Partners

by Kira Chase

  “I'm sure they didn't count on all that's happened. So now that Kyle has been arrested, once he gets Will to sign the house over, Blake and he will most likely, out of spite, decide to go ahead with their original plan and bury Will, if only because they’re pissed off that Will never had the share in Trey's business they assumed he had,” George reasoned.

  “Isn’t that still a risk? Blake might still find a way to taint the evidence with Will's DNA without getting caught. I mean maybe he has someone else who's working with him,” Frankie said.

  “It's highly unlikely. If anyone who hasn’t already been assigned to the case asks to look at the evidence, they’d be highly suspect.”

  “Can those assigned to the cold cases be trusted?” Johanna asked.

  “Yes. Blake Roman isn’t well liked by many in the department. He's got quite a reputation and it is not a good one.” George folded his hands and placed them on top of his desk. “Besides, if Kyle's DNA matches, they've got their man.”

  “It doesn't mean it will,” Johanna said. “Why suspect Kyle of rape?”

  George rubbed his chin. “I'm the one who suggested Kyle's name to the commissioner.”

  “What do you know that we don't?” Frankie looked quizzically at him.

  “I'm surprised you two haven't figured it out.” He smiled. “I'm sure you would have eventually, but all your attention, as I'm pleased it was, has been focused on Bobby.”

  Johanna's face puckered. “Okay, quit teasing and tell us what's going on.”

  “Last night I got to thinking about all of this and started piecing it together. I do believe Kyle drugged Will. Then I thought about the time frame of the cold case rapes. They happened when Will was living in Seattle and abruptly ended when he moved. Kyle stopped the rapes and kept his dirty little secret to himself, knowing he'd never be arrested for them as long as he kept his nose clean and didn’t give the cops any reason to run his DNA.”

  Frankie still wasn't convinced. Rapists didn’t just stop raping women. The desire was too ingrained. “I don’t know if I can believe he just stopped. And. I can't believe Kyle would tell his brother-in-law he raped all those girls.”

  “I know it’s not the established norm for rapists to curtail their compulsive behavior, but it’s not unheard of. As for confessing to Blake, he’d be the last person to whom Kyle would ever admit his crimes. When this situation arose with Will, it proved to be the perfect opportunity for Kyle to work out his plan to place the blame on Will and enlist Blake's help to do it.”

  “Makes sense, I suppose” Frankie admitted.

  “What about Bobby?” Johanna asked. “We need to think about his well-being.”

  “You’ll be pleased to know that in a few minutes someone from CPS is coming here for a meeting to discuss just that. I had a long conversation with her this morning and she's anxious to hear the tape.”

  Chapter 19

  Johanna watched Carolyn Davies' facial muscles twitch slightly and her lips tighten as she listened to the tape. The caseworker from CPS was a cheerful, attractive blonde in her late twenties. She was dressed in a stylish cream-colored business suit when she arrived and sat down to listen to the tape.

  As it ended, George sat staring intently at Ms. Davies, waiting for her response, as was Johanna and Frankie. The woman's lips were taut as she sat rigid, scribbling notes in her notepad.

  “Where is Bobby Martin now?” Carolyn Davies asked, concerned as she stopped writing, and looked up at them.

  “He's at our house,” Johanna quickly replied motioning toward Frankie.

  “A good friend of ours is with him while we're here,” Frankie added.

  “Will Benjamin is his alleged biological father and he has given permission for Bobby to stay with you?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Johanna answered.

  “I think we need to start at the beginning,” George said.

  “My supervisor filled me in about your conversation this morning, Sheriff Ryker.”

  “There's much more than we could cover in a phone call,” George said quietly. “I'd like Frankie and Johanna to fill you in on what transpired the evening they were invited to dinner to meet Kyle Martin.”

  An hour later, Carolyn Davies snapped her notebook shut. “We won't need to arrange temporary custody since Will Benjamin is the alleged father and has given his permission for the boy to stay with you. That is, if you are willing to take responsibility for him until we can get this resolved.”

  “We want him to stay,” Johanna replied without hesitation.

  Carolyn’s eyes clouded as she turned her attention squarely on George. “Are you still holding Kyle Martin?”

  He nodded. “He went before the judge earlier this morning. Until bail is posted, he'll sit.”

  She smiled. “Good. I'm going to get right on this. Let's hope his bail isn't posted.” She checked the time. “I'll keep you informed.” She passed out cards to George, Frankie, and Johanna.

  “Why would the court not even ask to hear Bobby's side of things? I know the explanation we've been given, but it still doesn't make sense to me,” Johanna said through narrowed eyes.

  Carolyn Davies grimaced. “I agree and that's what I'll be checking into. According to what Bobby Martin said on the tape, no one bothered to question him.” Her mouth drew into a thin line. “That's unusual and highly irregular.” She tucked her notebook and pen into a large bag. “I'll also want to question Bobby.”

  “Of course. When?” Frankie asked.

  She pulled out her cell phone and checked her calendar. “Would it be possible to meet at four?”

  “That'll be fine. Where would you like to meet? Our house is pretty rural, but we'd be happy to give you directions,” Johanna said.

  “Why not here?” George offered. “You'll want to talk to Bobby privately, so you can use a conference room.”

  “Good. I'll get going on this.” She rose, slung her bag over her shoulder, and nodded to them on her way out.

  George blew his breath out. “Are you ladies headed to the office?”

  “Yes,” Frankie answered. “I'll give Trey a call and have him bring Bobby to the office and we'll fill him in before we bring him over.”

  “Sounds good,” George said.

  * * * *

  Frankie leaned back in her chair. “Okay, we have to begin our surveillance tomorrow night for Helen Cosco.”

  “Didn't we have another potential client coming in, also?”

  “Yes, Harry Talbot. He thinks his wife is cheating, but he wants to wait a few days before deciding if he wants her followed. He said he'll be in touch,” Frankie said. “Stafford Law Firm called and needs us to deliver some summonses on Friday or Monday. They'll let us know.”

  “Good,” Johanna replied as she picked up a stack of invoices. “And we'll have a nice deposit for the bank this week.”

  “I like the sound of that,” Frankie said. She glanced toward the door. “Trey should be bringing Bobby any minute.”

  The words had barely left her lips when the door opened and Bobby, wearing a big smile, walked in, followed by Trey.

  “What did you two do all day?” Frankie asked as Bobby looked around their office.

  “This morning we went to the gym. It's a little bigger than the one I go to with my grandpa, but they had the same equipment,” the teen said.

  Trey smiled. “He's pretty good…actually more familiar with the equipment than I realized.”

  “But the best part of the day was when Trey set up the video chat,” Bobby said excitedly. “You should have seen my grandparents faces when they saw me.” He became overcome with emotion and his voice cracked.

  “I wish I would have been there,” Frankie said softly.

  “That must have been quite the surprise for them,” Johanna added.

  “It was. They want to meet the both of you later, if that's okay.”

  “Definitely. I'm looking forward to it,” Frankie replied as Johanna nodded in agreement.


  “It was something to see,” Trey admitted as his eyes misted. “I think it did Bobby as well as his grandparents a world of good to see each other.”

  “Well, I'm looking forward to meeting them,” Johanna said.

  “Good. They can't wait to meet you both. They were worried that I'd lost weight, but I told them you two were already fattening me up,” Bobby said.

  Johanna laughed. “With Frankie's cooking it won't take long.” She looked at Trey. “Are you coming with us, I hope?”

  “Yes. Later I have to meet with my lawyer. He called me and said it was important. I told him since I would be in town and meeting with George, I'd see him when we were finished.”

  “Good. Well, we'd better get this show on the road then,” Johanna said.

  “Will all of you be there when I'm questioned?” Bobby asked.

  Frankie laid a hand on his shoulder. “You have to do this alone, Bobby, or we would be. The woman who will be questioning you, Johanna and I already met this morning. Her name is Carolyn Davies, and she's very nice. She'll be fair. Just answer her questions truthfully and tell her what you told us on the tape.”

  His forehead wrinkled. “I still wish you all could be there with me,” he said apprehensively.

  “Everything will be okay,” Johanna reassured him. “We'll be close by. In fact, we'll all be waiting for you in Sheriff Ryker's office.”

  His eyes grew fearful. “I won't have to see Kyle, will I?”

  “Definitely not,” Frankie said firmly. “Kyle is locked up and you won't be anywhere near him. We're not going to let him hurt you again, Bobby.”

  He nodded. “I know. It's just that—”

  Frankie nodded. “It's okay to be fearful of him, Bobby, after all he's done to you, but I give you my solemn word that he will not be anywhere near you today.”

  “I've got a great idea,” Johanna announced. “After you're finished with Carolyn Davies we'll go out to dinner. When was the last time you went out to dinner, Bobby?”

  He shrugged. “When I was with my grandparents.”

  * * * *

  “How long do you think she'll question Bobby?” Frankie asked as she paced the floor in George's office.

  “Frankie, please sit down,” George said patiently. “Everything is falling into place.” He leaned back in his large chair as a wide smile broke across his face. “You'll see.”

  Frankie stopped pacing and she, Johanna and Trey looked curiously at him. “What's going on, George?” Johanna asked. “Do you know something we don't?”

  “You'll see,” he said again, looking like he was ready to burst. “I'm not going to say anything right now, but I promise to let you in on it very soon.”

  Frankie had stopped pacing in front of the coffee mess and now decided to pour herself another cup. “As soon as Bobby's finished with Carolyn Davies we're all going out to celebrate. We'd like you to join us, too, George.”

  “I'd love to, but I'm expecting a very important call.”

  Frankie frowned. “You have a cell.”

  “I know, but this is official business and I'd rather not use my cell.”

  “Okay, but if you can get away I'll text you what restaurant we'll be at and you can meet us.”

  “Good,” George said picking up his mug of coffee.

  Trey sat in a chair wringing his hands. “I wish this nightmare would end soon. I feel like my life is in limbo.”

  Johanna walked over to him and gave him a hug. “You'll get through it, Trey. We're all here for you.”

  “I know,” he replied, “and you don't know how much I appreciate it. And being with Bobby helps take my mind off of everything.”

  “I think being with you does the same for him,” Frankie said.

  George's phone buzzed and he picked it up. He raised an eyebrow. “Please send them right in, Macy.”

  Frankie looked quizzically at the sheriff. “What's going on?”

  He shook his head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  Before he could say more, his secretary opened the door and Will stepped inside followed by Trey’s attorney, Jack Anderson, whom Frankie and Johanna sometimes did business for, so he was no stranger.

  After greetings were exchanged, Anderson turned his attention to Trey.

  “What are you doing here, Jack?” Trey asked in a surprised tone of voice. He avoided acknowledging Will. “How could I be so stupid? I get it! Will went to you and brought you here so he could sign his half of the house over to Kyle Martin.” He nodded emphatically. “It makes perfect sense now. That's why you called and asked if I could meet you this afternoon. You knew where to find me since I told you where I'd be.”

  “Are you finished, Trey?” the attorney asked calmly. “Only part of what you said is true. Let me explain.”

  “No need,” he said defeated. “So now Kyle Martin owns half my house. I guess it was convenient to find all of us in the same building.”

  Jack Anderson tilted his head. He was a tall, lean man, mid-forties with light brown hair and sharp chiseled features. “No. Kyle Martin does not own half of your house.”

  Trey's forehead creased. “Why are you here then…with him?” He nodded his head in Will's direction.

  Anderson pulled a folder from his briefcase and removed a file. He handed it to Trey. “Sign where indicated.” He removed a pen from his pocket and gave it to Trey.

  Frankie and Johanna quietly stood back near George's desk, giving Trey and his attorney as much privacy as was possible in the small office. Will stayed by the closed door with his eyes focused on the floor.

  Trey slowly read through the document. He suddenly stopped, looked up, and cast his eyes on Will. “You've signed your half of the house over to me, Will?” he asked surprised.

  Will inhaled sharply as he raised his eyes and met Trey's. “It's your house, Trey. I'll move out as soon as I can get my things together and find a place to live.”

  Frankie wondered where Brenna would go. According to her, she had no money. Did Will even know what would happen to her? She doubted he cared, but she had to ask. “What about Brenna, Will?”

  He shrugged. “Brenna isn't my problem. Maybe she'll go back to Seattle. She has her job there. She has nothing here.”

  “Do you think she'll leave without Kyle?” Frankie persisted.

  He frowned. “I don't know and I really don't care. I don't speak to her.” He cleared his throat. “If it's okay with you, and you too, Johanna, I'd like Bobby to stay with you. I'm going to sign custody over to his grandparents, but until everything is settled, I think he'll be better off with the both of you.”

  George rubbed his chin. “Will, you do understand that none of us believe you are Bobby's biological father.”

  “I know and I don't care,” he replied curtly. “I saw the proof.”

  Frankie caught George's eye. It took a moment and then dawned on her where George was going with this. She'd lay odds that he was going to try to convince Will to get a DNA test and allow Bobby to be tested. Kyle and Brenna still couldn’t block the request or their scam would be blown wide open.

  George grunted. “Why don't you just submit to another test if for nothing more than to humor us? If the test comes back positive, then it will put an end to our doubts and we'll admit that we were wrong. If it comes back negative, then it'll prove to you that Kyle has a reason for wanting you to believe you are Bobby's father and it would certainly force you to question what he would gain from such a deception. Surely it's more than half ownership in a house and child support.” He leaned forward in his chair, keeping his eyes glued to Will's. “We can get the test done right now. Just a swab…nothing to it.”

  “I already know how it's done.” His eyes slanted and his jaw jutted out. “Fine. If that will get you all off my back, I'll do it.”

  “Let's do it, then.” George rose. “No time like the present.”

  “Where's Bobby?” Will asked, apparently just realizing the boy wasn't in the room.

  �
��He's talking to someone from Child Protective Services,” Johanna said.

  “We'll borrow Bobby from Carolyn Davies for a few minutes and get him swabbed, too. I'll put a rush on it and we should have the results very soon.”

  Will nodded and followed George out of the office.

  Trey finished signing the documents and handed them and the pen back to Jack Anderson. He placed the documents back into his briefcase and then said his goodbyes.

  After he left, Frankie and Johanna were immediately at Trey's side. “This is a total shock,” Trey said as relief washed over him. “I can't believe Will did this.”

  “I can,” George announced coming back into the room. “I don't think he ever intended to hurt you, Trey. In fact, I believe in his own way he was trying to protect you.”

  “Protect me from what?” Trey asked puzzled. “By the way, where is Will?”

  “He's going back to the house to inform Brenna that she needs to make arrangements to leave as soon as possible. To answer your first question, I think Will got entangled in something, unknown even to himself, so horrible he felt trapped.”

  “No matter what, he still should have come to me.”

  “By signing the entire house over to you, does that change your mind at all about him?” Frankie asked. She was careful not to mention what Kyle Martin and Blake Roman were up to.

  He shook his head. “No. He broke my trust.”

  “Well, Trey, you have to admit he's trying to win it back by having his name removed from the deed.”

  He rubbed his jaw. “I suppose. I'm mentally wrung out. After I move back home, I'll sort through all of this. Right now, my mind isn't clear.”

  Frankie patted his shoulder. “It'll all work out. As soon as Bobby gets back in here, we'll celebrate.”

  Trey smiled. “Yes. This is worth celebrating.”

  Chapter 20

  “Bobby, thank you for talking to me,” Carolyn Davies said after returning Bobby to the Sheriff's Office.