Holland’s gaze lingered on the photographs a little too long.
“You did know her,” Madison said.
“It’s not what you think—” He picked up the last photo. “You think that I killed her?”
“I think you may have had reason to.” She was going to play this cool and calm. Let him hang himself.
“And what would that be?”
“Have you ever been to Club 69?”
Holland looked at Troy as if to communicate that most men have. It was apparent Troy wasn’t responding to this guy’s attempts at male bonding. Troy was on another level…many tiers above this piece of shit.
“Answer the question,” Troy said.
Holland blinked deliberately and paled, indicating that Troy intimidated him. Good. Troy likely intimidated most people with his build and those eyes that could see through a person.
“Yes, I’ve been there,” Holland admitted through clenched teeth.
“Were you sleeping with Zoe?” Troy asked.
“Yes.” He must have realized there was no point in lying. Again, there was no shame evident in his expression. His justification? Adultery was just something the modern man did. She wanted to hurt the guy.
“Did you ever see Zoe at Club 69?” Madison asked, keeping her anger in check.
“No.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to think that answer through? We have witnesses who place you in the club arguing with Zoe,” Madison said, stretching their suspicion to truth in search of a reaction.
“If you knew I did then why did you—” Holland stopped talking. “That was a trap.”
“Yep, and you fell for it.” Madison dropped onto the love seat now and crossed her legs. “Why don’t you start telling us the truth now?”
“I had sex with her once.”
Madison rolled her hand in a circle toward him. “Continue.”
Holland glanced at Troy, who had taken up sentinel to her right, his hands clasped in front of his body, shoulders back, tight, ready to react.
“She told me I got her pregnant,” Holland said.
Madison’s heart started racing. Had everything truly happened just as she had theorized?
Holland continued. “She threatened to tell Hannah about our affair.”
Madison assumed “Hannah” was his wife.
“Did Zoe know that you were sleeping with her mother?” Madison asked.
A cocky grin lit his features. “I think that was part of the appeal for her.”
Madison would never be able to wrap her mind around that one. “So why did you confront her at the club? What did you hope to accomplish?”
“She told me that if I gave her five thousand dollars, she’d leave me alone. She even promised to get an abortion.”
“But she didn’t follow through,” Troy said.
Holland shook his head. “She said she was going to keep the baby, that it was the right thing to do. I asked for my money back. Not that it would fix anything. She could always change her mind and come back years from now and destroy my life.”
Two things stood out about his statement. First, Zoe hadn’t destroyed his life; he had done that himself. In fact, his existence was like a house of cards about to collapse. It was just a matter of time. Second, the girls from the club mentioned they had overheard him yelling at Zoe about paying back money.
“This argument got very heated, didn’t it?” Madison asked.
“She took the five thousand and spent it! She said she bought a bunch of clothes and it was all gone.”
Five thousand wasn’t anywhere near enough for Zoe to afford her house and wardrobe. She must have been milking other men for money, as well.
“That must have made you very angry,” Madison said.
“You have no idea.”
“I think we do. When you realized that Zoe not only took your money but was having your baby, you snapped,” she stated.
“The only reason she was even going to keep it was because of her stupid aunt. The woman’s stuck in the past.”
So he was aware of Faye… It was Madison’s turn to play stupid. “What do you mean?”
“She was all about pro-life. Abortions were ‘wrong.’ She brainwashed Zoe into having the same belief.”
“There’s a reason for that.” She waited until Holland’s eyes aligned with hers. “If it weren’t for Kimberly’s mother standing by her decision to have Kimberly, Zoe wouldn’t even be around. Heck, neither would Kimberly.”
If what he was saying held truth, Zoe didn’t murder Faye. She was going to keep the baby because of her. Their conflict must have been worked out. That would explain why neither Kimberly nor Della had mentioned an argument between Faye and Zoe.
“I didn’t really know Zoe, either. I had sex with her once, and she ends up pregnant? I think it was a setup from the start.”
“You had a lot to gain from Zoe’s death. Heck, you even had a reason to kill her aunt,” Madison said.
Holland’s face paled even more, and he leaned forward, his hands on his desk. “I didn’t kill anyone.” Holland’s voice was tight, constricted.
“Then you won’t have any problem telling us where you were at the time of their murders.” She knew that Terry had called Holland and verified that he was with Kimberly Bell, but she was testing him.
“Murders?”
“Yes. Both Zoe and her aunt were killed within the past week.” Madison provided him the dates and times.
“A detective already called me, and I told him I was with Kimberly.”
“And that’s still your story?”
“It’s not a story. It’s the truth.”
“For all those hours?”
“Yes,” he hissed.
She studied his eyes, his body language. He seemed to be telling the truth. She felt like a deflated balloon—empty.
“One more thing,” she began, “when did you last see Zoe?”
“The night we argued at the club.”
She nodded. “Don’t leave town,” she warned, leaving without as much as a good-bye.
BACK IN THE CAR, Madison wanted to be sick. On top of not catching Holland in a lie, she’d embarrassed herself in front of Troy.
Troy touched her shoulder and she looked at him. “Look at it this way,” he said. “You found your mystery man.”
She slammed a palm into the steering wheel. “I thought we had this bastard. I thought this case was behind me.”
He reached over and put his hand on her forearm. “You’ll get the killer. I have no doubt.”
“Why? Because I’m a bulldog?”
He flashed one of those rare smiles. “Something like that.”
She balled up her fist and punched his shoulder lightly.
“Hey, what was that for?” He rubbed where she hit him.
“It means I like you.”
They made eye contact. It was almost as if he was waiting until she looked into his eyes before he spoke.
“I love you, too.”
-
Chapter 60
MADISON HAD LEFT TROY’S BED at about six that morning. She’d tried to do it as stealthily as possible, but the man was too attuned to his surroundings. She supposed it went with his training and had benefited him numerous times in the field. It likely meant the difference between life and death on several occasions—for him, those serving under him, and innocent civilians.
He had put on a pot of coffee and made her an omelet before sending her on her way. She smiled fondly at the memory as she drove to work, the way his eyes had brightened when he’d told her to have a great day. The coolness from when they were fighting had melted away completely. The three words he’d said the night before had changed the dynamics of their relationship.
She had yet to say I love you back to
him, but he obviously got the message. Wasn’t that enough?
Her heart pounded just thinking about verbalizing her emotions. Feeling love for him was one thing, but to put it into words was like taking a proverbial leap from a tower. It made things real.
He had an easier time exposing his heart with their relationship, and she admired his courage to do so, especially when his love life had been far from easy, too. For Madison, it had been a cheating fiancé, but for him it had been his wife. Vows spoken. Vows broken. That had to hurt much worse.
It was almost eight thirty when Madison got to the station. There was no need to stop at Starbucks this morning. She had drunk enough caffeine before leaving Troy’s to tide her over for the day.
As she passed by her desk, Terry wasn’t there and it didn’t look like he had been in yet. She instantly thought of Annabelle and pulled out her phone. No text messages or voice mails. Hopefully everything was all right. She’d give him until nine and then call him if she hadn’t heard anything.
She entered the lab in search of Cynthia, hoping that she’d have more results to share by now. Ben’s phone records, a DNA match for the fetus…anything that could help with this case. She still had one person in mind to visit, too: Della Carpenter. She needed to know if Della had been aware of Zoe’s lifestyle and that she and Faye had a falling out, even a short-lived one.
Madison heard giggling as she entered the lab, but it wasn’t Cynthia’s voice. Tucked into the corner of the room, Lou and Samantha were standing close to each other, laughing. When they saw her, they jumped apart.
What the hell?
She flashed back to that look they’d given each other in the alley. And now they were huddled together all alone?
“What’s going on, guys? And you better not dream of bullshitting me.” There was no way she’d stand by while Lou cheated on her best friend. She’d protect Cynthia until her dying breath, and if there was an afterlife, she’d do it then, too.
Lou hooked his thumbs on the waist of his pants and then tucked them into his pockets. “There’s nothing going on.” He pulled one hand out.
“Nothing? I did say no—”
“It’s not bullshit, Maddy!” Samantha protested.
“I suggest you shut the—”
Lou tugged on Madison’s arm and hauled her to the other side of the room.
“Get your hands off me.” She tried to yank out of his grip and finally wriggled free.
Samantha came toward them, but Madison’s glare grounded the technician’s steps to a halt.
“It’s not what you think.” Lou gestured toward Samantha.
Madison crossed her arms. “And what do I think this is?”
“Knowing you, you’re thinking I’m messing around on Cyn.”
Madison pressed her lips and remained silent.
“Well, I’m not.”
“We’re planning an engagement party,” Samantha said. Her voice was small, cautious.
“A party?” She analyzed their eyes, their postures, and gave their defense consideration. They were telling the truth. Then the betrayal that she thought would be Lou’s became hers. “I’m her maid of honor. Aren’t I supposed to organize that?”
Her stomach swirled. Had she let Cynthia down? Was she a bad friend because the thought to arrange an engagement party had never crossed her mind?
“I didn’t think it would be something you’d enjoy doing,” Lou said.
“It seems there are a lot of assumptions going around. I’m the maid of honor.”
“See, I told you, Lou,” Samantha said.
Lou shot her a glare, and Samantha blushed.
“You’re right. I should have at least went to you first,” he said.
Any hurt morphed to anger. “Damn straight you should’ve.”
“I’m sorry.”
She sighed and nodded. She knew his apology was sincere. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt next time.”
He chuckled. “That would be nice. Can I call you later? We”—he bobbed his head toward Samantha to include her, as well—“can meet up someplace and brainstorm the party. Who to invite, where to hold it. All the details.”
She had been wrong to assume the worst about Lou Stanford. He loved Cynthia. He was marrying her, and he was one of the few men who was going to mean his vows when he spoke them.
“Sure. Just remember, like me, she doesn’t like surprises. We’ll have to be up-front once it’s planned,” Madison said.
“That’s right. See, I should have partnered with you on this from the start. You know her better than anyone.”
Madison felt bad for Samantha. “I’m sure Sam would have done a great job planning it with you. But, yeah, now I’m on board, the three of us are going to rock it.” She didn’t know the first thing about throwing an engagement party, but she’d figure it out. That’s what Google was for.
The lab door swung open, and Cynthia entered. “What are you three going to rock?”
Madison didn’t respond.
Cynthia’s gaze went to Lou, then Samantha, who quickly excused herself.
“We’re going to rock this case,” Madison said.
“What case? Aren’t you and Lou enemies or something on these investigations?” Cynthia chuckled. “He is paired with Sovereign.”
“Eh, I won’t hold that against him,” Madison said.
“I’ve got to go. We’ll talk later, baby.” Lou kissed Cynthia and left the lab.
Cynthia jacked a thumb after him and spoke to Madison. “He’s acting so strange lately.” She shrugged her shoulders and snapped on a pair of gloves.
“Do you have any updates for me?” Madison asked, moving to more comfortable territory. “Please tell me you have something.”
“I have a DNA match for the fetus.”
“Well, don’t keep me waiting in suspense.”
“Mario Cohen.”
“That’s the one owner of Club 69 where Zoe worked.”
“Well, he was the father of Zoe’s baby.”
Elias had mentioned Zoe saying she liked her boss. “But why would he have killed her?”
“That’s your job to figure out.”
“Wow, thanks ever so.” Madison smirked at her.
Mario’s house was nowhere near the alley. Madison considered further motive. Mario would have lost a stripper, and depending on how Zoe played things, she might have been extorting him, too.
“What about Ben Dixon’s phone records?” Madison asked.
“You’re never satisfied, are you?”
“I’m tenacious.”
“Uh-huh. You must really think Ben’s lying about who he called in that parking lot.”
She shrugged. “He’s given me no reason to trust him.”
“Well, you’ll have to leave and wait on those findings. I didn’t end up getting the records by the end of yesterday. I’m hoping they will come in first thing today.”
“Can you call to follow up with the company?”
Cynthia held the eye contact and let out a staggered breath. “For you, I can do that.”
-
Chapter 61
TERRY HAD SHOWN UP JUST after Madison had gotten their lead. He essentially entered the lab and then backed up his steps, and they got in their department sedan and sped off.
“Mario Cohen is the father? I can’t say that surprises me,” Terry said from the passenger seat.
She had just parked in the lot of Club 69.
“He’s the father, but Zoe still had sex with Ben before she died. It’s probably the real reason Mario recognized him. He was likely aware of their sleeping together,” she responded. She then filled Terry in on her visit with Donnie Holland, and he was grateful that she hadn’t pulled him away from Annabelle.
“Going back to Mario. He’s a proud man
, but he doesn’t really strike me as the jealous type,” Terry said.
“Okay, this might be a long shot, but remember when we spoke to Ken? He’d said that Zoe had sex with everyone but him? Well, he did sound jealous. What if he found out that Zoe was pregnant, possibly even with Mario’s baby—”
“He’d be pissed.”
“But enough to kill?” She held eye contact with Terry.
“Well, I guess we’ll find out.”
The front door of the club was locked, but the plates on the two vehicles in the lot came back to Mario and Ken.
“Let’s go around back,” Madison said, leading Terry to the dancers’ entrance.
The back door was unlocked, but the second she cracked it open she heard yelling. Madison held her finger to her lips, and Terry nodded.
Their voices were familiar.
“Mario and Ken,” she whispered to Terry.
“You are a stupid shit!” Mario shouted.
“We’ve been through this—”
“You’re no damn good at keeping quiet. And the cops are sniffing around. I’m not going down with you!”
Something toppled over inside, and there was a loud crash. The sound of shattering glass cracked as loud as a thunderbolt and then rained down for a moment longer.
Madison pulled her gun from her holster, and Terry did the same. They headed in the direction of the noise.
More banging and thumping. The men were definitely in a scuffle.
“You killed her!” It was Mario’s voice again.
Something seemed to smack into the wall on the other side of where Madison stood in the hallway. A barstool? A table?
Based on the layout of the club, it would be a wall within one of the private rooms, she reasoned.
She and Terry carefully cleared their way through the club until they were outside of the room.
She banged on the door. “Stiles PD!”
All movement inside stopped.
“Put your hands up in the air. We’re coming in,” she called out.
She made eye contact with Terry to make sure he was ready. A slight bob of his head and she breached the door. It was an office and storage room.
“Stiles PD!” she repeated for the sake of protocol. “Hands up!”
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