Dead Center

by Susan Sleeman

“He knew where we’d moved and made sure I knew it. He texted pictures of you going about life here. I don’t know how he got them, but they were a warning to remind me that he could still get to you.”

  “That’s horrible,” Malone said, and Ainslie had forgotten she was even with them.

  Ainslie had so many questions and didn’t know where to start. “When did Wade arrive in Portland?”

  “Not long before he was shot.” Which likely explained Ethan’s recent bout with alcohol abuse. “Some detective named Paulson reopened Neil’s investigation. Wade thought I would hear about it and talk. So he showed up here to keep tabs on me and prove he was close enough to kill you.”

  Ainslie was happy to finally put the picture together and understand her brother’s behavior, but man, she was so sad for him having lived with this secret for so many years. And because of the Orr family’s suffering, he’d still have to carry the burden of what he’d done for the rest of his life.

  “Do you know where Neil was buried?” Malone asked.

  Ethan cringed and nodded. “I went back the next day hoping it had all been a bad dream. He was gone.”

  “Was there blood? Like Neil had been shot?”

  “I didn’t see any but I did find the grave hidden in the woods. Knew it was all too real.”

  “We’ll need to find the body,” Malone stated. “And you’ll need to confess to the police.”

  He nodded. “I’m going to do time for coming forward with this, right?”

  Malone didn’t answer right away. “There are extenuating circumstances and statute of limitations, so let’s not worry about that until later.”

  Ethan gave a pitiful nod. “I’d do whatever I have to do to get this off my chest.”

  Malone let out a long breath. “You do realize this gives you a strong motive to kill Wade.”

  “I know, but I didn’t do it. Still, if I end up locked up for it, it’s what I deserve after not reporting Neil’s murder.”

  “That’s not true.” Ainslie’s heart ached over how defeated he sounded. “And I don’t want to hear you say that again. You don’t deserve to be locked up for a murder you didn’t commit.”

  His narrowed eyes reflected his skepticism.

  “Is there anything else you need to tell us about the night Wade was shot?” Malone asked.

  He shook his head. “Everything I said is true. I don’t know why Wade was waiting for me. He probably just wanted to warn me off again.”

  “You have two calls on your phone log to him that day. What did he say to you?”

  Ethan’s eyes widened. “I do? Don’t even remember talking to him. Must’ve been half in the bag by then.”

  “Are you sure?” Ainslie asked.

  “Look.” He met her gaze and held it. “I get by telling you about Neil that you’re probably doubting everything I’ve ever said, but it’s the truth. I don’t remember talking to him.”

  “Did he ever send you texts or email warnings?” Malone asked.

  “No. Just Ainslie’s picture. No message with it. He’s too smart for that.”

  “And you’re sure you don’t know any of the details of his illegal weapons sales?” Ainslie asked.

  “It’s like I said before. I knew he was into something at first, but not what until I looked him up.”

  Ainslie leaned closer to Ethan. “We have him under surveillance by a professional team.”

  Malone swung her gaze to Ainslie. “News to me.”

  “Sorry. I should have mentioned that.”

  “Who are you using?”

  “Blackwell Tactical out of Cold Harbor.”

  “I’ve heard good things about them. Keep me in the loop.”

  “Of course. Is there something else we need to do here, or should we get moving on finding Neil’s body?”

  “I guess I need to point out the elephant in the room.” Malone turned her attention back to Ethan. “Even if we find physical evidence pointing to Wade as Neil’s killer, Wade can always say you killed Neil and planted the evidence.”

  “But I didn’t!” Ethan shouted.

  “Settle down.” The guard eyed Ethan. “Or this visit is over.”

  Ethan gave him a sheepish look then stared at Malone. “I didn’t even think of that.”

  She folded her hands on the table. “Are you willing to take the risk?”

  Ethan slumped in his chair and closed his eyes.

  “It’s the right thing to do,” Ainslie said. “God would want you to speak up.”

  Ethan opened his eyes. “You’re right. Neil’s family deserves closure. No matter what happens to me.”

  Ainslie thought to squeeze her brother’s hand, but held back. “I’m proud of you.”

  “How can you be after I hid this for years? I might not have even come forward now if Wade hadn’t been shot.”

  “With the potential consequences, it takes a lot of courage to reveal what you saw.”

  He gave a half-hearted smile. “Let’s just move on and do this.”

  Malone fixed her focus on Ethan. “The first thing I need to do is contact local law enforcement on your behalf and tell them you have a statement of importance concerning an unrelated crime. Do I have your permission to do that?”

  “Yes, please.” He sounded almost eager now.

  Malone stood. “Then I’ll make that call and set up a time for an interview with the detective when I’m available.”

  Ethan frowned. “What about Texas law enforcement?”

  “I’m sure the Portland lieutenant will contact the detective down there, and they’ll probably want to interview you too. Maybe just a video interview, but they might send someone who’s familiar with the original investigation to interview you in person. Or a statement from the Portland detective might be sufficient. That said, all of this could change depending on whether we can prove Wade killed Neil or not.”

  “I don’t care what happens to me now,” Ethan said. “Just get the ball rolling so Neil’s parents won’t have to wonder another day what happened to their boy.”

  12

  Grady was losing patience in the detention center’s waiting area. What was taking them so long just to introduce Malone to Ethan? They should’ve been out of there in no time.

  He got up to pace and stepped over the checkerboard tile floor and past the long glass wall and video visiting machines mounted on the other wall. He pivoted and returned to the bench seating attached to the wall.

  “Dude,” Drake said on one of Grady’s passes. “Now you’re making me nervous, and there’s nothing to be nervous about.”

  “It shouldn’t take this long.”

  “Agreed, but you’re letting your emotions get to you.”

  Grady stared down on Drake.

  “You’ve got it bad for Ainslie, and I think you’re the only one who can’t see it.”

  Grady started to reply but his phone rang. Seeing Coop’s name, he answered. “You find Wade?”

  “Sort of. Though we don’t have eyes on him yet, we’re pretty sure he’s holed up in a dive week-by-week apartment rental near the airport. We can’t confirm he’s in there without putting him on alert. Figure if he’s not there now he’s coming back, so Jackson’s on the room, and I’m headed back to your place to get some shuteye.”

  “Good work.” Grady hoped this surveillance would produce the lead they needed.

  “You want regular reports?” Coop asked. “Or should I just let you know if something suspicious occurs?”

  “Give me a heads-up when you get eyes on him, but then I only need to hear about suspicious activities. As long as you keep him in sight, that is. He skates, I want to know.”

  “He’s not going to skate.”

  “Be sure to keep Blake in the loop, too.” Grady disconnected the call, but before he could stow his phone, it rang in his hand. He saw the unknown number but quickly answered as it could be related to their investigation. “Grady Houston.”

  “Hi, this is…um…Jayla’s mom.
” The woman sounded nervous. “She said you wanted to talk to me.”

  “I do, Mrs…”

  “Ms. Upson. Not married. But please, it’s just Heidi.”

  He liked her easygoing attitude. Maybe that meant she would be forthcoming. “Thanks for calling me, Heidi. I’m investigating the shooting at Ethan Duncan’s house.”

  “Yeah, the guy who shot someone out front. Terrible thing.”

  “Allegedly shot someone,” Grady clarified. “Were you home that night?”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Sure. But I was in bed. Sound asleep and didn’t hear or see a thing.”

  He was struck by how fast she denied any knowledge of the event before he asked, as if she’d been practicing that line. “You sure? Not even a sound?”

  “Nope. Nada. I work two jobs. When I hit the hay, I zonk out and don’t wake up for anything.”

  “And Jayla? Was she home, too?”

  “Sure. Of course. It was late. She was sleeping, too.”

  Memories of his uncle hit Grady, and he stopped by the window to look over the busy street and clear his head. “I’m sorry for asking this, but if you’re such a sound sleeper, how can you be sure Jayla was in bed, too?”

  “Well, I…I guess I can’t, but she said she was, and my girl doesn’t lie.” Her adamant tone snapped through the phone. “We might live in a dump in a rotten part of town right now, thanks to her deadbeat dad bailing on us, but we have our standards and morals. Lying is something I don’t tolerate.”

  “I can totally respect that,” he said, but he couldn’t quit thinking about when he was a kid. “Is it possible she’s lying to protect herself? I got the feeling when we talked to her that she might know something but was afraid to say anything.”

  The call fell silent for a long uncomfortable moment. “You mean like she saw the shooter, and he might come after her if she told on him?”

  “Exactly. And that would be understandable, right? She’s terrified, and so she clammed up.”

  “Hmm, well, I don’t think so, but I can talk to her about it.”

  “Would you?” he asked, encouraged that she would even consider it. “And then get back to me?”

  “Yeah, sure. I can do that. When I get a chance.”

  No. That wouldn’t do. “Can you try to make it a priority? An innocent man is sitting behind bars, and the real suspect is running free and could strike again.”

  “Fine.” She sighed. “Maybe tonight if she’s up when I get off work.”

  “Thank you,” he said and meant it. “I also wanted to ask about your doorbell. Might it have recorded the shooting?”

  “Recorded it? Gee. I don’t know. I don’t pay attention to that. Jayla’s dad installed it when he lived with us. He had it set up on his phone. As far as I know, we don’t even have access to it. I’d take it down, but I figure it makes people think we can see them and protects Jayla better.”

  Grady stifled his disappointment. “Can you give me your ex’s contact info?”

  “Sure. His name is Stan .” She rattled off a phone number, and Grady committed it to memory.

  Grady really should just leave things at that, but he couldn’t. “Before we hang up, I wanted to mention that it wasn’t safe for Jayla to answer the door when we came by.”

  “Yeah, I already let her have it for that. She said you and the lady looked okay—whatever that means—but I reminded her never to answer the door.” She sighed. “Look. I gotta get back to it before they fire me. I’ll let you know what Jayla says.” She ended the call.

  A hint of hope took hold in Grady’s heart. Sure, he could be all wrong about Jayla—projecting his own past onto this investigation—but, if he was right, they had an eye witness to the shooting, and this girl could provide testimony to free Ethan. Problem was, Grady didn’t know if he had the heart to push the girl. He sure wouldn’t have wanted anyone to grill him back in the day. The doorbell video would be the easier option, and, if in fact the video did exist, an even better option than eye witness testimony.

  He dialed Stan Zimmerman, but the call went straight to voicemail. Grady left a message and strode across the room, willing the door to open. When it finally did, Ainslie came rushing toward him, her gaze troubled.

  Drake shot to his feet, his concerned expression mimicking the feelings swimming in Grady’s gut.

  “Where’s Malone?” Grady asked.

  “Still inside with Ethan. We have to get back to the center immediately.” Ainslie grabbed Grady’s arm and started for the door. “I’ll tell you why once we get in the truck.”

  “Hold up.” Grady planted his feet, bringing her to a stop. “We can’t throw caution to the wind. We still need to be aware of our surroundings.”

  “Right,” she said, but glanced at the door as if she might still bolt.

  Grady looked at Drake. “Would you mind checking the area out front?”

  “Glad to.” Drake turned to leave.

  “Wait.” She stepped in front of him. “Before you go, I need a favor. Wade Eggen has been arrested before, and we need his DNA report.”

  Drake furrowed his forehead. “If they took and processed his sample at arrest, I can get a report. But that’s a big if, and even then, I can’t share it with you.”

  Ainslie frowned. “Can you at least confirm that his DNA is on file so we don’t waste time requesting it if it doesn’t exist?”

  “That I can do.” He gave a tight smile. “I’ll make a call on the way to the center. Should have an answer for you by the time we get there.”

  “Perfect.” She flashed a shining smile. “And thanks.”

  Drake departed through the large glass doors to the two-story lobby. Thankfully, Ainslie remained at Grady’s side.

  “What happened in there?” he asked, not wanting to wait until they were in the truck.

  She stepped closer to him, and when she looked up at him, tears wetted her eyes. Wow. Whatever happened was big. Mega big.

  She moved closer and lowered her voice. “When Ethan was eleven, he witnessed Wade Eggen murder one of their classmates. Ethan didn’t report Wade to the police.”

  No. No way. Ethan was just like him. They’d both held back the truth.

  The blood drained from Grady’s head, and a roaring sound started in his ears. He thought he might lose it but swallowed to remain calm enough to keep watch for Ainslie’s safety.

  “I can’t believe he didn’t report it.” She twisted her hands together, a sour look on her face. “I mean, he had a reason. Wade said he would kill me and Mom if Ethan said anything. And Wade’s kept up the threats over the years. Most recently coming here because a detective in Texas reopened the investigation. But we both know Ethan could’ve found a way to turn Wade in. If Wade had been arrested, then he couldn’t have gotten to Ethan from prison.”

  She let out a long sigh. “He’s probably ruined his life over keeping this secret. It’s eating away at him. Likely the reason for his drug issues.”

  Grady stared out the window. After all, what could he say? He knew exactly how Ethan had ruined his life. The recriminations. The fear of the secret coming to light and the fear of going to prison. The pain of knowing someone would have closure if only he’d said something. How they’d suffered from such a secret. And now—oh, man—he knew how Ainslie would react if he ever shared his past with her. If she couldn’t understand how her brother—someone she’d loved for years—could do such a thing, how would she ever understand Grady’s motives?

  And yet, just standing next to her made him want to call the county sheriff back home and report that his uncle had killed a vagrant in a hit-and-run accident. The investigation had gone cold, and no one had ever been charged. But Grady had seen Uncle Tommy in his body shop trying to cover it up by fixing his vehicle, and Grady knew in his heart that Tommy had hit the vagrant and killed him.

  Drake marched back to the door and waved them on.

  Grady swallowed the need to confess, like he’d done so many times over the years, an
d opened the door. “Keep your eyes open for any threats.”

  Grady forced his mind back to his protection duties, and he didn’t take a deep breath until he was cruising on the highway toward the center and was certain no one other than Drake was tailing them.

  “Malone is working on notifying the detective in Texas,” Ainslie said, oblivious to the sick feeling swimming in Grady’s gut. “Ethan told me where he thought the body was buried, so they should be able to recover the remains. Hopefully, they’ll also locate enough evidence to pin the murder on Wade.”

  Grady hoped so, too, but… “I’m confused as to how you think this might help Ethan. Doesn’t it just give him a motive to want to kill Wade to get him off his back?”

  “Yes, but if we can link Wade to the murder, we could discredit him as a witness at the very least. Then, maybe when he’s arrested, he’ll even admit that Ethan didn’t shoot him.”

  “Which is why you want his DNA. To prove he killed this other kid.”

  “Exactly.”

  Okay, this Grady could help with. “We should have Kelsey and Sierra offer to recover the remains. We stand a better chance of locating evidence that way, and they can bring the bones back to the center for a thorough analysis.”

  She shot him a questioning look. “Do you think the detective will agree to their help?”

  He shrugged. “Is the county you’re from very large?”

  “Covers a lot of land, but population is sparse.”

  “So the sheriff’s department wouldn’t have an anthropologist on staff and would have to find someone,” he said. “Depending on state resources, that could be pricey. With the way law enforcement is strapped for cash, I’d think they’d jump at the chance to have free help from top experts in the country who would fly there at a moment’s notice.”

  She nibbled on her lip. “Kelsey and Sierra would do this?”

  “Of course.”

  “And at a moment’s notice? You’re exaggerating, right? I mean, we don’t have an airplane hiding at the center that I don’t know about.” A wry smile crossed her face.

  “Nick has a friend who owns a small jet. He usually lets us use it.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really?”