Burden of Proof

by DiAnn Mills

  “I’ll look into it.” April would have a private conversation with Mr. Henley in the morning. She formed a mental list of how to move forward. The who on the footage puzzled her because the man shared no resemblance to Willis Lennox or Vic Henley. How many players were involved in the murder and all that followed? Jason’s false charges, Isabella’s kidnapping, Ted’s stolen flash drive?

  Was all of this because Jason refused to tell Willis where his wife and son had fled to? Or was this just one more item on a list of other crimes?

  After Ted took several screenshots of the freeze-frame showing the unidentified man, she’d sent the data to Simon. Her next and most difficult step was finding patience until the facial recognition software supplied answers. Ted and Vicki must have been reflecting on what they’d learned too because both were quiet.

  Or too upset to speak.

  At the Snyder home, Vicki baked potatoes and chicken breasts for dinner. April offered to help.

  Vicki tossed a gentle smile over her shoulder. “When I’m facing a mental meltdown, I have to keep busy. Cooking allows me to think and pray. Takes my mind off myself. Since food’s in the oven, I’m going to ready our baby girl for bed. You go ahead with whatever you need to do.” Vicki faced her. “You’re welcome to stay tonight, tomorrow night, until this is over. Ted and I want you here.”

  The invitation touched her. “Thank you. I’m not sure how long the investigation will last. It’s not my call or my case. I asked for a few days off to rest up here in Sweet Briar, but I have to be mindful of creating a conflict of interest. In the meantime, show me the door when you’re ready.”

  “Are you kidding? We’ll drive you crazy first.”

  April requested a computer, and Ted brought the laptop from the bedroom to where she sat in the living room. He watched while she pulled up a browser, but she didn’t mind. In his position, she’d do the same. Ted wanted to trust her as much as she wanted to believe him and Vicki.

  “I’m going to check social media for a few of the people who are a part of this case. Posts, comments, and photos can provide insight.”

  “I saw a program on TV about how you folks figure out where to locate people and observe behavioral patterns by what people post on social media.”

  “Right. The FBI will comb through every inch of social media of those involved to look for potential leads, but I want to see a few things for myself.”

  “You’re independent. Small but powerful, like dynamite.” He pushed himself up to stand, but she stopped him.

  “Sit with me. I don’t mind, and I’m sure you can help.” She logged onto Facebook to see if Jason had a profile for himself or Snyder Construction. Nothing. She navigated to Lily Snyder’s page. A lovely blonde met her. Blue eyes, oval face. Isabella more resembled her father. The account had been inactive for over a year. No photos of the baby, only Lily and Jason. She wanted to see if Jason kept up the page, who’d commented, what was said negative or otherwise, and photos of friends for insight into the man accused of murder.

  “We sure do miss our daughter-in-law,” Ted said. “She had a kind word for everyone she met. And when she laughed, the sound rang like a song.” He sighed. “Vicki’s on Facebook. You won’t find any photos of Isabella. Jason won’t allow it.”

  “I don’t blame him. Too many predators out there.”

  “We faced one firsthand.”

  “I’m really sorry for all you’ve been through.” April clicked to Vicki’s Facebook page. Nothing there pointed to a problem. “Do Lily’s parents live in the area?”

  “They passed years ago.”

  April paused to think about others who might offer answers either directly or indirectly. She typed.

  “Who are you searching for?”

  “Willis Lennox, and as expected, he doesn’t have an online presence. There’s a website for the county sheriff’s department. Nothing else. No links to any social media platforms.” Later she’d check to see if Billie Lennox had an active online presence.

  She pulled up Russell Edwards. “I can’t remember his wife’s name.”

  “Carrie.”

  April wanted a face-to-face with the woman who said Jason had threatened her husband. Willis’s sister. Were they alike in temperament?

  April’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “I can’t find a thing with her name. I’m checking Deputy Kevin Viner, the first responder to Jason’s 911 call.”

  “Fine man. He’s the one who needs to be on the next ballot for sheriff.”

  April found little on Kevin, but his wife kept her Facebook page active. Lots of family photos and posts. None with Kevin in uniform. “She doesn’t mention he’s in law enforcement. A wise decision since they have children.” April concentrated on the woman’s other social media favorites.

  Vicki announced dinner was ready, and April admitted the smells were more tantalizing than searching another online dead-end road. Later she’d work more on research. The day had thrown one surprise punch after another at her. And it wasn’t over yet.

  17

  JASON STAYED OFF THE GRID until darkness concealed him. He hid his truck in the woods two miles off a dirt road east of Sweet Briar and walked another half mile to Kevin Viner’s home. The deputy’s car and motorcycle were parked on the gravel driveway, and the family car was in the garage. Jason stood beside the barn, away from the pole light, and phoned him.

  “This is Jason,” he said when Kevin answered.

  “Where are you?”

  “Staying low. I need your help. You and Griff are the only ones who know the truth about Russell’s death.”

  “Willis claims you assaulted him. Said you went crazy.”

  “And you believe him? You know I had nothing to do with Russell’s murder. You were there.”

  “Doesn’t mean you didn’t go after Willis.”

  “Were there marks on him?” Jason remembered nearly strangling him earlier today.

  “Jase, I didn’t see a thing. Turn yourself in, and we’ll get this straightened out.”

  “Don’t play law enforcement on me. I need your crime report in my hands.”

  “Look, we’re friends, but my first obligation is to the law and protecting others. For me to help, I have to know what went down at the sheriff’s office.”

  Jason explained Willis’s accusation, arrest, and the release. “Willis set me up. The proof is in your report. Send me your and Griff’s findings.”

  “Can’t.”

  Jason had counted on Kevin’s evidence. He watched the house. “Would you prefer a face-to-face?”

  “Thinking about it.”

  “I’m out by your barn.”

  Jason ended the call and waited, hoping he hadn’t set himself up for a trap. Kevin could be calling Willis now, bringing deputies in for backup. The front door slammed, and his old friend walked his way. Jason willed his nerves to settle, and when Kevin arrived, he emerged from the shadows.

  “You’re going to get us both killed.” Kevin leaned against the side of the barn. “I could be arrested as an accomplice.”

  “Not unless Willis has sights on your place.”

  “Wouldn’t put it past him.”

  The slip of doubt in Kevin’s voice pushed Jason forward. “Where’s the crime report?”

  “Gave it to Willis.”

  “Complete?”

  “Of course. Why ask such a ridiculous question?”

  “He called me earlier. Told me the report didn’t mention a broken window.”

  Kevin looked back at his house. Jason followed Kevin’s gaze to where his wife sat at the table with their two young boys. “I have no idea if he tampered with my report and pics. Never thought he’d falsify a murder report.”

  “Have you been back to the construction office?”

  He shook his head. “Willis said he’d handle the investigation.”

  Go figure. “I need the truth about Russell’s death and why Willis lied.”

  Kevin wrapped his arms over h
is chest. “As much as I’d like to rid this county of Willis Lennox, I can’t help you.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “And who will protect my family? You? A fugitive wanted by every law enforcement agency in the county?” Kevin stuffed his thumbs into his jean pockets. “Earlier this evenin’ at my son’s soccer practice, Willis showed up. He said, ‘Pretty wife and two fine boys. A man has to protect what he loves, right, Kevin? Sometimes things happen, and a smart man will just ignore it.’”

  Not a surprise, just regrettable. Jason had no means to protect Kevin’s family when he doubted he could protect Isabella and his parents. The only possible help came from April and the FBI. He believed she cared for Isabella, but how far would she go to help him? “I get it, man. My daughter was kidnapped.”

  “And the same thing could happen to any of my family.”

  In the dim light, Jason bored his gaze into Kevin, taking note of the sweat on the man’s forehead, wanting to read his heart and mind.

  “I no longer have the crime scene pics. Willis asked for my phone when I turned in the report. Handed me a new one, said I deserved an upgrade.”

  “Did you send your report to anyone else?”

  “Saw no reason to.”

  No evidence anywhere, except in Willis’s possession. “The longer we allow him to break the law, the worse it gets.”

  “What have you done to Willis? What does he want?”

  Jason attempted a casual shrug. “Who knows.”

  Kevin shook his head. “Run, Jason. Take your daughter and your folks and leave the area. He has your ranch covered on all sides. No one here in the Sweet Briar area has the guts to come forward, me included.”

  “Run? Put my family through living a fugitive’s life? That’s not me.”

  “If I could find the evidence to free you, I’d turn it over to the FBI. But I’m sure it’s been destroyed.”

  “What happens the next time he pulls a stunt like this? Have you forgotten the missing charity money from the chamber of commerce? One of my crewmen said Willis arrested him for fighting. Came back to the jail a couple of hours later and said he’d arranged bail. My crewman raised the money. Oddly enough, there wasn’t a court date scheduled.”

  Kevin walked away, then swung around and took steps back to him. “I’ll tell you this much. Our families’ lives aren’t worth trying to right a wrong. Get out of Tyler County before it’s too late.”

  18

  JASON WALKED TOWARD the rear of Kevin’s property, to where he’d left his truck. In the outlying area, absent of light or voices to call attention to him, he allowed his instincts to guide his path. Didn’t mean Willis wasn’t there too. Jason felt like a lone wolf surrounded by hunters.

  Years ago when he and Willis were in high school, Willis wanted to go hunting at night. Jason agreed. Deer season kept every hunter itching for bragging rights. They camped at a deer stand on Willis’s parents’ ranch with food, two six-packs—courtesy of Willis—and more ammo than two kids really needed. They waited until a buck came into their sights.

  “I got this,” Willis had said.

  “Your mom will have venison for a long time. Look at the rack on him. You can mount it over your bed.”

  Willis took aim, fired into the buck’s head. Not once but repeatedly, until nothing remained of the animal but blood and body parts. Cruel and inhumane, a vile assault against an animal. Jason couldn’t watch. The two beers he’d downed earlier soured his stomach.

  “Why’d you blow him apart?” Jason said. “You had him on the first shot.”

  Willis laughed, a morbid sound that caused fear to ripple through Jason and made him cautious.

  “I like watching the blood and guts fly everywhere,” Willis said. “If I had a grenade, I’d have used it.” He walked to the gory remains, kicking at what was left of the buck. “You gonna see this? It’s incredible.”

  “No thanks.” Jason packed up his stuff.

  “Where you going?”

  “Headin’ home.”

  “Coward,” Willis said.

  Willis’s morbid sense of pleasure confirmed why Billie must be protected. Jason returned to his truck and drove toward a place where he could rest and think. He rolled his windows down to better listen for the hum of an engine, telling himself Willis wanted him alive. But the reminder of how he’d killed the buck provided little comfort.

  Although Kevin refused to help, he’d confirmed a few things, one being that only Willis had possession of the crime scene report. The other dealt with threatening Kevin’s family, just like he’d done to Russell with the same persuasion techniques. But a motive escaped him. If Willis planned to pin a murder on Jason, why not choose someone who wasn’t his brother-in-law?

  Willis claimed he was covered during the shooting. Did he mean he’d paid an assassin?

  Fear for Isabella rose. He needed her safely out of the picture. As he tapped in April’s phone number, his focus stayed glued on the dark ahead of him.

  “This is April.”

  “Checking in,” he said.

  “I’m at your parents’. Are you okay?”

  Was the concern in her voice genuine? “For the moment. How’s Isabella?”

  “She’s asleep, and her bedroom window is locked.”

  “I’m worried about her. All of you.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  His apprehension eased slightly. “Thanks. What’s going on?”

  “Your parents and I have been talking.”

  “Anything I should know?”

  “Jason, I’m convinced of your innocence. But I disagree with how you’re approaching things. Please, let the FBI handle the investigation.”

  The one question bombarding his mind sped ahead. “Have you been given an ultimatum to back off?”

  Silence told him what he wanted to know.

  “So—”

  “Simon knows I’m not leaving this alone. I’m taking a few days off. Staying here in Sweet Briar tonight. I can’t drive back to Houston and leave this dangling.”

  “Your confidence means a lot.” He thought of saying more, but the FBI agent had touched his bruised heart with the way she’d taken care of Isabella and seemingly believed in his innocence. “The law says I need evidence. When I find it, I’ll comply with the FBI’s wishes.”

  “You’re not thinking rationally. You were nearly killed today. I heard Willis’s threat. Look, I’m vested in this, and I’m sticking with it because of your daughter.”

  “Isabella is my priority, and I want her under federal protection.”

  “Let me get this straight. You want to find Russell’s killer your own way without involving the FBI, except you’d like my help. Oh, and you’re requesting the FBI to keep your daughter safe?”

  Her words dripped with sarcasm, and he couldn’t blame her, considering all he’d put her through. She believed in him, but she valued the law more. He respected that. “April, I can’t find Russell’s killer from the inside of a cell. Willis is behind this, and my daughter and my parents aren’t safe. What would you do in my situation?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I want answers like you do.” She sighed. “Your dad plans to hide Isabella and Vicki in a secluded cabin.”

  “I’ll talk to him again. My parents are a bit old-school and can be stubborn.”

  “It runs in the family.”

  He smiled despite the dire circumstances. “Can you put my dad on the line?” A few moments later, Dad picked up the phone. “I want Isabella in a safe house as soon as possible. You and Mom, too.”

  “Your mom, yes. Me, no.”

  Jason wasn’t in the mood to argue. “I’ve lost Lily, Russell, and almost Isabella. I’m not going to lose you, too.”

  “I know how to take care of myself.”

  “Dad, please—”

  “Settled. Conversation ended.”

  Jason knew that tone, but this wasn’t the last conversation they’d have about Dad le
aving town. “All right. Put April back on.” When she responded, he explained the conversation.

  “I’m sorry. You can rest assured Isabella and your mother will be safe. I’ll make the arrangements,” she said.

  “Is there anything else going on?”

  She told him about the missing flash drive along with the unidentified man on the bank’s security camera footage.

  He wouldn’t tell her right now that the original flash drive came from Billie, and he’d copied it but not seen its contents. “So Willis arranged to get his hands on the flash drive. I assume the FBI is working on facial recognition?”

  “They are. You must watch a lot of TV.”

  “Guilty. Isabella goes to bed early, and I need to unwind.”

  “Can you and I meet to strategize our next move and plan how to keep your family protected?”

  Cicada sounds filled the night. “I’ll need to walk into town to avoid those watching the house.”

  “I have an idea,” she said.

  “You’re the pro. Spell it out for me.”

  19

  THROUGH THE SHADOWED living room window of the Snyder home, April spied a car pulling into the driveway. Sure enough, the woman who emerged from the driver’s side was true to her word.

  Vicki spread the drapes from one end of the massive window to the other. She snapped on two lamps. “We have nothing to hide. Let all of Willis’s hired guns watch.”

  The doorbell rang and Ted answered. “Come on in, Miss Ella.” His voice boomed like a Southern preacher’s. “Always a treat to see you.”

  “With all the sad goings-on and the devil neck-deep in going after ones I love, I wanted to stop by and pray with you and Vicki.”

  He motioned for her to enter. “We could use it. Vicki’s upset about the false charges filed against Jason.”

  He closed the door. The two had memorized April’s script. She joined them in the foyer and greeted the older woman she’d met at the restaurant earlier today.

  “Miss Ella, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” April reached out her hand, but the woman drew her into a hug. They were the same height.