“I think it was around two fifteen.” Colleen glanced over at Liam. “When I couldn’t reach my brother, I wasn’t comfortable just assuming Mom was with him, so I checked with the sheriff’s department to see if anyone had found her. And then I went out looking for her myself. I hadn’t been home long when Liam came back from running errands, and we went out together looking for her. When that failed, we called and made a formal missing person’s report.”
“Clearly, the two of you were devoted to your mother,” Sheriff Granger said.
“She meant everything to us.” Liam put his arm around Colleen.
“I’ll speak with the coroner and have him reexamine your mother’s body,” Sheriff Granger said. “I’ll let you know as soon as I know something. In the meantime, let’s see if the search produces any clues.” He stood and shook hands with Liam and Colleen. Mann did the same.
“I’d appreciate it if you would make copies of your receipts from Saturday,” Mann said to Liam. “I’ll have one of my deputies come by and get them—just to help document your whereabouts for the file.”
“Not a problem.” Liam downed the last of his Coke and rose to his feet.
As Sheriff Granger and Chief Deputy Mann left the room, Liam thought back on what he’d told them about running errands the day his mother died. He had deliberately left out details, such as after stopping at the ATM, he took his mother to the river and drowned her. And afterward, when he gassed and washed the car, he disposed of his wet clothes in the dumpster behind the service station. And then when he went to Walmart, he was there only fifteen minutes. He did pick up hunting supplies, but just so he would have a receipt that showed the date and time of purchase. The receipt showed the time he had left Walmart, not the time he had entered. But if the authorities did the math, they would know it took six minutes to get from the ATM to Walmart, and then an additional hour and three minutes until he checked out. The hour and three minutes that no one could dispute made a very believable alibi.
“What are you thinking about?” Colleen said.
The sound of her voice brought Liam back to the present. “Mom. I miss her so much. But I guess in some ways, I’ve missed her for a long time.”
“I feel empty …” Colleen’s voice cracked. “I wasn’t ready to let her go. And certainly not this way.”
Liam pulled his sister into his arms, and she sobbed quietly. Part of him wanted to sob with her. It hurt knowing he was responsible for her pain. He just wanted to move past the deception and get the authorities looking in another direction. Being under the sheriff’s microscope was not unanticipated. But it was nerve racking. For now, he would have to cooperate with the authorities. It would all be over soon. Their mother would be buried with the dignity she deserved. And the inheritance money his mom and dad had hoped to pass on would give him his life back. He had done the right thing.
You don’t really believe that.
Liam slammed the door on his conscience. He wasn’t going to feel guilty about having done what was necessary. He had been gentle with his mother, and ended her life quickly. How could her going to heaven not be better than adding to the number of walking dead at the Alzheimer’s center?
Chapter 8
Later Monday morning, Sheriff Virgil Granger sat at the conference table in his office with Chief Deputy Kevin Mann and Deputies Billy Gene Duncan and Jason Hobbs. He glanced out the tall, narrow window at the huge maples on the courthouse lawn, a few leaves showing a tinge of red and the promise of more to come.
On the sidewalk, people lined up in front of Miguel Perez’s familiar blue-and-yellow rolling cart to buy breakfast tacos.
“Okay,” Virgil said. “Kevin and I read the report you made on the Dixie Berne drowning. We called this meeting because some new information has come to my attention.”
Virgil put his recorder on the table and pushed the button, replaying the interview he’d had the night before with Jesse Cummings regarding the man and elderly woman Jesse had seen in the river. When the recording finished, Virgil turned off the device and moved his gaze from man to man. “Gentlemen, it’s possible that Jesse witnessed the drowning murder of Dixie Berne. The timing fits. The location fits. The activity he saw in the water suggests it.”
“We’re a long way from deciding it was murder,” Kevin said, his arched eyebrows matching his wavy carrot-red hair. “But the Cummings kid’s statement certainly raises more questions.”
Jason folded his muscular arms on the table, his smooth dark skin looking almost bronze under the fluorescent lights. “I’m shocked that the Cummings family’s in the middle of this. Those poor folks have been through the mill.”
“Tell me about it.” Virgil sighed. “After Kevin and I met with the victim’s son and daughter this morning, I spoke with the coroner about doing some further investigating. We know Dixie Berne drowned. That’s not in dispute. The only question is whether it was an accident or murder. I want the coroner to take a second look. A confused elderly woman wandering the streets would’ve made an easy target. Her missing jewelry and the fact that it was impossible for her to get to the river by herself certainly suggests the likelihood of foul play.”
Jason and Billy Gene nodded.
“As you noted in your report,” Virgil said, “the son and daughter are both single working folks, living at the same address with their mother, and seemed to be genuinely devoted to her. They shared the responsibility of caring for her. After her wandering became more frequent, they feared for her safety and put her on a waiting list for admission to the Alzheimer’s hospital. They also shared with Kevin and me that their mother had a trust fund with ample financial means to ensure she got the care she needed. I think we can eliminate them as suspects.”
“Except that, upon their mother’s death, they stood to inherit a nice chunk o’ change,” Kevin added, “about a hundred and seventy-five grand each. Not exactly the lottery, but nothing to sneeze at—especially for a couple working stiffs.”
Virgil pursed his lips. “True. But they came to us, insisting we consider an autopsy. If they were involved in her drowning, I’d think they’d want to avoid an autopsy, if for no other reason than to get this case closed as soon as possible.”
“I agree. But there is one thing gnawing at me.” Kevin laced his fingers together on the table. “It seemed just a little rehearsed that Liam could tell us each place he went on Saturday, from A to Z, without even stopping a second to think about it. I couldn’t tell you every move I made this morning, without thinking about it.”
“He just seemed prepared,” Virgil said. “He had to know we would ask that question. The receipts he provided correspond to the stops he crossed off his to-do list. Nothing about his demeanor or speech made me suspicious.”
“Me either.” Kevin folded his arms across his chest and sat back in his chair. “It just struck me as a little too perfect, that’s all.”
“Billy Gene, you’re awfully quiet,” Virgil said. “Thoughts?”
Billy Gene stroked his dark mustache and seemed lost in thought, the lines in his forehead disappearing when he looked up. “I’m fixin’ to take another gander at the case file. I’d like to listen to the kid’s statement again. Did you tell the victim’s son and daughter that we might have us a witness?”
Virgil shook his head. “No. And I’m not going to put Jesse Cummings’s statement in the file either. If the coroner thinks Dixie Berne was murdered, then Jesse becomes a potential eyewitness, and for his safety, we’ll need to protect his identity. I want this information to remain off the record—just between the four of us and the boy’s family for now. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” both detectives said at the same time.
Virgil put the recorder back in his pocket. “I’ve already contacted Police Chief Mitchell. He’s providing some officers to help us search the west bank of the Sure Foot for a couple hundred yards upstream from wh
ere it branches off into Rocky Creek. Kevin will oversee the search and divide everyone into teams.”
“Which is another reason for this meeting,” Kevin said. “I’m assigning just the two of you to search the area where Jesse saw our male person of interest get out of the water. Look for footprints, tire marks, discarded trash, bottles, cans—anything that could help us determine who was out there. You’re the best we’ve got. I’m counting on you.”
“If there’s evidence out there, we’ll find it,” Jason said.
Billy Gene flashed a toothy grin. “Guaranteed.”
“All right, then.” Virgil laid his palms flat on the table and stood. “Let’s get to work.”
t
Kate stood at the kitchen stove, aware that the front door had opened and closed.
“Dad?”
She smiled when she felt a silent presence behind her. A second later, a pair of arms slid around her waist, a smooth cheek next to hers, the scent of Calvin Klein Obsession filling her senses.
“No fair,” Kate said. “You wore that cologne to distract me.”
Elliot tightened his embrace and whispered in her ear. “Is it working?”
“Almost—if I wasn’t in the middle of frying apples to go with tonight’s pork chops.”
He kissed her cheek. “Then I’ll extend an invitation for later.”
“What invitation?”
“I thought we could walk down to the gazebo after dinner and smooch.”
Kate laughed. “Do you realize how corny that sounds?”
“I wasn’t planning to let anyone else in on it.” Elliot’s tone was playful.
“I always feel a bit like a teenager sneaking out to be alone with her boyfriend.”
“We’re fifty years old, Kate. We don’t have to ask permission to steal a few moments for ourselves.” Elliot turned her around and looked into her eyes. “Nothing wrong with two people in love kissing and holding each other. And it’s not like we have much privacy here.”
“I know.” Kate met his waiting lips and let the tenderness of her response register her agreement. “Well, the answer’s yes if you’re okay with us not staying long. I’ll need to get back and listen to Riley read a chapter. I’m amazed that her reading and comprehension are a grade level ahead. It never occurred to me that her voracious book reading would also teach her grammar. I’m surprised at how seldom I have to correct her now.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Kate stroked Elliot’s cheek, then turned back around and continued stirring the simmering apples. “I’ve been distracted all morning, thinking about Virgil’s investigation. I dread the idea that Jesse may have witnessed a murder. He’s had enough exposure to death and heartache. It’s time for him to just be a kid.”
“Maybe it will turn out to be an open-and-shut case,” Elliot said, “and Virgil won’t even need Jesse’s testimony.”
Kate nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping. He was smiling when he left for school and seems to be handling it well—even thinks it’s cool to be a witness. Can’t say that I share his perspective. It scares me.”
“I know.” Elliot’s warm hands massaged her shoulders.
He was the only man besides Micah whose touch had ever made her skin tingle and her heart flutter. It was exhilarating being cherished again, the sole recipient of a good man’s love and commitment—and his passion. So why did she seem to shut down anytime he wanted to talk about the future?
Elliot gave her shoulders a squeeze and then walked around the kitchen island where he could see her face. “One of the reasons I came by was to tell you I’ll be in a board meeting all afternoon but will be here in plenty of time to help Riley set the table and go over her spelling words.”
“Thanks. She has a test tomorrow.”
“I honestly don’t know how you do it, Kate. You’ve got two full-time jobs, and you’re pretty incredible at both.”
“That means a lot coming from you.” She wasn’t letting him lure her into another discussion about hiring someone to manage Angel View. “Hope your meeting goes well. I’ll see you when I see you.”
“Okay. Need me to pick up anything while I’m out?”
“No, I think we’re set. But thanks.”
“I look forward to our short-but-sweet gazebo date this evening.”
Kate laughed without intending to. “Me too.”
Kate sat on the living-room couch, nestled next to Riley. Riley munched on an oatmeal-raisin cookie while Kate reviewed the math papers her daughter had brought home from school.
“I got all my problems right,” Riley said, “so Mrs. Lyons stamped ‘Superb’ on my chart again today. I’ve gotten all Superbs so far, except for one Good Effort because I got mixed up and missed two. I knew how. I just went too fast.”
“You probably won’t make that mistake again,” Kate said. “But there’s nothing wrong with Good Effort.”
“Well, I want all Superbs.” Riley looked up, her smile almost perfect, replacing the endearing jack-o’-lantern grin that had marked those first precious months after her return.
“Sweetie, I’m proud of how hard you’ve worked.” Kate brushed cookie crumbs off the front of Riley’s shirt. “You don’t have to get Superb on every paper to make me happy.”
“I know.” Riley shrugged. “I just want to.”
The front door opened and Jesse charged through it, dumped his backpack in the chair, then looked at Kate. “Can I talk to you about something—in private?”
“Sure,” Kate said. “Riley, why don’t you go find Halo and give her two of the hairball treats the vet gave us, and then brush her.”
“Okay.” Riley jumped to her feet. “Here, kitty, kitty! Halo …”
Riley hurried into the kitchen, and Jesse sat in a living-room chair, facing his mother.
“You’ll never guess who the lady was who drowned,” Jesse said. “Miss Berne’s mother!”
Kate stared at her son and let her mind catch up with his words. “Goodness. When I heard the victim’s name on the news, I never connected it to Colleen Berne. Was she in class today?”
Jesse shook his head. “No. The principal told us and introduced us to our sub, Miss Northup. Mama, it was so weird not telling anyone I saw the whole thing.”
“If I remember correctly,” Kate said, “you were busy catching fish and saw a man and a white-haired woman in the water.”
Jesse grinned sheepishly. “Well, maybe I didn’t exactly see the whole thing, but I’m the only witness.”
Unfortunately. “I trust you kept your promise not to tell anyone?”
“I didn’t say a word. But it’s going to get really nuts when Miss Berne comes back to school and I have to pretend I don’t know anything. Creeps me out to think that her mother might’ve been killed while I was having fun catching crappie. If I’d realized what was happening, I could’ve yelled at the guy. Maybe he would’ve left and Miss Berne’s mother would still be alive.”
Kate shook her head. “None of this is your fault, Jesse. But we can’t know for sure whether her mother was murdered until Virgil gets the coroner’s findings.”
“It’s still hard not telling my friends.”
“You can’t. Virgil made that clear. And why.”
“I know. Don’t worry, Mama. I didn’t even tell Dawson.”
“I appreciated that you didn’t say anything in front of Riley either, since we agreed not to tell her.”
“I won’t slip.” Jesse stared at Kate, a twinkle in his eye. “So … is Elliot coming for dinner?”
“What do you think?”
Jesse flashed a wide grin that reminded her she needed to make an appointment with the orthodontist. “Just checking. I’m starved. Are there any cookies left?”
“I made a fresh batch of oatmeal raisin.”
Jesse popped up out of th
e chair. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Don’t spoil your appetite,” Kate said out of habit, unable to recall a single instance when she had to prod her number-two son to eat.
She glanced up at the fireplace where she’d hung the family oil portrait that Abby’s boyfriend, Jay Rogers, had painted after Riley was found and came home again. Micah was conspicuously missing. Even after seven years, it still seemed strange to see her family pictured without him. Her gaze moved from child to child and stopped on Jesse, who had shot up six inches since the portrait was done. It was hard to believe he was already twelve and growing into a responsible, caring human being, despite the obstacles he’d faced—or perhaps because of them. He had finally begun to smile and laugh again after being saddled with the family’s grief and depression during those years after Micah and Riley disappeared. She did not want what was left of Jesse’s childhood tainted by months or years of being the sole witness in a murder case. He did not need to be burdened with so dark a responsibility.
A chill crawled up Kate’s spine. If Dixie Berne was murdered, the killer was still out there, and Jesse was the only person who saw him. She immediately dismissed the thought that had haunted her all day. Before she started to worry, she should at least wait to hear Virgil’s findings.
Chapter 9
Liam waved as Colleen drove away from Praise Chapel, where they had arranged for his mother’s memorial service to be held as soon as the coroner released her body. He opened the arched wood door and walked softly across the glossy marble foyer, then entered the sanctuary with its rows of polished oak pews—all empty. Like his heart.
He slipped into the back row and sat, studying the familiar stained-glass windows that adorned the old stone structure that had belonged to First Methodist Church when he was growing up. Most of his Sundays had started here. Though his dad had shown zero interest in spiritual things, his mom had insisted that Liam and Colleen go to Sunday school and church, and did so herself.
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