a finger up to her lips, letting her eyes do the talking. They were saying she was annoyed with her sister.
Willow didn’t care. She was hiding on the floor of a jail cell because Wednesday wasn’t even trying to discuss her plans with their father.
“I think you need to be upfront with him,” Willow whispered.
“I think you need to be quiet,” Wednesday said, pushing a hand towards her sister’s mouth.
Willow swatted the hand away. Having given her advice even in whisper form, she was content to listen to her sister’s advice and be quiet. However, the real reason she agreed to do so was because she wanted to hear what the detectives were discussing.
“Did you hear something?” Frank asked.
“No,” Douglas/Dalton said. “The cells are all empty today.”
Wednesday glared at her sister in their hiding place. Willow returned the stare. It was her fault that they were crouched there. However, hopefully, they would overhear something interesting about the case.
“Very well,” Frank said. “Please, continue.”
“Well,” the detective said, shifting weight back and forth between his feet. “That’s where we stand on Maynard’s alibi.”
“What’s the alibi?” Willow mouthed to her sister. “Did you hear it?”
Wednesday shrugged. They both strained to hear every word of the conversation.
“It’s all tied in with this building deal,” the detective continued. “And I brought Mr. Danielson in here to help explain more about it.”
“Please, call me Thomas,” the round-faced man said.
Willow bit her lip. Even though she knew she had never met the man, there was something familiar about this. Then, something clicked into place, and she remembered the name. When her dad first spoke to Griffin in her yard, Griffin had mentioned that Thomas Danielson wasn’t a huge fan of Lee Hunter’s. It looked as if the police were following up on this lead and questioning the real estate agent.
Willow began to feel more hopeful. It might be a big leap from not liking someone to murder, but it was good that the police were talking to Thomas Danielson. The police had listened to Griffin. Maybe they did believe him after all. If Thomas was going to explain Griffin’s alibi, that would also help him. He would be cleared without having to break his non-disclosure agreement. Griffin might be cleared in the next few minutes. Maybe they could get back on track with her construction.
“What’s the building deal that Griffin Maynard was involved in?” Frank asked Thomas.
Willow crossed her fingers, hoping it would exonerate him quickly.
“Well,” Thomas Danielson began, “you have to understand that there was a lot of secrecy involved in this building deal, but I’m happy to tell the police if it helps with a murder.”
Thomas shook as if the thought disturbed him. Willow was impatient. She wanted him to clear Griffin’s name.
He continued, “It was a blind deal where other investors didn’t know who was involved at first. Griffin Maynard was one of these investors. And Lee Hunter was too.”
“Would that explain why a large sum of money was transferred from Hunter’s account into Maynard’s?” Frank asked.
“It could,” said Thomas.
Willow absorbed this information. That must be why the police considered Griffin a suspect. If money was transferred into his account before Lee Hunter disappeared, that could be why they suspected Griffin’s involvement even before they knew it was a murder case. It would also explain the hold on Griffin’s accounts. They wanted to know everything they could about this money.
“Mr. Maynard was very upset when he learned that Lee Hunter was going to be an investor in the building too.
I believe he said that they couldn’t both be involved in the project. He wouldn’t allow it. But that he didn’t plan on giving up his spot.”
“That sounds like it could be a threat,” Douglas/Dalton said.
Frank nodded, and Willow gulped. This wasn’t sounding as promising as she had hoped.
“He definitely sounded determined when he said that,” Thomas said. “But I don’t blame Mr. Maynard. Lee Hunter was someone you were right to be hesitant to do business with. He killed people with his lack of attention to repairs. And I know Mr. Maynard is conscientious about his repairs. He wouldn’t have stood for Hunter’s behavior.”
“It’s possible that he took action to stop it,” the young detective said. “Killing him to stop the competition and keep the money.”
Frank took a few steps away, absorbing the new information and looking thoughtful. Willow and Wednesday held their breath as he stopped just in front of the cell where they were hiding.
“That’s what I know now,” Thomas said. “I hope it helps.”
“Yes. Thank you,” Frank said. He extended his hand to the other man who shook it and then allowed the young detective to usher him out of the room.
Right before he left, the detective turned to Frank. “Combined with the DNA, it seems like this case is almost closed.”
“Please see Mr. Danielson out,” Frank said, and the young officer hurried off.
Frank stayed behind. He stood with his hands on his belt, seeming to contemplate things. It felt like an eternity, but he finally left the room.
Willow and Wednesday exhaled in relief.
“That was close,” Willow said, leaning against the bars.
“I don’t know what would be worse,” said Wednesday. “Being caught spying on the investigation or explaining my Instagram campaign.”
“The spying didn’t lead to any information we wanted to hear,” Willow said, as she and Wednesday started to leave the cell and head to the door. “I thought when we learned what Griffin’s secret was it would help him, but the police are using it to solidify his motive.”
“Yeah. Detective Denton mentioning the DNA doesn’t sound good.”
“Denton,” Willow said, snapping her fingers. “That’s his name.”
She had been close in remembering his name. She frowned as she considered it. Close wasn’t good enough. They had been close to clearing Griffin’s name, but it hadn’t panned out.
She needed to do something to change this, and she needed to move fast.
13
Willow returned to her house. She didn’t hear any sounds of construction as she walked up the steps to her porch, but Griffin’s car was still in her driveway.
She opened her door. She was surprised by what she saw but pleased too.
Griffin wasn’t working on the house. He was rubbing a happy Telescope’s belly and teasingly telling him that he was a pretty good dog for a runt.
They both looked up as Willow approached. Telescope left one human for the other, and Willow scratched his ears to show how happy she was to see him.
Griffin’s face turned red, and he quickly got to his feet. He picked up a wooden ruler from the ground and held onto it as he began rambling.
“I did get some work done around the house, trying to make up for lost time. And I feel like I made some progress. But I guess I was still feeling a little frustrated about the whole situation, and I guess your dog is pretty smart. He must have sensed this and tried to cheer me up. He grabbed this ruler and wanted me to use it like a stick, so we played a little fetch, and then I was congratulating him on a good job. And this hadn’t been going on very long,” he said, sputtering out an explanation and running his fingers through his hair.
“Is this what I’m paying you for?” Willow teased.
She smiled wide so he would know that she was joking. He tapped the ruler against his palm, looking unsure but then smiled back.
“Well, you did leave Tele in charge,” he responded.
“True,” she said, taking a step nearer and raising a hand in mock exasperation. “What was I thinking?”
Telescope barked as if this was the smartest move she could have made. Willow and Griffin laughed and then stayed smiling.
“Well,” Griffin said, choosing not to comment on how Telescope could understand them. “That’s probably all the work I’m going to be able to get done today. I think I’ll head out.”
He moved towards his tools.
“Wait,” Willow said, moving closer. “I need to talk to you first.”
Griffin eyed her. “What were you up to while you were gone?”
“Oh. Just hiding from detectives,” Willow said breezily. “But I’m afraid it’s what I overheard that’s the problem.”
“They still think I’m a suspect in the murder?”
“They brought Thomas Danielson in,” Willow began.
“Good,” Griffin said, looking a tad happier. “I think he felt the same towards Lee as me. Was he able to provide any more information that could lead to other suspects?”
Willow shook her head. “He made it seem like you have an even bigger motive for murder.”
Griffin sighed. “This keeps getting worse and worse.”
“Yes, it does,” Willow agreed. “Because a detective also mentioned finding your DNA.”
She didn’t tell him that she didn’t know any of the details about the DNA related to the case. She was hoping that he would tell her about it himself and provide an explanation.
“DNA?” Griffin repeated.
He seemed to deflate and walked over to his toolbox dejectedly. Willow intercepted him.
“Griffin, I’m sorry to be pushy. But you’re going to have to tell me what’s going on.”
“We’ve been through this before.”
“Yes,” Willow said, standing firm and meeting his eyes. “But we need to have different results this time. I need you to have a see-the-light moment and realize that you need to talk me.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Griffin said, looking down.
“Good. Because I trust you. I trust that you’re not a murderer. I’ve been doing everything I can to clear your name, but you haven’t been doing everything you can. I need you to tell me the facts in the case.”
Telescope barked in agreement.
Griffin turned away. Because they were still in her hallway, there wasn’t much space for him to wander unless he wanted to leave entirely.
“I have to insist,” Willow continued. “I’m not going to keep helping if you don’t tell me your involvement in everything. I’ll find another contractor if I need to. I’ll fix the property without you. I’ll take out a loan or something.”
“I doubt you’d be qualified for a loan after losing such a large sum to me,” he said half-heartedly, turning to face her.
He sighed. Defeat was written on his face. Willow was convinced that he didn’t have anything to do with the killing, and she hoped that he was about to open up to her.
“I guess I don’t want to miss rebuilding the dog run and seeing Tele do the new and improved obstacle course,” Griffin said finally.
“Then, you’ll tell me?”
He nodded.
“Come on,” Willow said. She led him to the back porch where they could both sit down. It was quiet and peaceful outside. She hoped this setting would make what he had to say easier.
“I guess I should start at the beginning,” Griffin said.
“That might make things easier,” Willow agreed.
“Early in my career, I worked for Lee Hunter. It was one of my first big jobs.”
“And he was a bad boss?” Willow asked. She helped Telescope onto her chair, so he could find a comfortable position on her lap. It seemed that he wanted to hear the whole story too.
“He wouldn’t pay to make the necessary repairs to the building. He wanted things done cheap instead of done right, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I guess he didn’t expect me to stand by my m
orals, and he fired me. Unfortunately, I signed a non-disclosure agreement for the job. I couldn’t tell people why I was fired. It made me look bad. I looked like an unreliable young rogue. And that hurt my career for a while. It took me a long time to repair my reputation.”
“Wow,” Willow said, petting Telescope. “I can see why you didn’t like him.”
“It wasn’t just that he made things harder for me,” Griffin said, clenching his fists. “It’s that I knew that he would get away with not making the necessary repairs. I vowed to never work with him again.”
“I don’t blame you,” Willow said.
She felt the same way about working with her ex-husband. It was unlikely that an opportunity would ever arise where she would have to work with Benjamin again, but she knew that if it ever did come up, she would run for the hills.
“I was able to build up my reputation again, but it took work,” Griffin continued.
“Your reputation is certainly good now,” Willow said. “People say you’re the best.”
“Thanks,” he said, accepting the compliment with a slight nod. “I didn’t think of Lee Hunter for a while. I still held a grudge, but I didn’t come into contact with him. Until recently, when I learned we both wanted to be investors in a new building.”
Willow nodded, encouraging him to continue. This was what her father, Detective Denton, and Thomas Danielson had been discussing at the station.
“I was going to be a silent investor, and I was excited about it. It seemed like a solid investment, but when I learned that Lee Hunter also wanted to be an investor, I told the board that I wouldn’t stand for it. Lee would have wanted to make subpar repairs to the building. I couldn’t stand for that.”
“Did you threaten him?” Willow asked, trying to sound casual.
“I did tell the board that I wouldn’t be an investor if he was too, but that I didn’t intend to give up my spot,” Griffin said. “I was mad, but I didn’t mean it as a threat exactly.”
“And that’s all there is to it?”
“No,” Griffin said, running a hand through his hair. “Once Lee Hunter was back in my life, he was causing trouble. I think he was trying to ruin my reputation again, so he could be the sole investor in the building. He was spreading rumors, which I know cost me at least one major bid. It would have led to more too.”
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