Reading Between the Crimes

by Kate Young

  “Yeah, sorry.” I massaged the area between my brows. “That makes sense.”

  “I’m going to try to convince your mother and your Gran to go on a cruise. The change of scenery will be good for both of them.” He sipped the amber liquid. “I’m handing off the patients I can to other doctors and keeping my time away from home limited to hourly appointments.”

  “That’s good. I heard a doctor in your practice evaluated Harper.”

  He nodded. “At the request of the lead detective.”

  With this new information, I wondered if Mother had confided in Harper a little as well. And with Charles befriending LJ and Harper, I wondered how much they were privy to about whatever he held over my family.

  “So, Charles Hammond. Who is he to Mother and Calvin? One minute Mother was lunching with him and claiming the man understood her, and the next, Calvin was ready to rip his head clean off.”

  Daddy gave me a blank look. “I’m not sure he’s anything to them. But I think he’s asking questions around town under false pretenses. And he knows some things about your mother’s past. How much, I’m not sure of, but anything at all is enough to send them on a downward spiral.”

  I nodded, thinking over what he’d said. It made sense. Maybe Charles had come across someone from wherever they lived before, and decided to come to Sweet Mountain to collect a payday. Now he sought something from me. I could use that. And I planned on digging into all angles, both for Mother and Harper. One thing I knew for sure: I did not want my mother anywhere near any of this while the dirt flew. Calvin once told me that digging into cases such as these, those that were buried deep, shined a great big spotlight on the one holding the shovel. Now, that would be me.

  “Thank you for talking to me. I think you’re right about Mother. She can have spa treatments and be waited on while soaking up some vitamin D. And by the time she returns, the police should have this case closed. And we’ll find some way to get rid of Charles.” I leaned back into the plush leather and then stood.

  “Honey, how are you?” Daddy glanced up at me, his face flushed. “I should have asked about you and the assault case before dredging up the past.”

  I swatted the air and grabbed my bag. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” I met his eyes directly, and for the first time in my life, I felt like the strongest person in the room.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go on the trip with them? You’ve gone through an ordeal yourself. And it might give you and your mother time to talk.”

  “I appreciate the offer, and under different circumstances I would take you up on it. But not now.” I shook my head. “I can’t go with them. I have too much going on here.”

  “Just think about it. Calvin said your attacker still hasn’t gained consciousness. And that poses a serious and dangerous question.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, without questioning the man, we have no idea what his motives were.”

  I gave my father a small, sad smile. “I know. We’re digging into our past cases just in case. I’m also not under the misconception that I’m safe now that he’s been apprehended. This is the life I’ve chosen. I’m more than capable of dealing with the backlash from my choices. I’m prepared.”

  “It’s amazing to see who you’ve become. You are maturing before my very eyes.”

  I almost cried when I spied respect in his gaze. “Daddy, I’ve got to go.” He rose and embraced me. “Thank you,” I said. I didn’t have to say for what. My intelligent father would know how much his words meant to me.

  “Anytime, Lyla bug. You stay safe.”

  I kissed him on the cheek. “Promise.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Mrs. Ross stood out on the front porch with me. “I saw your car over at your parents’ place. How’s your mother today?”

  I smiled. “She’s doing just fine. Why do you ask?”

  Mrs. Ross glanced around, looking uncomfortable. “Oh, you know, just understanding how all these rumors must be taking a toll on her.” She lifted her gaze to meet my own. Her amber eyes filled with sincerity as she said, “Your mother is the strongest woman I know. You are blessed.”

  “Thank you. I believe I am too.” I cast a glance backward. “Mrs. Ross, if you need to tell me something, you can trust me. I will forever protect my mother.”

  Mrs. Ross let out a nervous laugh. “Whatever could you mean, dear?” She shook her brown curly head. “I’m sure you’re in a hurry, and you’re here to find out about the company who did some work for me. They did a good job for me. I certainly would recommend them.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear. We need some work done at the office and we’re looking for a reputable company with time in their schedule to squeeze us in soon. Um, do you recall the technician who came out?” She wouldn’t check with Calvin about my visit, but if she did, he’d probably think she got the dates mixed up since he’d already had an electrician out. I’d have to make a point to tell him about my visit. He wasn’t returning my calls, and I had no idea if he had any interest in working on this case any longer.

  She’d stared at me oddly. “I don’t know if I recall the young man’s name.”

  “That’s okay if you can’t remember. It just always makes me feel better to get a reference from someone as reputable as you are before I hire someone. I mean, I’m a woman who sometimes has to mind the office alone, and you know how dangerous it can be. Letting a strange man into your office when you’re the only one there …” I made a pained face. “Perhaps I’m being a little ridiculous.”

  “No.” Mrs. Ross placed a hand on my shoulder. “You can’t be too careful. I completely understand. Let me go see if I can find that paperwork.” She left the door open while she rummaged through the drawer of the entryway table. A car slowly rolled past the house, the black sedan with deeply tinted windows that I’d seen several times before my attack.

  “Here it is.” Mrs. Ross came back out onto the porch. “Who’s that?”

  “I have no idea.” My pulse rate kicked up, and I pulled my phone from my bag. I held it up and began snapping off pics.

  She glanced at the street just as the car drove away. “I’ll make a note to bring up that black car at our neighborhood watch meeting.” She gripped my forearm with her bony hand. “Hon, promise me you’ll be careful. Things are beginning to unravel around here.”

  Wasn’t that the truth. “Yes, ma’am. I will.” We locked gazes, and it was almost as if she was about to confide something to me when she seemed to catch herself. “Here you go.” Mrs. Ross handed over the work order. I flipped to the last page, where the tech had signed the order. Julio Gonzalez. I repressed a sigh.

  After I bid Mrs. Ross a farewell, I took a look at my phone. I’d managed to make out GMP58 on the license plate before the car turned around the bend.

  As I hightailed it over to the courthouse, I called Rosa.

  “Hey, Lyla.” She answered on the second ring.

  “Hey, I need a quick favor.” I explained about the car following me and how I’d managed to get a partial plate number.

  “Has the person made physical contact with you? Do you think it might be related to your earlier attack?” My friend Rosa had vacated her desk job at the PD, and Sergeant Landry had resumed the position.

  “No contact. I think whoever is doing this is just trying to scare me. But I’m about sick and tired of people thinking they have the right to intimidate me, with no repercussions.”

  “Damn straight. I’ll run the partial and give you a call back with the most likely candidates.”

  “Thanks! You’re the best.”

  “What are friends for?”

  I made another call as I parked the car. I spoke to the appropriate person at Hewitt Electric, politely asked my question, and was put on hold. I placed my earbuds in as I locked my car and headed across the parking lot. When I left Mrs. Ross’s house, a thought occurred that perhaps the technician might not sign his real na
me if he was attempting to cover his tracks. LJ would be intelligent enough to do something like that.

  “Miss Moody?”

  “I’m still here.” I held my hand up to the car yielding to allow me to cross the street.

  “Thank you for holding. Yes, Julio Gonzalez is indeed on the work order, but two technicians were sent out on the job. Julio Gonzalez and LJ Richardson.” Bingo! I wanted to do a little happy dance. That’s reasonable doubt. She seemed to pause. “Wasn’t it LJ’s father who was murdered on that same night?”

  “Yes. Yes, it was. Did the police contact your offices to inquire?”

  “No. Not to my knowledge.”

  I rushed up the front stone steps. “And what was your name again?”

  “Farrah Rhodes.”

  “Thank you, Farrah. You’ve been most helpful.”

  After I went through the metal detectors, said hi to one of Calvin’s retired officer buddies checking through my bag, my phone rang again. When I saw it was Rosa, I answered and blurted without preamble, “Whatcha got for me?”

  “You’re never going to believe this. From the partial I managed to narrow down to four vehicles in the area that matches the description you gave me. And out of those four, only one name stands out. “The car registered to Leonard Richardson.”

  I continued down the hall toward the courtroom. “My money is on LJ because we know Leonard’s not driving it.”

  “Nope.”

  “Thanks, Rosa. I gotta go. I’m at the arraignment.” I had my hand on door.

  “Hey, Lyla. Be careful.”

  “Always.”

  I put my phone on silent, slid it into my bag and slipped between the heavy double doors of the courtroom. Reporters, friends, and relatives of people awaiting arraignment filled the seats. As quietly as I could manage, I moved down the aisle near the wall past Detective Battle and Quinn. I gave a single head nod and kept moving, trying not to draw too much attention to myself while the judge ruled on another case.

  I froze at the second bench behind the defense table where Mr. Jenkins and Harper would soon be sitting. On the other side of the aisle, the entire Richardson family sat, including LJ, who turned to make direct eye contact with me. The other family members noticed and followed. Although I knew LJ couldn’t have known that I made the phone call or had just spoken with the scheduler at his place of employment, still his gaze was cold and cruel.

  I’ve got your number buddy. I would not be the first to look away. I held LJ’s gaze as traveled down the aisle. Then even as the entire family turned to give me a murderous glare, including the elderly Felix at the end of the bench in his wheelchair. What had I ever done to that family? Other than stand up for Harper. I supposed from their perspective, protecting the murdering who stole their beloved patriarch was sufficient.

  Then as I slid onto the bench next to Melanie, and Amelia, I noticed something. The rest of the family wasn’t glaring at me; they were staring behind me. I could tell by their eye movement.

  I glanced back over my shoulder to see Charles Hammond taking a seat two rows behind me. My blood began to boil, but I force it to a simmer. Charles nodded to the family, who looked like they might want to murder him next. LJ showed his colors by sitting with the family.

  Charles sighed and glanced down at his hands.

  The court clerk called several court cases while we waited. A tap on my shoulder caught my attention, and I turned to see Mr. Jenkins had kneeled beside the end of the bench. “Miss Moody.”

  “Oh, Mr. Jenkins.” I scooted to the end of the bench. “I have some news. I just spoke to Hewitt Electric and,” I lowered my voice to barely above a whisper, “LJ had been on the street the night of the murder. And even more damning, he been just next door. In the backyard where he could have easily crossed and entered the house through the construction site. The door was wide open when I got there. The library connects to the outdoor area.”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “You have confirmation of that fact? From his employer?”

  I nodded.

  “That’s good. I’ll need you to forward whatever you have over to me.”

  ‘Yes, sir.” I said with a pleased nod. “This is good, right?”

  “Yes. It could be.” His face didn’t show the enthusiasm I’d hoped for. “Um, unfortunately, I have some unwelcome news to share with you.” He scratched his jawline.

  I did not care for the sound of that.

  “We are going to be terminating the agreement with Cousins Investigative Services.”

  “What?” My tone came out in a hoarse whisper.

  “We’ve appreciated all that you’ve done and especially with this new information, but unfortunately, Mrs. Richardson’s situation has changed, and we’ve decided to go a different route.”

  “If this is about the money?”

  He held up a hand. “No, it’s nothing like that. But it’s all I’m at liberty to share with you. I informed Mr. Cousins an hour ago.”

  And Calvin had not called me.

  The court clerk called Harper’s name, and Mr. Jenkins rose to take his place at the front while I sat there stunned.

  “What happened?” Mel mouthed and scooted closer with Amelia right beside her.

  “I got fired,” I whispered, and they both gaped. I shrugged.

  Mr. Jenkins remained standing as Harper came in through the little door to the right located at the front of the courtroom. She came out in orange, shackled and chained.

  My hand went to my heart. Mel let out a slight gasp, and Amelia’s hands went to her lips. Harper’s hair looked unwashed and stringy. And yes, from this advantage point, I could see how Mr. Jenkins would attempt an insanity plea. The woman did not even remotely look like our friend. Her eyes were vacant as Mr. Jenkins helped her into the appropriate place.

  Amelia took Mel’s hand, and Mel took mine as we listened to the judge read the charge. When the older white-haired judge asked Harper how she pleads to the charge of murder, she just stood there. Mr. Jenkins leaned over and whispered something to her.

  “Not guilty.” Harper’s weak voice barely made to us, and when the judge bellowed, “Speak up, please,” she jumped.

  “Not guilty,” Harper said, just slightly louder than before.

  The three of us had to choke back tears as we listened to the two lawyers argue for bail. And when the judge finally found in favor of the defense, I could have sobbed with relief. He pointed to Mr. Jenkins and Harper. “The defendant will be on house arrest until the trial. She’ll wear an ankle bracelet and not be allowed to leave her residence except for doctor appointments or other necessary travel.”

  The DA spoke up. “Judge, the Richardson family have been made aware that according to Leonard Richardson’s will, Mrs. Richardson is disinherited if she is involved in any criminal proceedings. That being the case, the defendant doesn’t have a place of residence and therefore cannot be released on house arrest.”

  Harper didn’t move. Didn’t react. Mel, Amelia, and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.

  “Yes, we’re aware of the clause stipulated in the will, and Mrs. Richardson will have other lodgings in Sweet Mountain.” Mr. Jenkins turned and glanced to the back of the courtroom. Everyone else did too. The deputy opened the double doors, and in walked my mother, dressed in her power woman suit, her hair perfectly set, and her chin held high. She moved through the courtroom as if she owned the place. She inclined her head to the judge who had dined at our home on numerous occasions. “Mrs. Moody and her husband are prominent members of the community and have generously opened their home to this innocent woman.”

  Gasps went up in the courtroom, and I accidentally squeezed Mel’s hand a little too tightly, and she squeaked. “Sorry. Sorry.” I released her hand.

  “What in the world?” Amelia whispered around Mel.

  “I haven’t a clue.” She terminated my employment. I watched my mother take her place on the row next to Mr. Jenkins.

  The judge cleared his throat a
nd began speaking, but I couldn’t hear anything. My heart hammered in my ears so loudly, I nearly fainted. This new development left no doubt to the town, the press, or the DA regarding Mother’s involvement. She just shined a massive spotlight on herself. How had she gone from a broken woman to this in a matter of hours? Why hadn’t my father told me they planned on stepping in to help Harper?

  The gavel hit the bench, and I came back to the present, feeling numb and, for some reason, betrayed. I didn’t mind if my family reached out to help Harper. That was precisely what I was doing. But to shut me out as they did hurt. Why did they always want me on the outside?

  My mother rose and conferred with Mr. Jenkins; their heads were close together. She never even turned to acknowledge me. When they concluded whatever they were discussing, she walked right out of the courtroom, dragging my wounded heart behind her.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A hand on my shoulder pulled me out of the abyss. I glanced around to see I sat alone on the bench. Melanie and Amelia had left, and I hadn’t even noticed. I supposed Harper’s case was the last one before the lunch break. I lifted my head and Charles’s brown eyes latched on to mine. His brows pinched together. “Hey. You all right?”

  I gave the obligatory answer with a nod, and for some odd reason, I wondered why we always felt as if we had to say yes when asked the question. And right now, I was anything but all right. “No, Charles. I’m not all right. I have no idea what just happened.”

  “I’m going to help you clear things up. Okay? Come on. There’ll be press outside the courthouse if we don’t hurry.”

  I rose, and I followed him toward the back of the courtroom, then stopped in my tracks. I didn’t know this guy from Adam. I had no idea if he was the good guy or someone trying to blackmail my family, as my father had told me. My uncle indeed despised and questioned his motives.

  Charles cast a glance over his shoulder and realized I’d stopped following. He backtracked the few steps to reach me. “We have to go.”