Deadly Deception

by Marissa Garner

Hoping the rattled man would understand, Sean closed his eyes and nodded very slowly.

  Nate blinked and drew a deep breath. “She…was sleeping.”

  Luke made a note. “Go on.”

  The story progressed smoothly until Luke asked about Hal’s getaway. “Who drove?”

  Just like Chad, Nate fumbled.

  Sean frowned. What was so difficult about that question?

  “Who drove?” Luke repeated.

  Nate seemed to gather his wits and squared his shoulders. “Uncle Chad drove to San Ysidro. I drove back because he was exhausted.”

  Luke spent a good deal of time picking his brain about where they’d searched for Hal in San Ysidro, but the answers clearly indicated Nate was unfamiliar with the area. He couldn’t remember street names or in which direction they were going. The lack of information would make tracking down Hal’s truck more difficult. That realization made Luke a frustrated interrogator. He scowled and held the pencil in a death grip. After making several more notes, Luke slapped down his notepad. “You can get the others,” he said to Sean, jerking his head toward the hallway.

  Sean opened the bedroom door and poked his head in. Chad slouched on the bed, gazing out the window into the night. “Luke’s done. You can come out.”

  Chad nodded.

  Soundlessly, Sean pushed the master bedroom door open. Lying on the bed, Jess stared at the ceiling, her arms crossed over her middle. She didn’t react when he stepped into the room.

  He sat next to her and took one of her ice-cold hands in his. “It’s gonna be okay, babe. You all did fine.”

  She blinked at him. “Nothing’s fine.” She pulled her hand away and rolled out the other side of the bed.

  When they reached the living room, things had gone downhill. What in the world had happened in those few minutes?

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Luke said in a volume just below yelling. “You confronted someone you suspected of murder without…without…” His shook his head in disbelief.

  “It was three against one,” Nate said defensively.

  “Yeah, and the one got away. You’re lucky he ran instead of shooting you. I know he keeps a rifle in that truck of his.” Luke smacked the arm of the recliner. “You should’ve called me before you left the attorney’s office.”

  “All we could think about was Hal…and Mom,” Jess added from the hallway entrance.

  Luke’s head whipped around. “No. You didn’t think at all.”

  “Look. We’d just read Mom’s letters about Hal having an affair and how she was…was afraid of him,” she tried to explain.

  “Wasn’t that enough of a warning?” He rolled his eyes. “And I’m gonna need those letters.”

  The three witnesses automatically turned to Sean. Shit. He’d hoped the deputy wouldn’t ask for them tonight. Well, hell. He swallowed hard. “They burned them.”

  Luke sprang out of the recliner and stomped across the living room. Leaning forward, he got in Sean’s personal space. “They what?”

  “Burned them.”

  A flush worked its way up the deputy’s neck to his face. “You’re fucking kidding me, Detective Burke. You let them destroy evidence.”

  “FYI, they didn’t ask me first.” Sean lifted his chin and glared back. “Evidence? Of what? Those were twenty-five-year-old letters. Molly disappeared only three days ago. What relevance did they have?”

  “You’re not an attorney, Burke.”

  “Well, at least I have a degree in criminal justice.” Resentment tightened Luke’s expression, making Sean immediately regret his statement.

  “The letters proved she’d been afraid of him before,” Luke said.

  “That was twenty-five fucking years ago with not a shred of proof—no domestic violence reports, no restraining orders, no anecdotal incidents—that she’s ever been afraid of him again. And that one ancient instance was…uh…apparently after discovering he was having an affair, as they just explained. More than two decades ago. No one’s suggesting he’s having one now.”

  “He could’ve been. Who knows what made him snap? When Molly was at the beauty shop Friday afternoon, maybe she learned he’d been screwing around and came home to confront him,” Luke said.

  Actually, four people knew what had made Hal snap, and the old letters weren’t relevant in his child pornography crime either. Dear God, Sean hoped it was never necessary, but if Hal was tried on new charges, the pictures on the hard drive and the testimony of today’s three witnesses would be enough evidence. Suddenly, he felt much better about the burned letters.

  “Luke, isn’t Hal’s confession about murdering Mom more important?” Jess interjected, pulling Sean from his thoughts. “Especially since three of us heard it.”

  “Possibly.” Luke swore under his breath. “Unless you’re all suspects in his disappearance.”

  * * *

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Sean growled.

  “Down, Detective Burke. Don’t say it hasn’t crossed your mind,” Luke said, bristling.

  Jessie looked from one to the other. Had she missed a turn in the conversation? “I-I’m confused. We just told you how Hal got away. He didn’t disappear.”

  “Tell her, smart-ass.” Sean pressed his lips together and crossed his arms over his chest.

  Luke pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, Jessie, I’m not saying I believe it…”

  “Why do I hear a big ‘but’ coming?” she asked indignantly.

  He sighed. “But others may see it differently.”

  “What ‘others’?”

  “The sheriff’s department detectives working the case. Unfortunately, I’m not a detective.” He shot what appeared to be an envious scowl at Sean.

  “And what, specifically, are the detectives going to see differently?”

  “Whether any or all of you had means, motive, and opportunity.”

  “You asshole,” Nate yelled, and stepped toward Luke.

  Sean’s hand shot out to stop him. “Cool it, man. That won’t help.”

  Jessie’s mind scrambled to make sense of it. She couldn’t fathom how the means, motive, and opportunity formula applied to Uncle Chad, Nate, and her. Trancelike, she stumbled to the couch and dropped onto it. “Are…are you…saying we might’ve done something to Hal because we were so mad he killed Mom?”

  “That would be the motive. Means could be all the guns around this place. And opportunity presented itself when you three had him here with no witnesses.” Luke switched his attention to Nate and Chad. “Or the two of you could’ve offed him when you caught up to him in San Ysidro.”

  “How dare you say we’re the bad guys?” Nate exclaimed as he lunged for the deputy.

  Sean grabbed him from behind and restrained him in a bear hug. “Getting arrested for assaulting a deputy is only going to make things worse.”

  Chad came up beside them. Standing toe to toe with Nate, he got in his face and hissed, “Shut the fuck up, son, before you say…something stupid.”

  Uncle and nephew glared at each other for several seconds.

  Then Nate groaned and hung his head. “Right. Gotcha.”

  Chad gave his head a jerk to signal Sean to release him.

  “You sure?” Sean asked.

  Chad studied Nate for a few more moments and then nodded. “Yeah. Let him go.”

  Sean did, but remained Nate’s shadow.

  Tension crackled through the room like static. Everyone’s eyes shifted from person to person, on guard for the next explosion of emotion.

  Jessie massaged her temples. When she lowered her hands, Sean was watching her. He was on her side, right? On their side? What if his sense of duty pulled him in the opposite direction? What if he turned against them? Against her? Better to know now than to have an unpleasant surprise.

  She swung her gaze from Sean to Luke and back. “Anything else we should know about what these ‘others’ might think?”

  The two law enforcement officers exchan
ged a knowing glance. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Sean moved to the couch and sat down next to her.

  “Promise not to shoot the messenger?” he said.

  Not appreciating the humor, she stared at him stonily.

  He drew a deep breath. “Thinking like a detective, I’d have at least one more theory.”

  “Can’t wait to hear this,” Nate sneered.

  “Just spit it out, Sean,” Jessie said.

  “Inheritance.”

  Chapter 20

  Inheritance?” Jess echoed.

  Sean nodded. He could see her trust in him fading like a brilliant sunset going to the blackest night.

  “Get real,” she huffed. “Money has been so tight my folks can’t afford to replace the Buick. And have you noticed the overdue maintenance on the property? Hal’s photography business has never been that successful. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re up to their armpits in debt.”

  “What about life insurance?” Luke asked.

  “I have no idea. They didn’t talk about stuff like that.”

  “Well, expect to be asked about ‘stuff like that.’ The detectives will want access to all their financial accounts,” Luke said. “Obviously, we’ll also watch their credit cards for any usage that might indicate Hal’s whereabouts.”

  “Why bother?” she said snidely. “A dead man can’t charge things.”

  “Jess, be reasonable,” Sean said.

  “Reasonable? Two friends just accused me, my brother, and my uncle of murdering my parents, and I’m the one being unreasonable?”

  “She’s right. This is bullshit,” Nate said, joining the fray.

  Chad frowned and puffed out his chest in support of his niece and nephew, but he remained silent. Maybe the old guy understood what he and Luke were trying to do.

  “Everyone calm down.” Luke patted the air with both hands. “We’re not accusing anyone of anything.”

  “Sure sounded like it to me.” Nate again.

  “Listen. We don’t believe you folks killed anyone. Right, Luke?” Sean shot a sideways glance at his friend, thankful when he received an emphatic nod in response. “But we won’t be running the investigation. Those people don’t know your family like we do, and they’ll be looking at every possible angle.”

  “Tell them we didn’t do it,” Jess urged.

  “Doesn’t work that way. They have to perform an objective investigation, keeping all options open.”

  “Depending on the detectives, they might ask my opinion, but it won’t be taken as gospel,” Luke added.

  “So be careful what you say and do because all of you will be under suspicion in the disappearance of both Molly and Hal,” Sean concluded.

  “Mommy, what does that means?”

  Five heads whipped around.

  Wide-eyed, Callie stood just outside the hallway.

  After a moment of stunned paralysis, Jess rushed to her daughter. She flashed everyone a go-to-hell glare as she swept Callie up into her arms and carried her to the kitchen.

  “That’s my cue to leave,” Luke said to the remaining group. With a quick pat, he confirmed the notebook and pencil were in his pocket and headed for the door but stopped. “None of you should be alone. Just in case Hal comes back.”

  “He’s not coming back,” Nate said adamantly.

  “How do you know?”

  “He wouldn’t dare.” Nate gulped. “He…he’d be a fool to show his face after what he confessed.”

  “Hal wouldn’t be planning to ‘show his face.’ He might sneak in to get his computer or checkbook or prescription meds. Or he could come looking for revenge or to silence you,” Luke said.

  Chad placed a hand firmly on Nate’s shoulder. “I’d appreciate if you’d stay with me tonight. And tomorrow, I got a job to pour a concrete patio in Lakeside. I could use an extra hand. The pay’s good. Interested?”

  Nate hesitated as if trying to determine if his uncle had an ulterior motive. “Yeah. Sure. I can do both.”

  “Keep your cell phones handy,” Luke advised. “I’m sure the detectives will be contacting you sooner rather than later. Stay in touch, Sean.” He glanced toward the kitchen, sighed heavily, and then left.

  “You gonna take them to Glenn’s place again?” Chad asked.

  “Yeah. Safest place I know.”

  “Agreed. Take care of my baby girl.” Chad exhaled like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. “C’mon, son. It’s been a helluva day. I gotta hit the sack.” He headed toward the door.

  Nate stared at the floor for a few moments before meeting Sean’s gaze. “Don’t let anything happen to my sister and niece.”

  “I won’t.”

  * * *

  After Jessie heard the front door open and close a second time, Sean strolled into the kitchen. She looked up from the kitchen table where she sat while Callie ate a bowl of Cheerios. She didn’t know what to say. Just when she’d thought things couldn’t get any worse, they had. Again. Would this nightmare never end? If her daughter hadn’t been sitting at her elbow, she would’ve fallen apart.

  But that couldn’t happen. Not now. Not ever. She had to be strong for Callie.

  Digging deep for strength, Jessie said, “I assume we’re staying at Glenn’s place.”

  “Yeah. Now you have two reasons not to be here.” Sean nodded at Callie. “She all right?”

  “Groggy. Confused that it’s nighttime.”

  “What about…the other?”

  She cocked her head in question.

  He nodded toward the living room.

  Ah, he meant Callie’s earlier question. “Distracted by cereal. It’ll resurface, I’m sure.”

  “Let me know the appropriate answer.” He wiggled his index finger for her to come closer.

  “Chew slowly, munchkin,” she reminded the little girl before getting up and joining Sean by the counter. “What?”

  “We should pack up as much as we can and take it with us.”

  “Like what?”

  “Hal’s computer. The guns. Lockbox. Checkbooks, financial records. Anything you wouldn’t want to…disappear,” he whispered.

  “You think Hal’s coming back?”

  He shrugged. “No, but why risk it?”

  “I guess you’re right. Will you sit with Callie while I grab everything?”

  “No, Mommy, he might fights me.” She scrambled out of the chair and grabbed her mother’s arm.

  Callie’s opinion of Sean had completely reversed after seeing him struggle with Hal. In the long run, maybe disliking Sean was better than getting attached to him. It would save her daughter from disappointment when he returned to LA. Despite that, she would never want Callie to be afraid of him.

  Jessie crouched down to eye level. “Mr. Sean’s…our friend. He won’t hurt you.”

  “Mr. Sean hurts Grandpa, so he might hurts me.”

  Her heart squeezed. Sometimes the right answers were so hard to think of, especially when the answer was so complicated. She couldn’t tell Callie that her grandpa was the one who had hurt her, had hurt a lot of children. Her daughter knew him as the loving character he played in his charade to hide the evil lurking beneath the surface. She prayed Callie would never know the truth about her grandfather, but certainly not when she was only four.

  Jessie gulped back tears. “Mr. Sean had to fight because Grandpa was doing something that could’ve hurt him or me or you. Mr. Sean was right. Grandpa was wrong.” She glanced over her shoulder and met Sean’s grateful gaze.

  “You means Grandpa’s gun.” Callie pondered a moment. “Okay. Mr. Sean can sits in that chair.” She pointed to the one on the opposite side of the table.

  “Good girl.” She helped Callie back into her seat and patted her head. “I’ll be quick,” she said to Sean.

  She scurried from room to room, gathering the items Sean had mentioned plus anything else that looked important. After accumulating everything on her bed, she dumped the contents of one of her moving boxes from C
hicago, which she’d never needed to unpack. She piled the stuff inside the box and hauled it to the kitchen.

  Sean stood at the sink, rinsing Callie’s bowl. He turned. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Callie, let’s put your shoes on and grab a jacket.”

  “But, Mommy, I’m ins my gown.”

  “I know, munchkin. We’re going to Mr. Sean’s for another sleepover.”

  She hated her traitorous body’s reaction to the simple statement.

  * * *

  Sean didn’t breathe easy until he ushered Jess and Callie into the apartment and locked the door. After setting the box on the floor, he flicked on the living room light.

  Callie was already asleep on Jess’s shoulder. “I’m going to put her to bed and get ready myself,” she said, heading toward the bedroom.

  He didn’t ask where Callie would be sleeping. Although he wanted Jess in his bed, in his arms, he knew it was a selfish wish. She needed to be with her daughter. Sean didn’t pretend to know anything about being a parent, but he damn well understood being protective. And most likely, protectiveness was a big part of parenting.

  His cop imagination had been filled with several scenarios involving Hal or Drake, so he released a long sigh of relief that nothing had gone wrong after leaving the Freeman house. He wandered into the kitchen and snagged a beer from the fridge. He might even need two to relax his taut nerves. Dropping into a kitchen chair, he downed an icy gulp.

  With his eyes closed, he let his head fall back. God, what a day. If he felt like a Mack truck had run over him, Jess must be feeling like she’d been laid out on Interstate 5, problem after problem slamming into her. She was so strong not to have crumbled under the constant barrage. Pride swelled in his chest.

  But it wasn’t over yet. Sean grimaced. He couldn’t even say with certainty that the worst was over.

  His cop hat settled into place. If he were working the case and did not know the players, he’d be looking long and hard at a possible double homicide. Committed by Jess, Nate, and Chad, or some combination thereof. With money as the motive. Obviously. It was almost always about the money. Even when there appeared not to be much.

  Of course, the evidence to make that theory blow up in the detectives’ faces was Hal’s child pornography. Surely Jess wouldn’t withhold that information if it meant someone being wrongfully convicted of murder. Right? Protecting Callie from the taint of her grandpa’s heinous activities was important, but if Jess was wrongfully convicted of murdering Hal and/or Molly, her daughter would end up in Drake’s hands. Sean just couldn’t see her accepting that outcome.