Derek reached down to help Gene up.
Gene put his right hand up in a dismissive motion. “I’m good.” He sat up, as did JP, but neither stood. The crowd returned to the house. The brothers just stared at each other for several seconds. Finally, Gene said, “I think Soper killed Bullet. I was trying to get Rankin to spill.”
“Sabre is cheating on me.” JP didn’t know why he chose to say that, but it just came out. He did know that the fight with his brother was long overdue.
Chapter 46
Sabre picked up Morgan from school and drove to Bob’s office. Morgan settled into the conference room and started her homework, while Sabre met with Bob and Laura Standish. Bob had gathered five other photos of men who looked similar to Bill and had them all on the screen with an image he’d taken at the coffee shop.
“I want you to look at some photos and see if you recognize any of these men.”
“The cops already showed me hundreds of photos,” Laura said. “I found nothing.”
“Please give this a shot.” Bob turned the computer screen around so it was facing Laura.
Her face lit up. “That’s him—the fourth one.” She pointed at the photo of Sabre’s date. “You found him.”
“We did.”
“Where is he?”
“We don’t know, but we’re reporting the information we have, and I’m sure the cops will contact you real soon.”
~~~
Still lying on the ground, JP asked Gene, “Do you think you can get Rankin to talk?”
Gene shook his head. “I had already given up on him. I was just hangin’ around to finish the poker game. I don’t think Rankin has any real loyalty to Soper, so I’m guessing Soper either didn’t kill Bullet, or if he did, Rankin doesn’t know what happened.”
“Maybe it was Rankin.”
“I don’t think so. He had no real motive.”
“But Soper did?”
“According to Rankin, Soper was in love with Muriel. I knew he cared about her, but I had no idea how much. Soper didn’t like the way Bullet treated her. That last beating may have been the final straw.”
“Does Muriel love Soper?”
“I never saw anything that would confirm that, but what do I know? I didn’t know Soper was obsessed either.”
The stout poker player with the sidearm came outside. “You gonna finish this game, Gene?”
“Let Rankin handle the rest. It’s his stake anyway. I’ve got to take care of some unfinished business.” Gene turned to JP. “Can you give me a lift?”
Derek helped them both to their feet. JP brushed the dirt off his clothes, as he started to walk. He looked at Gene. “If you want to ride in my truck, you need to dust yourself off.”
When Gene saw Soper tied to the truck, he asked, “Do you want me to interrogate him?”
“We’ve already tried,” JP said. “He’s not talkin’. He’s tighter than a tick with lockjaw.”
“What are you gonna do with him?”
“I think we’ll leave him here,” JP said. “He can finish your poker game.”
Derek laughed. “They won’t let him play. They don’t put up with cheaters.”
“Untie him and let him loose. He can be Rankin’s problem.”
When Derek let Soper go, he walked toward the house without saying a word or looking back. The three men got in the truck, and JP drove away.
He didn’t want to go home to Sabre, but he didn’t feel right leaving Morgan there with her either. His niece wasn’t Sabre’s responsibility. That was all on him.
“What now?” Gene asked.
JP glanced at his brother. “You look like hell.”
“You have more blood on you than I do.”
“Yeah, but half of it’s yours.”
“If it’s all right with you, Derek, maybe we can go to your house and clean up.”
“You bet. I might even have a few shirts that’ll fit you shrimps.”
“Good. After that, I think I’ll have another talk with Muriel. See if she knows anything more that might help us nail Soper.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to tag along,” Gene said. “I’d just as soon not see Roxy, but if we’re lucky, she may not be there.”
“What if she’s having one of her sex parties?”
“You up to kickin’ some more ass?”
“If I have to.” The truth was, JP wouldn’t mind at all. He could use another punching bag right now, and the gym was out of the question.
“Muriel may be more forthcoming with me,” Gene said. “We’ve always had a good relationship.”
“You’re more than welcome if you think it’ll help.”
“Bullet didn’t usually mess with Muriel when I was around.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because he was a coward.”
“Anyone who’d beat up a woman is a coward, but why was he afraid of you?”
“I threatened to kick his ass if he didn’t leave her alone.”
“And did you?” JP turned to his brother.
“No, but I would’ve if he hadn’t left that morning.” Gene looked JP straight in the eyes.
“Dammit, you’re lying to me. You’re trying too hard to hold my gaze. Remember, I know that trick.”
“Okay, I knocked him around a little, but I didn’t kill him.”
JP still didn’t trust Gene completely, but he hoped being around him more would convince him one way or the other. If Gene had killed Bullet, maybe he’d finally tip his hand.
Chapter 47
An hour and a few bandages later, JP and Gene arrived at Muriel’s house. Before they went in, JP asked, “Do you think Roxy could’ve killed Bullet?”
“Hell, no,” Gene said.
“You seem pretty certain.”
“Roxy is a lot of things, but she’s no killer.”
“She’s the only one who had real access to the gun. She could’ve put it in Conner’s room.”
“Why would she?” Gene stared at him. “She had no reason to frame Conner.”
“I don’t think she would plant it so they would arrest Conner, but she might’ve thought his room was a good hiding place. Then the cops found it before she could move it.”
“What possible motive could she have for killing Bullet?” Gene asked.
“He was naked and trying to hug Morgan for starters.” JP bristled at the thought.
“Roxy doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with being naked or hugging. I doubt that hugging naked would set her off. Besides, I don’t think she even knew about it.”
“What if she did? And it did set her off?”
“Brother, you’re under the mistaken view that Roxy cares about her daughter. Roxy only cares about Roxy. And you give her too much credit for being able to plan the murder. She would’ve had to actually go somewhere to shoot him. That would take too much effort on her part. Roxy wouldn’t bother, not when she could be partying instead.”
“Why do you stay with her?”
“For my kids.” Gene reached for the door handle.
The contradictions his brother presented baffled JP. Gene couldn’t stay out of prison or stop making bad choices, but it appeared he loved his children. If only he could do what was best for them on a regular basis. But maybe he just couldn’t. Maybe his need for adventure was stronger than his need to be stable. JP saw so much of their father in Gene.
“Besides,” his brother said, “after Conner put a lock on their room, Roxy couldn’t get inside. She didn’t have a key. Conner wouldn’t give her one, because he didn’t trust her not to leave it lying around.”
“Who had keys?”
“As far as I know, just Conner, Morgan, and…” He didn’t finish his thought.
“And you?”
“Yeah, I had one.”
JP took a deep breath. “Gene, did you put the gun in Conner’s closet?”
“No. I did not put the gun in Conner’s room. I did not kill Bullet. I do not know who did. How man
y times do I have to tell you?”
“Until I believe you.”
“When do you suppose that’ll be?”
“When I find out the truth.”
Gene got out of the truck and slammed the door.
“Hey! Don’t take it out on my truck.”
They walked up to the front door in silence. Gene knocked, then he opened it and stepped inside.
“Muriel, it’s me, Gene.”
Muriel nodded at JP but beamed at Gene. She embraced him and said, “Good to see you.”
“You too, Muriel. Is Roxy around?”
“I’m afraid not. She’ll be out for a while.”
“Good,” Gene said. JP was convinced he meant it.
They all stood in the entry, and Muriel made no move to invite them to sit. “How’s Conner’s case coming along?” she finally asked.
“That’s what we’re here to talk about,” JP said.
“I’ve already told you everything I know.”
“Conner’s in big trouble,” Gene said. “The only thing that can save him is if we find out who really killed Bullet. I don’t believe Conner did it, and neither do you.”
“You’re right. I don’t.” Muriel’s shoulders tightened, and her lips trembled slightly. “Did something happen? Are they trying him as an adult?”
“We don’t know yet,” JP said.
Muriel sighed. “I want to help, but I don’t know what else I can tell you.”
JP ignored her comment and asked, “When did Soper leave this house the morning Bullet left?”
“Maybe an hour or so after Bullet. Andy left too.”
“Did Soper know Bullet beat you up that morning?”
“Yes. He came into the kitchen to get coffee and saw me cleaning up the bloody mess.”
“Tell me exactly what happened. How he reacted. What he said and did.”
“He was pretty upset. He pounded his fist into his hand, making a loud popping noise. It startled me. I must’ve cowered, because he apologized and gave me a hug.” She paused as if she had remembered something.
“What is it?”
“He said, ‘That’s the last time.’”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I’m sorry. I had totally forgotten it. I was pretty dazed. Bullet had hit me hard and slammed my head against the cabinet.” Muriel took a breath. “Besides, I don’t think Soper killed him.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I asked him right out.”
“And he said no?”
“That’s right,” Muriel said. “He said he didn’t do it.”
“Why would he admit to killing him?”
“He admitted that he beat Bullet up that morning, but he swore he didn’t shoot him.”
JP turned to Gene. “Did the two of you do that together?”
Gene put his hands up, palms out. “No. Soper wasn’t with me, and Bullet hadn’t been touched when I found him.”
“How much damage did you do?”
“He was bleeding, and his face was cut up pretty good. He must have been swollen and bruised when Soper got to him.”
“Was he still able to walk?”
“I didn’t hurt his legs, just his face and head, and a few punches to the gut.”
JP couldn’t let go of Soper as a suspect. “Maybe when Soper found Bullet and saw he was already beat up, he decided the only way to avenge Muriel was to finish him off.”
“Or maybe he just took the credit to look good for her,” Gene said.
Muriel’s eyes focused on the floor for several seconds.
“Did you know he was in love with you, Muriel?” JP asked.
“I had a hunch, but I never encouraged it. Do you think you can pin it on Soper?”
JP wrinkled his brow and stared at Muriel. “I don’t want to pin it on anyone. I want to find out who actually killed Bullet so Conner can be cleared. I think you’ve been around Gene too long. You sound like him.”
“I’m with her on this one,” Gene said. “They’re pinning it on Conner right now. I’d rather it was someone else, innocent or not.”
“That’s all I meant,” Muriel said.
“Yeah, I got your point,” JP said. “Maybe we can at least cast reasonable doubt. Neither of them can account for their whereabouts, and both have a motive, but the gun was found with Conner’s fingerprints.”
“That damn gun,” Gene said. “I should’ve left it where I dumped it forty years ago.”
“What will happen to Conner if they convict him?” Muriel asked.
“That depends on which court hears the case,” JP said. “We’re still waiting on the 707 ruling from the judge.”
“He’s only fifteen. Surely they’ll try him as a minor.”
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Very few fifteen-year-olds are tried as minors for murder. The odds are against him.”
Muriel’s face turned pale and she looked weak. JP realized she had helped raise the boy, and Conner must be like a son to her. But son or grandson—he was a big part of her life.
Chapter 48
It was nearly seven, and Sabre hadn’t heard from JP. She’d left only one message. She knew he was busy and probably wouldn’t get back to her for a while, but it didn’t keep her from worrying. She had dinner with Morgan, then they watched a movie. When it was over, Sabre said, “It’s bedtime.”
“But Uncle Johnny isn’t home yet.”
“I know you like to tell him goodnight, but I don’t think he’ll be here for a while. Remember, I told you he has to work late sometimes.”
“I know, but when he comes home, tell him I said he was neglecting his parental duties.”
“I’ll do that.”
Sabre sat with Morgan on the bed, and they talked about their days. Then she tucked her in and left the room. She called JP again and left a voicemail: “I just put Morgan to bed. I’ll wait up for a while, but please call when you can, even if it’s late. I know you’re probably somewhere that you can’t call, but I’m a little concerned. I don’t like the riff-raff you’re dealing with, and you seemed preoccupied this afternoon when we talked. Please be careful.”
~~~
JP entered the house as quietly as he could. Louie ran up to him, wagging his tail. JP got down on one knee and rubbed the dog’s face, then scratched his head and neck. “Want out, boy?” he asked softly. Louie wagged his tail faster. JP opened the slider and let him outside, leaving it open so Louie could return when he was done.
Meanwhile, JP got a can of beer out of the refrigerator and popped it open. Then he removed his jeans and slipped on a pair of sweats from the laundry room. Louie ran back inside, and JP closed and locked the door. JP heard something creak. He stood still, hoping it wasn’t Sabre getting up. He wasn’t ready for any kind of confrontation. After a few seconds with no further noise, he sat and gulped down the beer. Leaving the can on the end table, he stretched out on the sofa, pulling the knitted blanket over him. His mother had made the blanket for him many years ago. For a few seconds he felt her love, but it soon turned to loneliness. He wished he could talk to her again. He could use some motherly love right now. Louie jumped up and laid with his head against JP’s feet.
JP tried to sleep, but he kept tossing and turning. Finally, after what seemed like hours of fidgeting, he dozed off.
~~~
He awoke to the light coming in the window and Sabre kissing his cheek.
“Good morning,” Sabre said.
Startled, JP jerked at the sound of her voice.
“What’s the matter?” Sabre asked. Then she saw his bruised face. “What happened to you?”
“I found my brother.”
“And he beat you up?”
“I held my own.”
JP sat up slowly. His body ached. Between the pain in his gut, his throbbing nose, and his anger at Sabre, he could barely move. Sabre touched his shoulder, and JP flinched and pulled away.
“Are you okay?”
; “I’m fine, just sore.”
“Do you think you should go to the doctor?”
“I said I was fine,” he snapped.
Sabre took a step back, looking hurt and worried. “I’ll make some coffee,” she said and left.
JP hobbled to the bathroom, far more sore and stiff than he expected. By the time he took his shower, he had started to limber up. Morgan was still not up when he returned to the living room. Sabre handed him a cup of coffee.
“Thanks,” he said softly. “I have to go out, and I’d rather Morgan didn’t see my face this way. Can you get her to school?”
“Sure. Do you want some breakfast?”
“I’m not hungry.” He gestured with his cup. “This is enough.”
“We had a breakthrough on the Standish case yesterday. If you can sit for a minute, I’d like to tell you what happened.”
“What’s the Standish case?”
“It’s not one you’re working on, but I’d like to tell you about it.”
“I don’t really have time.” JP stepped back and picked up his jacket. “I have to go. You can tell me later.” He walked out the door without kissing her goodbye.
~~~
Sabre stood, dumbfounded and a little angry, but mostly she was concerned for JP. There was obviously something he hadn’t shared with her, and she expected it had to do with his brother. It had taken him a long time to share what had happened to them as children, and now he was clamming up again.
Chapter 49
Sabre walked outside to meet Bob when he arrived at juvenile court.
“You look kind of down this morning,” Bob said. “Is everything okay, Snookums?”
“I don’t know. It’s JP.”
“Did he freak out when you told him about your date?”
“I didn’t have a date, and no, I haven’t told him.”
“Why not?” Bob asked, talking over her.
“Because I’ve hardly seen him. He came in late last night and slept on the sofa. He had been in a fight with his brother, I think. This morning, JP hardly said two words to me, then he cleaned up and left.”
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