He nodded silently, pushing down a sudden rush of anger. Murderers like Harry Linklater always denied their crimes. Ryan had seen it all before. The monster who’d killed his sister, Gina, when she was only nine years of age had protested his innocence for almost twenty years. Despite overwhelming forensic evidence against him, Cody Jones had repeatedly tried to appeal his conviction, with no success. It was only twelve months ago that Jones had finally admitted his guilt in the hope of securing a successful parole hearing. Men like this were liars, manipulators and tricksters. And Harry Linklater was no different.
Ryan’s distaste must have shown on his face, giving his feelings away.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” she said, a note of resignation in her voice. “You think my father’s guilty, just like the rest of this town does.”
Ryan recalled being drafted from Lawton two years earlier to assist with the forensic sweep of the area where Molly had been found dead. He had arrived before the body was moved and it was a sight that would haunt him forever. Harry had attempted to burn Molly’s remains to destroy the evidence, but it wasn’t quite enough to cover his tracks.
“It doesn’t much matter what I think,” he replied, reaching for a first aid box in the glove compartment. “Because a jury found your father guilty and he’s now serving his time. I’m not interested in protecting your father, Miss. Linklater. I’m interested in protecting you. So let’s stick to the facts of the matter, okay?”
He took a wad of tissue from the first aid box and held it to her forehead, where a small cut was bleeding.
“The fact of the matter is that this man wants me dead,” she said, taking the tissue from his hand and applying her own pressure instead. “Because he wants to hide the truth about Molly’s death. It’s proof that my dad is innocent.”
Ryan didn’t buy this one bit. Proof involved actual evidence—evidence like traces of Molly’s blood on the seats of Harry’s car and his total lack of verifiable alibi. Harry was guilty. Everyone but Kitty knew it.
She stared him down. “I don’t expect you to believe me, but I know I’m onto something, and when I finally prove that my father was wrongfully imprisoned, I’ll happily accept an apology from you, Chief Deputy Lawrence.”
With the blood drying on her face and her eyes blazing, she had the appearance of a soldier straight from the battlefield. And he was quietly impressed by her resolve. But he had no desire to indulge her fantasies of her father’s victimhood. There was only one victim in this scenario and she was buried in Bethesda town cemetery.
“I can promise you that I’ll thoroughly investigate this attack and do all I can to bring the perpetrator to justice,” he said, starting up the truck. “So why don’t we drive on down to your house, where I can take a full statement from you. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please call me Ryan. May I call you Kitty?”
She shrugged, which he took to be an affirmative answer. Dark clouds had been gathering in the sky for hours and he heard the first distant rumble of thunder. There seemed to be electricity in the air, sparking an atmosphere inside the truck, building to an inevitable storm.
* * *
Kitty sat in the kitchen, checking her statement, while the new deputy thoroughly scanned the house and yard for any clues regarding the intruder’s identity. He walked into the kitchen with a solemn expression. The peals of thunder had intensified and a quick, sharp flash occasionally lit up the room.
“Well, at least this storm should clear the air,” he said, sitting down at the table. “Are you happy with the statement?”
She nodded while sliding it over to him.
“Do you live alone?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I noticed that you have a separate apartment here. I thought you might have a tenant, perhaps.”
“I did,” she said. “But he decided to leave after some of the townsfolk told him he shouldn’t be associating with me.” She picked at a worn spot on the table with her fingernail. “I’m a social outcast, you see. Frank Price at the hardware store even started a petition to have me banned from Main Street.”
“While I don’t approve of that kind of petition, the town has every right to object to your antics.”
“My antics?” she questioned, folding her arms. “And just what is that supposed to mean?”
His green eyes rested on her face for a long time, impossible to read. His red hair and freckled skin gave him a boyish appearance, but those eyes were definitely grown-up and sensible.
“Nobody wants to believe there could be a murderer in their family,” he said. “And I understand what you must be going through—”
She put up her hand to cut him off. “Hold on a minute. How could you possibly understand what I’m going through?”
“My sister was murdered by a stranger when she was only nine years old,” he said, his eye contact unwavering. “Being that close to such a brutal crime is tough. It never leaves you.”
She bowed her head, a sour taste spreading in her mouth.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m really sorry.”
“The man who killed my sister is in prison serving a life sentence, so at least we got to see justice done.”
Despite his efforts to sound fair and avoid condemning her, Kitty knew that, just like the rest of the townsfolk, he probably viewed her actions as pointless and misguided, the antics of a loyal daughter, brainwashed to trust her father wholeheartedly.
“It’s good that you got to see justice done,” she said, deciding to be bold. “But justice hasn’t been served for Molly. Her killer is still out there.”
She noticed the flare of his nostrils, the clench of his jaw, and she knew that she had correctly identified him as a disapprover. Ryan moistened his lips as a flash of lightning streaked across the sky behind him, followed by the low rumble a few seconds later.
He leaned over the table on his forearms, fingers intertwined. “Your continued investigation into a crime that’s already been solved is rubbing people the wrong way. Someone might have gotten so riled up that he’s looking to punish you for it.”
She was incredulous. “Are you saying it’s my fault someone tried to kill me?”
“Absolutely not. You have the right to ask questions and print newspaper articles and challenge the jury’s decision to convict. You have the right to do all of those things without fear of repercussions, but I’m just asking you to consider whether it’s in your interest to continue pushing your opinion on people.” He pulled a small twig from her hair. “I really don’t want to see you get seriously hurt.”
She picked up her empty coffee mug and walked to the sink to rinse it out.
“I have to take that risk,” she said, her back to him. “I don’t expect you to understand and I don’t even expect you to care, but I know that my father didn’t kill Molly. He gave her a ride to a party at the Suttons’ farm after she’d fallen at the side of the road and cut her knees. That was why her blood was in his car. He left her alive and well at the bottom of the lane that leads to the farmhouse.”
She watched Ryan’s reflection in the kitchen window, rubbing his neck and giving an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
“I guess it sounds crazy to you,” she continued. “You see my dad as just another ex-con who’ll say anything to pass the blame on to someone else. Plus, I’m guessing you know that he served time in prison for armed robbery when he was eighteen.”
Ryan nodded.
“He changed his ways a long time ago. He’s not a bad person.”
“From what I understand, he tied up two people at a post office and threatened them with a shotgun before robbing the place. Is that correct?”
Kitty ran a hand through her hair, gathering the strands in her fist and gripping them tight in frustration. “That was thirty-five years a
go. Don’t you think people can change?”
Ryan scraped his chair on the linoleum as he stood. “Like I already said, I’m more concerned about you than your father. I don’t like the thought of you being here all alone.” He shifted on his feet, fingering the edges of his hat. “So I might have a potential solution.”
She turned around and leaned against the sink. “You do?”
“I’ve been commuting eighty miles from Lawton and it’s pretty tiring, so I’d rather live closer to the station. I’ve been looking for a room to rent.”
She smiled wryly as she realized what he was getting at. “You want to rent the apartment?”
“It would mean I’m only ten minutes from work, and I can be here on hand in case your attacker comes back.”
She said nothing for a while, listening to the clatter of raindrops on the deck outside. This man had admitted that he thought her father guilty. Could she stand to share living space with someone who so openly doubted her father’s innocence? All she wanted was for one person to believe her, just one single individual to support her investigation. When Ryan had rushed to her aid, she had briefly hoped he might be that person, but now those hopes were dashed.
“You should know that I use this house to coordinate the campaign to free my father,” she said. “So if you’re likely to be offended by that, you should look for another place.”
“I don’t share your opinion,” he said calmly. “But I’m not offended by it.”
She wanted to shout and scream, to tell him that her opinion was correct. But doing so would be a pointless waste of energy.
“Some of the townsfolk might turn on you,” she added. “Lodging here could seriously damage your reputation.”
“My reputation can take the hit,” he said. “Please don’t worry about me, Kitty. You’re the main concern here.”
She had to make a decision either way. She would feel safer with someone else here. And the electricity bill was overdue. “When would you like to move in?”
“Tomorrow afternoon?”
She swallowed her doubts and took the plunge. “Okay. I’ll get the place ready for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Following him to the front door, she said, “The only thing missing from the apartment is a kitchen, so you’ll have to share mine. Maybe we could decide on a roster so we won’t get in each other’s way.”
“I won’t get in your way. You won’t even know I’m here.”
Somehow, she doubted that very much.
“Lock all the windows and doors when I’m gone,” he said. “And if the intruder returns, call me immediately.” He handed her a card containing his contact details. “Even if it’s the middle of the night.”
She took the card, rubbing her finger over the embossed lettering of Chief Deputy Ryan Lawrence, and watched him sprint through the rain to his truck. The air temperature had plummeted with the storm and she shivered, feeling the sinister presence of her masked attacker all around her.
The intruder would return. Of that she was sure. The only question was when.
TWO
“You’re doing what?” Deputy Shane Harmon slapped his thigh while doubling over with laughter. “You’re renting an apartment at the Linklater house? You sure must be a glutton for punishment. Some people say that she’s bad news.”
Ryan bristled at the criticism of Kitty. She might be mistakenly loyal to her father, but she was a good and decent person underneath it all. After a lot of reflection, he’d concluded that her heart was in the right place. He only wished that her head would overrule her strong emotions.
“Come on now, Shane, she’s not that bad,” Ryan said. “She’s had a rough couple of years, what with all the publicity about her father’s crime, and now she’s convinced that somebody is trying to kill her.”
“Kill her?” Shane questioned with a dubious frown. “She’s not exactly Bethesda’s favorite person, but I don’t think anybody would want her dead.”
“Well, someone certainly tried to hurt her yesterday. I chased him to a boat on the lake, which I’d like you to try to trace.”
“There are a lot of boats that use the lake, so it’ll be tough to locate the owner,” Shane said. “Does Kitty have any idea who it might be?”
“No, but she reckons the attack is linked to her investigation into the Molly Thomas murder.”
Shane pinched his lips together in disgust. “The Molly Thomas murder is solved. Can’t we just let that little girl rest in peace, so her family can try to move on?”
“You won’t hear any argument from me on that,” Ryan said, instantly conjuring up an image of his parents, and how hard the loss of Gina had been on them. If anyone had been around, constantly talking about the trial, trying to cast doubt on the conviction, it would have destroyed their tattered peace of mind. “But Kitty’s got it in her head that the real killer is trying to stop her from getting to the truth.”
“The only truth is that Kitty’s made enemies around here, asking all her intrusive questions and publishing newspaper articles criticizing our police work. If somebody is targeting her, she’s only got herself to blame. She needs to stop what she’s doing or else she might come to real harm.”
“That’s not fair,” Ryan stated. “She’s not doing anything illegal and she has the right to live in peace, just like everyone else. We don’t have to agree with her, but it’s our sworn duty to protect her.”
“Yes, sir.” Shane appeared contrite. “I guess I went too far there. It’s a touchy subject, but you’re right that she shouldn’t be afraid to speak her mind. But she’s not the only outspoken one in this town. I just hope you know what you’re doing by renting her apartment.” He nodded to the street, where some residents were making their way to the station, faces fixed with angry expressions. “Because when these folk hear that you’re rooming with Kitty, they won’t be happy.”
Before he could reply, the door opened and Frank Price walked in with his grandson, Buzz.
Frank was the owner of the hardware store and Buzz was just eighteen, recently graduated from high school and now working for his granddad. Close behind the two men were Carla Torlioni and her husband, Joe, from the café. And all were carrying copies of the Comanche Times.
Frank slapped the newspaper on the counter. “We need you to put a stop to Kitty Linklater.”
Ryan read the headline at the top of the page the paper was opened to: “Bethesda Man Challenges His Murder Conviction.” He scanned the story below, learning that Kitty had tracked down a man who could corroborate her father’s alibi on the night in question. Apparently, Molly’s time of death had been approximately 11:00 p.m., whereas a new witness placed Harry in the Starlight Bar from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. From the looks of the man’s photo, visible in the corner of the article, he was a heavy drinker and possibly a transient, not exactly a model witness.
“That poor Thomas family has been through quite enough,” Carla said. “It’s not right.”
There were murmurs of agreement from all present in the station, even from Shane. Ryan could understand why. If somebody had been fighting to undermine the conviction of Cody Jones, he would’ve fought against it with the same level of resentment. What Kitty was doing was perhaps morally wrong.
But it wasn’t illegal. And it was his job to uphold only the law.
“I’m afraid there’s nothing that can be done about Kitty’s investigation,” Ryan said. “She’s perfectly entitled to make these claims, whether we like it or not.”
“So you’re saying we just have to put up with it?” Carla said.
“Why don’t you complain to the newspaper people?” he suggested. “They’re the ones printing the articles.”
“We’ve already done that,” Frank said. “But we want someone with official authority to get involved. You’re meant to keep order around here,
so do something.”
“And just what would you suggest I do?” Ryan asked, a little perplexed. “Arrest her? For what?”
“Can’t you warn her to stop stirring up trouble?” Frank asked. “Why can’t Kitty move away and leave us in peace? It’d be nice to see the entire Linklater family gone from these parts.”
“This is Kitty’s town, too, and I don’t think she has any intention of going anywhere.” Ryan wondered if he should let the townsfolk know of his new living arrangements, but decided that now was not a good time. “I hope nobody thinks they can force Kitty out of her family home. She was attacked by a masked man yesterday, and I’m very concerned for her safety. If anyone knows anything about this attack, I’d appreciate you sharing that information.”
The station fell quiet.
Carla was the first to break the silence. She cleared her throat importantly and adjusted the collar on her starched white blouse.
“I’m sorry that Kitty’s been attacked, I really am, but she’s got to take some responsibility for her actions. Plenty of people don’t take kindly to her meddling.”
Joe was clearly more sympathetic than his wife. “Come on, honey, we don’t wish harm on her, do we?” He turned to Ryan as Carla gave her husband a stony glare. “Is Kitty okay?”
“She’s fine,” he replied. “But she’s pretty shaken up. Whatever Kitty’s father has done, she doesn’t deserve to fear for her life, so if any of you hear about who might be responsible for the attack yesterday, I’d like you to come and talk with me in confidence. We can’t allow residents to take the law into their own hands.” He caught Buzz’s eye. “Isn’t that right, young man?”
“Yes, sir,” Buzz said compliantly.
With a head of fair curls and baby blue eyes, Buzz possessed a face more suited to a boy band heartthrob than a hardware store clerk. But he was clearly cowed by his grandfather and his body language was uneasy.
“I hear that Sheriff Wilkins is retiring soon,” Frank said to Ryan. “And I’ve been told that you’re a hot contender for the job. But if you don’t get Kitty under control then your chances of support from this town don’t look good.”
Innocent Target Page 2