by Tyora Moody
Reece shook her head. “Like a new haircut or maybe he changed his hair color?”
Jo thought for a minute. “Or contact lenses. Sarah mentioned the guy had really blue eyes. What do you remember about his eyes?”
“I was far away. I couldn’t tell you his eye color. Just that he was tall, with black hair. His hair was short on the sides and full at top like he used mousse or something to make it stand up.”
Jo pulled out her card. “Okay, Reece. I may have given you my card before, but I really need you to let me know if you remember anything else or if you see the guy again.”
Jo turned to walk away, but Reece called out.
“Wait, I remember something when Sarah and I were talking not too long ago. I asked her how she felt about Laura cheating on Matt. Sarah was really angry. I remember she said one of these days Laura was going to get caught.”
Jo inquired, “Was there something that prompted Sarah to say that?”
“I remember Sarah saying if she was going to cheat, not that she would, but she would at least go someplace where no one would see her having an affair.”
Jo thought about Bryan. His affair happened out of town at a conference in Atlanta. Her older half-brother, Jax, lived in Atlanta. Still, it was a big city.
Reece continued, “Sarah said Laura was seen at Ryder’s. It’s a restaurant not too far from where Matt worked. That’s pretty risky.”
Jo frowned. “Sarah never mentioned that to me. Did she say she saw Laura with a man?”
“No, Sarah didn’t see them, but she had an ex-boyfriend that works at Ryder’s. They’re still friends...or they were. Anyway, he was the one who mentioned seeing Laura with some guy.”
Jo wasn’t sure if this lead would help or not, but knowing someone else saw her person of interest felt like an unopened Christmas gift to her. “Do you have his name? I need to talk to him.”
Chapter 17
Monday, September 7 at 1:20 p.m.
Labor Day
It was Labor Day and normally for the long weekend, Jo spent time with her family. Today, she turned down her parents’ invitation to attend the last barbecue of the season. Bryan took the opportunity to take B.J. out for some fun at Chuck E. Cheese. Normally, this would have been a family outing and B.J. seemed sad when she told him she couldn’t go. She simply didn’t have the energy to be around Bryan.
Jo curled up on the couch wrapped in her pink terry cloth robe alone with her thoughts on her first day off in a while. There was never really a time when she could turn her thoughts off from work. Nothing was happening with either Laura or Sarah’s cases, which made her wandering mind even more frustrated. Every time they had a lead it fizzled or moved forward in slow motion.
She had not been able to make contact with Sarah’s ex-boyfriend, Scott Russo. He was not only out-of-town, but out-of-the country in Italy for several weeks. Jo hoped to touch base with Scott soon, even if it was a long-distance call. She was desperate, but her hope waned that Scott would remember anything. After all, she was depending on Scott’s memory and so far everyone else was not helping.
Sarah’s death bothered Jo. Somehow, she felt responsible. She was sure Sarah went a little further than she should have and made contact with her killer. Why didn’t Sarah come to me?
It also didn’t help Jo to know that in a week she was expected to be ready to testify on the stand for the prosecution. Jo hadn’t seen Jeffrey Maddock in ten months. While she didn’t get a full confession from him, the hours she’d spent interrogating Maddock was enough to solidify that the hunt for a serial killer had ended. She couldn’t help but think about the two recent deaths. They were so different and not very consistent.
The doorbell rang jarring Jo’s thoughts. Jo glanced at the wall clock in the living room. Bryan and B.J. had only been gone a little over an hour. She moved her legs out from under her and went towards the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Asia.”
Jo tilted her head. “Asia? Hold on.” She rarely received a visit from her older sister. Not that they weren’t close, but they both led very busy and separate lives. Jo opened the door to find her sister dressed fashionably even with a t-shirt and jeans. Jo glanced down to see her sister’s feet, usually clad in three-inch heels in a bright blue pair of Sketchers.
“You look like you’re enjoying your Labor Day.”
Asia arched her right eyebrow and moved past Jo into the hallway. “What about you? You have everyone worried. You know Jax made it in from Atlanta. He’s staying with our parents.”
Jo shut the door. “I knew there was some reason you were standing at my door. When are you going to get along with Jax? If Mama can accept him as family, don’t you think you should too? Nothing can change him being our half-brother.”
Asia whipped her neck causing her ponytail to swing around her head. “I know that. I just don’t like him. He may be blood, but he’s also the most arrogant man I know.”
Jo smirked. “Knowing how many lawyers you know and have dated, I would say that’s an exaggeration. Jax isn’t all that bad.”
Asia followed Jo into the living room. Jo flopped back down on the couch while Asia stood.
“You can have a seat, Asia. My living room is not off limits like Mama’s had her living room all our lives.”
“Girl, I know. I didn’t want to barge in on you.” Asia cocked her ear to the door. I don’t hear little B.J.”
“He’s out with his Bryan.”
Asia backed up towards a chair. She sat and looked at Jo. “So, what’s going on with you and Bryan? Is that why you’re here in a funk instead of with your family? Mama’s worried about you.” Asia dug in her pocket. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to give this to you.” She reached over and handed Jo a card.
Somehow Jo knew what it was before she flipped the business card over in her hand.
Sandra Michaels. Divorce lawyer.
Jo flicked the card back towards her sister. “Is this your way of being helpful?”
Asia sighed and bent down to grab the card. “What is wrong with you, Jo? Sandra is the best if you need to have someone who can make sure you get custody of B.J.”
“I don’t want to think about that and for now nothing is going on. We’re just co-existing.”
“Well, that can’t be good for anyone. Now, I’m worried about you. Everybody is worried. You seem more withdrawn.”
“It’s not all Bryan. He’s part of it.” Jo bit her lip. “These new cases too.”
Asia sat back, “Well, I know you ending up with Senator Finney’s daughter’s case was not good for you. What about this other chick that was killed last week? I saw on the news that they knew each other.”
Jo nodded. “They were friends.”
Asia asked, “So, it wasn’t the fiancé?”
Jo crossed her arms. “Matt. He was the ex-fiancé. He had motive for Laura, but no. Sarah, the other girl, was his cousin as well as his alibi. We’re investigating some new leads now.”
“Mmm, these cases do sound complicated, sis. I know you can handle them. I am concerned though. You do know Maddock’s trial starts next week? We’ll probably want to put you on the stand first. Are you going to be able to handle facing him?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? It’s my job and Maddock is going down. I promised those women’s families he wouldn’t ever leave prison. I hope the jury is ready.”
“Girl, the district attorney’s office is not going to have any trouble convincing a jury. We’re hoping his defense team will be bold enough to put Maddock on the stand. He will be ripped apart.”
Jo laughed. “I doubt seriously Maddock’s lawyers are going to let him open his mouth. He’s so smug and the sad thing is, he can’t help himself.”
Asia shook her head. “You’re right about that. I know you’ll do fine, but I’m still worried about you.”
“Why?”
“You’re struggling, sis. I can tell. Everyone can tell. You love Bryan and yo
u’re hurt. If it was me, I would’ve kicked Bryan out and kept it moving.”
“It’s not that simple, Asia.”
“I know, I know. Just don’t sacrifice yourself in order to stay strong for B.J. You’re more like mama. You will suffer, but then again I know you will pray too.”
“Prayer is keeping me sane. This case is driving me crazy and Bryan has indicated he doesn’t like my obsessive behaviors.”
“Girl, don’t tell me he’s trying to use that as some excuse for his affair?”
“He didn’t voice it like that, but he’s unhappy with how much time I spend on cases. I can’t pretend like last year I didn’t pull away from being a real mother to B.J.”
“Oh come on. Jo, you’re the best detective on the force. You’re an awesome mom too. B.J. is proud of you and you are there for him. You’re not like our dad. You remember growing up, how often we didn’t see him, and all the things he missed.”
Jo’s eyes watered and she blinked. “I’ve missed out on things too, Asia.”
Asia got up and sat on the couch. She grabbed Jo’s hands. “It’s not all of the time. You’re conscience of your son’s needs. I’ve seen you. All of us have. You’ve been there for Bryan too. I mean, do I need to remind you of a few things because you know I will.”
Jo snatched her hands away from Asia. “Don’t go there!”
“Oh yes, I will. Now that I know Bryan is putting pressure on you about your work. I mean thank God he finally got a real job and put that entrepreneurship phase to rest. Did he not realize how much stress he was putting you under? He should be supporting you like you supported him.”
“We’ve both been guilty.”
Asia pulled the business card out again. “If you need this, I can still leave it with you.”
Jo looked at the card. “I’m angry with Bryan, but I’m not sure I want to go down that road yet.”
Asia rolled her eyes. “Well, Mama said marriage counseling was supposed to be another option.”
“I have thought about it, but I’m not sure I want to share my private life with someone, which in this case would probably be Pastor Freeman.” She looked at her sister and held out her hand.
Asia placed the business card in Jo’s hand. “You’re a good mother and you’ve been a good wife. Bryan needs to appreciate all that you do and support you. All of your cases don’t pull you away. It’s only a few cases.”
“Maybe a few cases too many for Bryan,” Jo said.
“Mama, look what I got!”
She hadn’t heard the front door open. She turned to see B.J. holding a large bag in his hand. He walked towards her. She looked behind B.J. Bryan stood in the doorway. He stared at her, then at Asia with questions in his eyes.
How long had he’d been standing there?
“Hey, Aunt Asia. I didn’t know you were coming.”
As Asia bent down to hug B.J., Jo looked back at Bryan and watched as he walked away from the living room. Asia was her most difficult sibling. She was not afraid to stir up drama. Bryan knew to stay away from her older sister.
Jo looked down at the card for a moment, and then slipped it into her robe pocket. She didn’t know if she wanted to thank her sister or not, but something jolted inside of her. It was past time to stop stalling and make a decision.
***
September 7 at 10:37 p.m.
Before heading to bed, Jo did something she hadn’t done in a while. She’d been praying, but she hadn’t picked up her Bible, which rested on the nightstand under the iPad. Jo loved reading, especially the Bible, but she had not been on a regular reading plan since the case last year. Normally, she would reach for the Bible app on the iPad, but she wanted to feel the Bible in her hand. It was the same Bible her mother gave her when she’d been promoted to detective. At the time, Jo thought it was an unconventional gift. But then, Jo had seen the worst sides of people and often needed to be reminded that God was sovereign.
After she opened the Bible, she reached for her iPad, pulling up the Bible app since it was great for quick searches. She searched for the word divorce and read through several passages. The verse that seemed to strike her attention was in the book of Matthew, #CHAPTER nineteen, verse three. She especially focused on the passages written in red to signify that Jesus was talking. In this passage, the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
Jo thought to herself, “What about a woman?” Knowing during the Bible times, women were not seen the same as today, she pressed on to read Jesus’ words. “...at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are not longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Jo focused on the passage that said, let no one separate. She thought about her vows almost seven years ago. She thought about life before she’d met Bryan and then their first date. Asia had reminded her of all the financial ups and downs during the first years of their marriage and all of Bryan’s attempts to keep his online business going. Jo’s frustrations had often lingered. There were times when she wanted to give up on him, but she hadn’t.
The business card Asia gave her earlier seemed to being calling to Jo from her robe, which lay across the bed. She reached over to grab the robe, feeling for the card in the pocket. She pulled it out and looked at the attorney’s name. If she called, what would happen? What would this person say to her?
Jo still didn’t feel like this was what she wanted. She tucked the card in her Bible as a bookmark for the verses in the book of Matthew. She placed the book and iPad back on her nightstand and knelt beside the bed.
God, Bryan and I can’t stay like this. I know I don’t feel right about breaking up our family even though I’m still hurt by Bryan’s betrayal. I don’t know if I can trust him again. He’s a good father and I feel like we still love each other, but we’re stuck. Will you give us both the wisdom we need to make the best decision for all of us? I see enough pain every day and I’ve been in pain. I want to be able to move forward.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Chapter 18
Tuesday, September 8 at 11:03 a.m.
Thanks to a restful night’s sleep, Jo sat at her desk fully engaged for a change. Earlier this morning she’d finally talked to Scott Russo, Sarah’s ex-boyfriend. Someone in his family told him what happened to Sarah and the poor guy hopped on a plane back to the United States over the weekend. Jo was thankful, because Scott had encountered the man he saw with Laura on more than one occasion.
Jo asked him, “Would you say he was a regular at the restaurant?”
Scott answered, “I wouldn’t say I’ve seen him every day or every week, but he has eaten at the restaurant a few times. When he does come in, it’s usually during the lunch hour and he orders the same thing. He may have been on some diet, because he always ordered the double Angus burger without the bread, medium rare with a side salad. Just water to drink. One time I asked him if he wanted to try the special for the day, he almost looked offended. He said he didn’t like change. He liked what he likes.”
“Do you recall if he paid with a credit card?”
Jo cringed as Scott stated, “Sorry, he was a cash only guy. He left great tips.”
Despite jet lag, Scott was willing to share what he remembered with a sketch artist. Jo looked at the time. She’d requested for her sister Toni to come in and work with Scott on a sketch.
While she waited, she decided to review Maddock’s case files since she would be called in about a week to take the stand at trial. In the back of her mind, she hoped nothing would pop up to make her doubt their work on that case. She also thought it was a good idea to check for any missing loose ends. So far there were no clear connections to Maddock and Laura or Sarah’s cases, which would have been pretty impossible since the guy had been in prison.
/> Still, there was the copycat theory that both her and Pete bounced around with hesitancy. Jo couldn’t shake the similar patterns, especially in the victim’s appearance and the manner in which they were killed. Sarah in particular. She made a note to get a record of Maddock’s correspondence from prison as well as any visitors. She hated to follow up Pete’s craziest theory, but Jo wanted to be assured Maddock wasn’t influencing someone outside of prison.
She scoured the interview notes, searching for anyone in Maddock’s circle who may have been extra loyal or a devout fan. Most people thought Maddock was a charming, handsome man with no family. His friends were shocked by his arrest, and those a bit closer commented they’d always wondered why the forty-five year old never married. While he was friendly enough, he was a bit standoffish. What Jo saw was an intelligent, manipulative man who patiently waited to do his evil deeds.
Maddock never showed anger as they accused him of his crimes. Even more disturbing, he neither denied nor confirmed his involvement. What remained the same was the persistent smirk that lifted the right side of his face in an odd way, marring his good looks. Jo was not looking forward to facing him again in a courtroom, but she had to make sure he and his arrogance stayed behind bars for a long time, preferably for life.
She leaned back in her chair to rest her eyes. Her eyes landed on a photo of Sarah. Sarah’s death was unexpected. Jo still reeled with shock. She was sure Sarah’s assailant attacked her in a fit of rage. Jo wondered if Sarah had found out anything before she could share it with them.
There was no turning back now, but Jo really wished they had not spent so much time focused on Matt because finding this other guy in Laura’s life had become maddening to Jo. Witnesses were notorious for getting details wrong. However, in this case no one could give her much more than a generic description of the man. It was like he purposely made sure he stayed hidden in the shadows so no one would recognize him later.