"Tray, do you remember anything new about the day that Irving was killed?"
"No. It's just like I told you all before. I've thought about it so much over the last couple of years. It made me angry that no one believed me. I realize now that if I’d said I killed him, I probably wouldn't have been convicted. Everyone was trying to tell me that I’d get off on self-defense, but I didn't kill him and I just wanted everyone to know that. And since I hadn't done anything wrong, I really thought I would go free."
"Sometimes the system just doesn't work."
"Then I hear all these other inmates saying how they got a raw deal, claiming they didn't do anything wrong, and I don't believe them. Why should anyone believe me? Then there's the other cocky kids who brag about their crimes to intimidate others."
"If it's any consolation, Sabre never stopped believing in you. To be truthful, I'd like to believe you, but I'm a little more skeptical. For your sake, I'd really like to prove that someone else killed Irving." JP paused. "Let's start with your telling me everything you know about Wilson Group Home. Do you remember Jesse Alder?"
"Sort of. I don't remember anything special about him."
"What about Callum Bridges?"
His mouth turned up slightly on one side in a quick half-smile. "Hagrid?"
"Yeah."
"He's a good guy. I always felt safe around him. I guess it was because he was so big. No one can hurt you when you have the jolly giant by your side." His face twisted slightly in anguish. "You don't think Hagrid killed them, do you?"
"He's pretty low on the list, but we have to check everyone."
"He was always so nice. There were many times I wished Hagrid was by my side when I was at DJJ. That place was horrible."
"How are things here?"
"Better. It's still a prison, but the guys are better here because most of them don't want to get sent somewhere else."
"Do you remember Cheryl Scobba? She worked in the office."
"She was a little scary."
"In what way?"
"She was loud and pretty much said whatever she wanted. The other kids claimed she had guns and you'd better do what she said. Hagrid said she was nice once you got to know her, but I guess I wasn't there long enough to know her that well."
"Do you remember a boy at the group home named Jacob Lowe? He's been at Wilson longer than anyone else."
"I kinda remember him. He always wanted to hang out with me and Mario,” Tray said, and then paused. “But he was trouble."
"How do you mean?"
"He got into fights, talked back to the adults, and called kids names. I didn't really hang with him, so that's about all I can tell you."
"You mentioned Mario. I take it you remember him."
"He was my best friend. He made it a lot easier to be there."
“What about Isaac, the cook?”
He thought for a moment. “I remember the guy who ran the dining hall. I’m not sure if his name was Isaac. He was kinda grumpy.”
"Did you know Antonio, the groundskeeper?"
Tray smiled. "He was cool. He always knew what we were up to, but he never told the others."
"You mean like when you and Mario built the fort?"
"I guess you know about that."
"Yeah, I even went inside it. You two did a good job. It's still standing."
"It wouldn't be if Antonio hadn't added a few extra two-by-fours. He never said anything to us, but we saw him carrying the wood in that direction. The next day we saw the braces he had added. Mario and I both felt bad about taking his wood to build the fort, but we didn't have any other way to get it and we didn't think he'd miss a few boards."
"Did you know that instead of saying anything, he just paid for those supplies out of his own pocket?"
"No, I didn't, but that sounds like Antonio. Now I feel even worse about taking them." He looked pensive. "Maybe I'll be able to pay him back someday."
"There wasn't much in the fort—just a couple of old blankets, a deck of cards, a notebook, and some pretty beat-up Playboy magazines."
Tray chuckled. "I can't believe those magazines are still there. Mario stole them from another kid and hid them in the fort so the kid wouldn't get caught with them and get into trouble. The other kid never knew who took them. They sure gave us hours of entertainment. Mario even read some of the articles. I just looked at the pictures."
"I'm glad you're doing better here than you did at DJJ. I know that was a horrible experience for you."
"I thought I was going to die, but I'm still here and a little stronger than I was before. I'm about to get my high school diploma."
"Sabre will be glad to hear that."
Tray gave JP an imploring look. "Do you think there's a chance you'll find who did this?"
"We're going to do everything we possibly can."
"If I ever get out of here, I want to be a firefighter. When I was at Wilson, Mario and I played war games, using sticks for guns. His dream was to join the service. We always said we would join together, but that's not going to happen."
"Mario's finally going to be able to do that. He turns eighteen soon and he's already set to join."
"I know. He told me to join when I get out, that he would still be there because he was making a career out of it."
JP tried not to show his surprise. "Have you had contact with Mario?"
"He writes to me sometimes. He sent me a letter not too long ago and told me he was joining the Marine Corps."
Chapter 56
Sabre sat at her desk in her office, preparing for the next morning's court cases. She was just about ready to leave when JP called.
"Where are you?" Sabre asked.
"I'm waiting for my plane. I'll board in about fifteen minutes."
"What time do you get in? I'll pick you up."
"No need. My car is at the airport."
"That's right. I forgot. Why don't you come by on your way home? We can grab a quick bite to eat."
"And miss out on good airplane food?"
"That would be a real loss. Even I cook better than what you get on a plane."
"I'll be there," JP said.
"How's Tray?"
"Happy to be out of San Bernardino. He likes the conservation camp, as much as anyone can like to be imprisoned, I guess. He's hopeful. Even talked about being a firefighter when he gets out."
"That's a good sign. With any luck, we'll get to the bottom of this mystery and get him released before he's too old to enjoy his life. He's already spent too much time there."
"There's something else you should know."
"What's that?" Sabre asked.
"He's had contact with Mario—just letters as far as I know."
"Mario?"
"Yes, he received a letter from him about a week ago."
"So after Oscar and Barlowe were arrested?"
"Yes, but Tray seemed genuinely surprised by the information about the bodies being found. When I told him, his reaction was that maybe we’d find the real killer. He still maintains that he knows nothing about it. I didn't give him too much information, but I assured him that we were investigating."
"Did Mario say anything when you talked to him about having contact with Tray?"
"No, but in all fairness I never came right out and asked him."
"How much contact have they had?"
"I don't know. Once Tray realized that we didn't know anything about it, he kind of clammed up. I got the impression that he was afraid he might say the wrong thing."
"Like maybe implicate Mario?"
"Maybe."
"I'm about done here at the office. I'll run by Wilson and see Mario."
"Why don't you wait until I get there?"
"I'll be fine. I'm going to see him. What could go wrong?"
***
Twilight was setting in as Sabre arrived at Wilson Group Home. She saw Cheryl walking to her car as Sabre got out of hers. They passed in the parking lot and greeted one another. Sabre wonder
ed if she was the killer. She saw Antonio in the distance putting away tools in the shed. She wondered the same thing about him.
Jesse's kind face and friendly smile greeted Sabre when she went inside. "Hello, Ms. Brown, I thought you might be stopping by."
"I hope it's okay. I would actually like to talk to Mario if I could."
"He's in the dining hall, but they should be about done. Let's go see."
Jesse Alder had been totally cooperative, which took away some of the suspicion from him. Or did it? Maybe that was part of his game.
Isaac was barking orders about cleanup when they entered the dining room. He always seems so angry, she thought, which made him a more likely candidate.
Mario picked up his tray and walked toward the trashcan by the kitchen. He scraped the leftovers off his plate and into the trash, placed his dishes and silverware in the appropriate bins, and stacked his tray. As he walked back toward the door where Sabre was standing, he patted a younger boy with a sad face on the shoulder and smiled at him.
"Ms. Brown would like to talk to you, if you don't mind,” Jesse said to Mario. “She's investigating the murders that Oscar and Barlowe have been accused of and would like your cooperation. Just so you know, you're not obligated to talk to her and you don't need to give us any reason if you choose not to. What would you like to do?"
"I'd like to help if I can."
Jesse said to Sabre, "You know where the interview room is. Please let me know when you're ready to leave."
Sabre chatted with Mario about his plans to join the military as they walked. Once inside the room, they sat on the sofa.
"Mario, have you had any contact with Tray Copley since he left here?"
He looked puzzled for a second. "Yes, why?"
"I didn't realize you two had remained friends."
"Yes, we were pretty tight when he was here, even though it was for only a few months. He used to call me when he was in the foster home, but we started writing letters when he was sent to prison. I feel bad for him, especially now that I'm joining the service. We had planned to go together."
Sabre must not have hidden her concern because Mario said, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, not at all. There's nothing wrong with keeping in touch with a friend. I just didn't know how close you were. Did Tray ever tell you anything about Glen Irving?"
"He never told me what happened exactly. He didn’t have to. All of us here know what happens. Most of us don't feel the need to explain. When new kids come, they're either sad or angry at the chomo. We try to cut them some slack. For most of us it gets better with time and therapy. Some like Jacob and Oscar stay angry. I guess that's how they cope."
Sabre was impressed with this young man's insight and empathy. "You used the term chomo. Is that how Tray referred to Irving?"
"No, he called him a goof, but I think he learned that from Cheryl. She says it all the time."
"What term do the other kids here use?"
"Most of the others call them chomos, but sometimes you hear the word goof. Like I said, I think that's because Cheryl uses it."
"What do the other adults here call them?"
Mario thought for a second. "I don't recall any of the others calling them anything. They don't really talk about the molesters. Except for the therapists.— They usually say 'abuser' or ‘perpetrator,' or they call them by name."
Sabre thanked him for talking to her and congratulated him on his new adventure. They both stood and walked toward the door.
"By the way," Sabre said. "How did you know where Tray was located?"
"Dr. Deb gave me the address."
Chapter 57
JP and Sabre swapped stories about their day as they sat entwined on the sofa. He was tired from his trip and she was glad to have him home. He had only been gone overnight, but she always felt safer when he was in town. She always tried to put up a brave front—something she would never admit to him.
"Tray looks good. When he went in there, he was about as big as the little end of nothin'. But he's all grown up, nearly six-foot tall I'd guess, and he's been working out."
"I expect fitness training is part of what they do there at the camp."
"He didn't get as fit as he is in a couple of months. He must’ve started at DJJ, probably to protect himself, but there's always someone bigger and badder in those places."
"I'm sure his size has helped him feel a little more secure."
"He's definitely no longer the runt of the litter."
Sabre didn't respond. They sat in silence for a few minutes until JP said, "Are you okay? You seem a little down."
"Do you know what's really frustrating about this whole thing?"
"Besides not being able to solve this case?"
"That's the thing. Even if we solve this case and we have new evidence, it may not be enough to free Tray."
"I don't understand. If we can prove that he didn't do it, we can't get him out?"
"In California, if you're given a fair trial and are found guilty, it’s not enough to show there is new evidence that defines your innocence. There is a bill before the Assembly right now, SB-1134, which will allow the defense to submit a writ of habeas corpus on the basis of new evidence that is credible and would more likely than not change the verdict in the trial. It has already passed the Senate. Most of the other states already have such a law, but this is one where California is way behind.”
"So what do you have to prove?"
"We have to prove some technical reason why Tray didn't get a fair trial."
"Such as?"
"Such as ineffective counsel."
"But you did all you could do."
"If Firmstone hadn’t been on the case with me, it might fly because of my lack of experience. I don't care about how it looks on me; we’ll do whatever it takes. We have to get him out of there." Sabre reached for her notepad on the coffee table and started making notes. "I need you to research Judge Palatini. I've heard some rumors, but I don't know how much is based in fact. Maybe we could show bias or something. I'm not even sure we could do anything with the information, but check his record for 707 hearings and see how many children he sent to adult court. There have been a lot of complaints about that from other delinquency attorneys. And while you’re at it, see if you can find anything personal on him that might lead to something we can use somehow. I don't know what it might be, so find anything you can."
"You got it. Anything else?"
"See if you can find anything on DDA Marge Benson. I don't know what that might be either, but we need something to get a new trial for Tray."
"I'm just a dumb cowboy, but I don’t understand. It's difficult to believe that Tray may have to remain incarcerated even if he's actually innocent. There is something wrong with a system where proof of innocence isn't enough to get you out of prison."
"It might help if we can prove that someone else killed Irving, but even that isn't always enough." Sabre leaned back in JP's arms again. "You know, if Tray did block everything out, I wonder if it would've helped him remember if we had had him hypnotized. Maybe he could have recovered his memories."
"You have to stop second-guessing yourself. You did all you could back then. Besides, hypnotism isn't all that reliable."
"That's what Dr. Bell said when I suggested we have Oscar hypnotized. He didn't trust anyone else doing it, but admitted he was not proficient in it himself. He was afraid it would be detrimental to Oscar's recovery.”
"There you go. He's the man. Now tell me about your visit with Mario."
Sabre informed JP that Mario admitted, without any qualms, to his contact with Tray. "But the curious thing is that he got Tray's address from Dr. Deb."
"That sparks a few questions."
"Yeah, like how would she know where Tray was? Why would she give the address to Mario? And has she had contact with Tray herself?"
"I should have checked the visitors’ log when I was there. I don't know how I missed doing that, except T
ray said he had had no visitors at the camp. We should check the log at DJJ also."
"They wouldn't have given you the information anyway. I'll get that for us." Sabre sat forward out of JP's embrace and looked directly at him.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's just that when I went to Wilson today I saw all the 'suspects' on our list, and I saw them in a very suspicious light. Cheryl was just leaving as I came and I thought, ‘It could be you.’ And sweet Antonio was going into his shed and I thought, ‘Are you the killer?’ Same with Jesse, Isaac, and Mario. I even thought Callum, who walked me to my car because it was almost dark, might be the killer. Then I realized that it couldn't be all of them. We have to figure a way to narrow it down."
"Which we are trying to do," JP said.
"I know." Sabre fanned both hands out in front of her as if she had an Aha! moment. "What if we're wrong about that?"
"You mean, none of them did it? Because we've explored that too."
"No, I mean what if they are all involved? Isn't it odd that every clue and every person leads us back to the group home? That the group home is within six miles of all the bodies? And even though everyone has been cooperative, no one seems to have seen anything or heard anything that might help with the investigation."
JP looked at her with suspicious bewilderment.
"What?" she said.
"It's not like you to have conspiracy theories."
"I know, but think about it. How could there be three murders—"
"Maybe four," JP interjected. "If Carl Murray, Jacob's goof, is the other body."
"Maybe four, involving all those boys, and no one knows anything? How is that possible?"
Chapter 58
JP sat at his desk in front of his computer checking record after record of every person who had a connection to Mary Ellen Wilson Group Home. He ran background checks on every therapist, teacher, and volunteer who would’ve had contact with Tray, Oscar, or Barlowe, some for the second or third time. He even investigated the UPS man who delivered regularly to Wilson.
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