Burden of Proof

by DiAnn Mills

  “Do you have security measures after hours?”

  “We sure do. It’s not monitored by the police department, just a camera mounted on a pole. The device sends footage to our computer. Anyway, I’ll check with the boys and get back to you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You doin’ okay? Just heard your name’s been cleared in that horrible shooting. The news has to be a blessing.”

  Simon had kept his word. “Without a doubt. The FBI’s helping Willis with the investigation. I’m just snooping on my end. Appreciate your looking into this.”

  “Good luck. If I learn anything, I’ll call you back.”

  Another call completed. Jason’s determination climbed the ladder of hope, one rung at a time. “Tessa is organization on steroids,” he said. “Nothing gets by her.”

  “Better yet if she has a name to give us.”

  “I’m not holding my breath. Willis thinks he’s developed a foolproof plan, so it’ll likely take time to unravel it.”

  “He’ll slip. There’s too many working to stop him. We’re gaining information. You and I know he’s breaking one law after another, but that means nothing without evidence.”

  Jason made two more calls to glass companies, but no one could help him.

  The isolation, the sounds of birds, and the growing awareness of the beautiful woman beside him stirred feelings he thought were long gone. He took a glimpse at his watch. “Thirty minutes before leaving for Woodville.”

  April touched his arm. “Your mom and Isabella will be protected until this is over. It may be only a couple of days. In the meantime, we can keep digging without worrying about them.”

  “Would you rather I go to Woodville alone?” he said.

  “No, sir. Which vehicle do we take?”

  “If Willis stops us in Dad’s truck, my parents will be charged as accomplices.” He stuffed his hands into his jean pockets. “As much as I don’t like driving his, we have no choice unless we hoof it. My truck needs gas.” He retrieved his gun from the truck and placed it in Dad’s glove box.

  “I have a weapon,” she said.

  “We’re in this together.”

  Predators were everywhere.

  On the way to Woodville, April listened to Jason hum and recognized the tune. “Do I hear ‘Small Town Boy’ by Dustin Lynch?”

  “Didn’t take you for a country-western fan.” He arched his shoulders. “Not sure where the song came from since my life’s in swampville.”

  “We’re working on clean water.” She smiled, but not at him. Jason Snyder affected her in ways that were . . . scary.

  “Russell knew every song and artist on the charts. Sang all the time. Used to drive me crazy, but now I’d do about anything to hear his sour notes. Makes me feel badly for Carrie, too. Lily and me, Russell and Carrie. We spent lots of good times together.”

  She listened to him reminisce. He needed to verbalize the grief before it ate him alive. She thought of her failure with Benson . . . She’d do anything to keep Jason from taking the same fall.

  She thought about the nobility of Jason’s actions with Billie. He’d proved repeatedly that he was a man of solid character. She valued his stand, even though it could get both of them killed.

  They approached the welcome sign to Woodville. “Wish your dad was joining Vicki and Isabella.”

  “I’d like to shake him.”

  “I’m sorry it has come to this with your family.”

  “But I made the right decision. Anything else is selfish. Should have insisted on a safe house yesterday morning. My hesitancy shows a lack of good judgment.” His voice grew scratchy.

  “Hard to think about leaving Isabella?” April said.

  “I’ve never spent so much time away from my little girl. But I know Mom will take great care of her.” He took a glimpse in the side mirror. “Haven’t seen any vehicles following us.”

  “A skilled tail keeps a safe and effective distance behind whoever they’re following.”

  He chuckled. “Thanks. You’re full of optimism. This trip is risky, but telling my daughter good-bye is important.”

  April intended for him to survive whatever lay ahead to fulfill his need to father Isabella.

  She mentally scheduled a long conversation with Simon later tonight, the magnet type designed to draw out game-changing details.

  At Heritage Village, she parked in the restaurant area beside a white Lincoln Town Car with tinted glass, the vehicle Simon had described that matched the license plate number she’d been given. The moment she turned off the truck’s rumbling engine, two agents emerged—a man and woman, both of whom April recognized. Relief calmed her scattered nerves. She introduced Jason, and within five minutes, Ted joined them with Vicki and Isabella. The three emerged from Vicki’s car. A second car pulled in behind Ted, and two male agents exited their vehicle.

  Jason took Isabella into his arms. “Daddy’s girl looks pretty today. Grandma put a pink headband in your hair.” He kissed her, and she wrapped her little arms around his neck. “Can I have a few minutes with my daughter alone?” he said to one of the male agents. When Jason received permission, he carried Isabella several feet away. The agents, including April, circled the area at a respectful distance while keeping an eye on those around them.

  Vicki made her way to April’s side. They both watched a touching scene between father and daughter. “I have to talk to him,” Vicki said. “I know my son, and this separation is tearing him up. Isabella is the reason he takes one breath after another. If you come along, it will be easier for him.”

  April let the lead agent know the plan and silently walked with Vicki, not sure what was about to transpire.

  Vicki laid her hand on her son’s back. “Jason, I’ll be the only one who cares for her. She’ll never be out of my sight.”

  “I know, Mom. It’s just hard. Isabella senses something’s wrong.”

  “Remember how you felt when Lily left us? You said Band-Aids and casts fixed broken parts of people, but Lily’s leaving shattered your heart. Then you realized God had given you Isabella, and He used her to put you back together. Now He’s asking you to trust Him again.”

  Jason planted a kiss on his mother’s forehead, and April wanted to melt into the background. No one knew the future, and if this case blew up in their faces and not everyone survived, these tender moments needed to be private.

  Before she could move away, Vicki took her hand. “In the short time I’ve come to know April, I believe she’s a friend, a woman you can work alongside to prove your innocence. We all want Russell’s killer to be arrested and the woman who kidnapped our little girl to be found.”

  Jason gave a slight smile to his mother, and although it looked forced, the conviction in his eyes showed his strength. He walked with them back to the Lincoln, all the while whispering to Isabella. “You and Grandma are taking a little vacation. I love you, and I’ll see you in a few days.” He placed her in the car seat and stepped back.

  “Perhaps you or April can call?” Vicki said.

  “I can’t risk it, Mom. If the wrong person traced my phone, a safe house wouldn’t do you or Isabella any good.” He paused. “Isabella’s tracker needs to come off.”

  “I’d forgotten about it.” April spoke with tenderness in her words. Isabella had become an important part of her heart too.

  He took a tiny gold key from his wallet and unlocked Isabella’s anklet. He gently removed it and placed both in his pocket. Isabella reached up from the car seat, and he hugged her one more time. “You’ve got to go with Grandma, sweetheart.” Isabella clung to him, sobbing. “Mom, help me with her.”

  Vicki peeled Isabella’s fingers from around Jason’s neck. This had to be nearly as heart-wrenching as telling Lily good-bye. Both farewells heralded an uncertain future.

  He closed the door of the car and hurried to the passenger side of his dad’s truck. April couldn’t bear to see his face because she knew his tears were there. Hers were on the
verge of flooding her eyes.

  30

  JASON RODE IN HIS DAD’S TRUCK while April drove, leaving Woodville behind. He should make conversation, but the words refused to come. While his eyes watched the miles evaporate, he gulped for air as though drowning. With a slick hand, he rubbed his pant leg.

  Concentrate on what needs to happen.

  Get the work done.

  Live again with his daughter.

  Build and remodel homes.

  Laugh until his sides ached.

  Watch Isabella take her first step.

  He could do this, see it to the end. He was doing the right thing, putting Isabella and his mother under FBI protection. For his family’s well-being, communication had to slide to a halt until Willis wore cuffs. Perhaps Isabella would never remember the time her daddy left her.

  As for April . . . he liked her. Maybe too much for a man widowed just a little over a year.

  Since Thursday night, he’d lost sight of his normal mode of operation, the habits that kept him rooted to life.

  Why couldn’t the FBI get Willis off his rear? With all the dirt dug up on Willis, why hadn’t he been relieved of his position?

  Trust God. To another desperate person, the words tumbled out easily, but not for Jason, when his personality wore control like a pair of work gloves. He’d gotten past the anger with God taking Lily. She’d suffered nonstop for months and deserved peace and healing. And he’d been given a beautiful daughter to love.

  Trust God. Sure. Threadlike faith was all he had left.

  Another accusation seared through him—the murder-assist for Lily. One lie after another. How long before Jason shifted from broken to shattered?

  He moistened his lips and reached for his bottle of water. The high probability of meeting a bullet with his name on it made him tremble. But how could he live with himself if he didn’t throw his whole being into proving his innocence and getting Willis behind bars?

  “You’re hurting. I can see it, feel it,” April said. “How can I help?”

  He forced himself to look at her. “Missing my baby girl already.”

  “Allow yourself to grieve.”

  “Have you grieved since that man committed suicide?”

  “Not yet.” She touched his arm. “You’re always thinking about others. I admire that trait.”

  Focus on the now. “The most important part of building a house is the foundation. No point adding walls until the foundation’s laid. And I sure want to build a case against Willis. Assign me a task, because I’ve hit flat bottom. I’m no closer to finding out who killed Russell and kidnapped Isabella than yesterday. My plans are matchstick brittle.”

  “I need to talk to Brenda Krew. But she’s still not answering my phone messages.” April stared at her watch. “What time does her real estate business close?”

  “Sunday mornings.”

  “Married to her career. I get it. Maybe I should camp out at her office and wait for her to appear.”

  “She and Willis are friends, and I don’t want you caught in cross fire.” He infused his tone with sincerity, couldn’t help himself. Her tiny frame and huge brown eyes made her appear fragile. And while he knew her training made her tougher than first impressions might suggest, his tender heart had a hard time believing it.

  “I’m all right.” She bit her lip.

  Did she feel the same attraction, the one that had slammed into his heart when they were talking earlier?

  His phone rang, and a “saved by the bell” thought coursed through him. “Hey, Dad. You doing okay?”

  “I will be. Son, two things here. There’s a situation with your company. Edwardo called, and four of the crew walked off the construction site. They’re worried about job security. Willis told them you couldn’t make payroll if you were in jail.”

  Jason blew out a sigh. “I can’t fault any of them with families to feed. Did he mention who’d quit?”

  “No. Edwardo said the others offered to pitch in until this is settled.”

  Jason nodded. “Tell him thanks. I’ll be back to work as soon as I can. You mentioned two things.”

  “Billie Lennox just called me. She’s been trying to reach you. Gave me her number.”

  He inwardly startled. She was alive. “Hold on. I want April to hear this.” He tapped Speaker. “Are you sure it was Billie?”

  “She identified herself, and I recognized her voice.”

  “Good. Text me her number. Did she sound okay?”

  April slid him a sideways glance.

  “Hard to tell. Seemed anxious to talk to you.”

  “Upset?”

  “Very much.”

  “I’ll get on it.”

  “Son, on the way back from Woodville, I had me some think time. I’m pretty sure you helped Billie and Zack get away from Willis, and that’s why he’s after you now.”

  Jason let silence be his answer.

  “You should have known Willis wouldn’t take this sitting down. He’s gonna keep firing from both barrels until he’s stopped. Does the FBI think he killed Russell and set you up because of Billie and Zack? Did he hire the woman to kidnap Isabella?”

  “Maybe on all counts. I refused to tell him where they are, and the truth is I have no clue. Please keep this to yourself.”

  “I will. But Willis is a strong enemy.”

  “So let April make arrangements for you to join Mom and Isabella.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m not a coward.”

  “Neither am I. Willis needs a permanent adjustment, because his head isn’t aligned with the law.” Dad humphed. “Nothing more to report. Be safe. I’ll text you Billie’s number.”

  “Lock your doors.” Jason ended the call and turned to April. “Now we know she and Zack are alive.” His phone sounded with Dad’s text. “I’m not putting this on speaker. Might scare her.”

  “You’re right.” Her eyes widened. “Is she in the area?”

  “One way to find out.”

  Billie answered on the third ring.

  “This is Jason.”

  “I was afraid to answer, but I’d just talked to your dad. Thank God you’re all right.” She sounded weak, tired. “When I couldn’t reach you on your phone, I was afraid something had happened to you. I decided to contact your parents. I’m really sorry about Russell.” Her voice cracked, and he pictured the blonde with a battered face holding on to her son with a broken arm.

  “Precautions have been taken.”

  “I can only imagine how Carrie feels, but I can’t call her.”

  “Are you and Zack safe?”

  “Yes. New names. New life. We’ll be fine. But Willis can’t get away with this.”

  “The FBI’s on it.”

  “I may be able to help you.”

  Jason’s senses charged. “How?”

  “I think Willis killed someone and buried him on the ranch.” She sobbed. “What I’m about to say is on the flash drive. This is the first time I’ve told anyone what I saw.”

  “It’s okay. You can tell me.”

  “About seven months ago, Willis said he was meeting Kevin Viner for coffee on a Wednesday night in Woodville. He seemed on edge, like trouble was brewing. Questioning Willis meant facing a beating, so I didn’t probe him. Maybe he and Kevin were working on a case, but Kevin rarely missed Wednesday night church. Willis told me to stay home, said I looked tired. You know how I feel about church, so I protested. Received a smack in the face for it. When he left, I grabbed Zack and followed him with my lights off. Willis hadn’t slept at home for two nights, and I suspected another affair. Even hoped he might leave me. He drove the narrow dirt road along the east side of the ranch and parked. I ordered Zack to stay in the car. Told him if I didn’t return in thirty minutes, he was to walk back to the house and call you. I took off on foot after Willis.” She paused. “He opened the trunk of his cruiser, and in the dim light, I saw him pull out a man’s body. The man may have been wearing a red jacket. I c
ouldn’t tell for sure. Willis carried him into the woods. I hurried back to Zack and drove off. That’s when I started making plans to leave him.”

  Jason tuned out everything but Billie’s words. “Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?”

  “Positive.”

  “Do you remember the exact location?”

  “The footpath midway down the road next to your place.”

  Jason knew where she meant. “Thanks for reaching out to me, for putting yourself at risk. I have friends at Houston’s FBI, and I’ll make sure they’re aware of this.”

  “If he did bury a body and shoot Russell, he’s guilty of two murders. I went back the next day and took a few pictures of footprints and overturned dirt. Those are on the flash drive I gave you with a few other things. But no one is to see them unless Willis is arrested, and his attorney can’t bail him out. Or I end up dead. Promise, Jason.”

  “I give you my word.” Willis now had the proof, but he probably didn’t count on Jason having the images too. One more reason for Willis to find Billie and Zack.

  “I’m sorry for involving you in this mess.” Billie’s voice broke. “I told myself I wouldn’t fall apart.”

  “It’s okay. You’ve gone through enough. I’m praying for you and Zack. You know you can trust me.” When the call ended, Jason set his phone in the console. “Billie risked a lot by contacting me.” He relayed the conversation.

  “The flash drive is in a safe place?” He nodded and she continued. “Are you calling Simon?”

  “Not yet. I want to look for evidence myself first.”

  She tucked black hair behind her ear. “You’re making a mistake. Willis will shoot you for trespassing.”

  “If I call Simon, he won’t let me within a hundred yards of the site. Drop me off, and I’ll call you later.”

  “No way. We’re taking a look together.”

  “I know the location Billie’s referring to. We’ll enter Willis’s ranch through a remote side bordering my land. I’m guessing if the FBI is involved, they’ll need a search warrant.”