Dead Women Tell No Lies (40 page)

“Speculation doesn’t hold up in a court.”

“Dahlia told you about her fear of heights. She was sharing with her brother, letting you into small family secrets. You talked to her a lot and not just at the Audi. At first the evidence pointed to A.J., but now, I realize the scare tactics used on Rose fit your profile, your style.”

“My profile shows off my best features.” He smirked.

“To you, the fake hand with blue nail polish was humorous while the ploys were bizarre.”

“Luke, give it up. If you had evidence, you wouldn’t waste time taunting me with your fantasies.”

“I’ve found proof of lies, Bud. My men interviewed the employees of the law firm next to the garage. They rent the first five spaces in the parking garage. None of them drove a truck to work or parked one inside the garage the day Shauna was attacked. Her story about the attacker hiding between the pickups wasn’t true.”

“She was confused and stressed. Give her a break.”

“The other problem was her story about the attack. A witness stepped forward who saw Shauna leave the bank and jump into your car the night of the dinner party at your parents. I wasn’t able to interview him until today. Funny thing, he didn’t see anyone attempt to assault her.”

“Obviously the man confused his dates or needs glasses.”

“He insisted he had the right day. He told me he always picked up his daughter from dance class on Tuesday at the same time and that’s the only day he uses the garage. His vision is perfect. He’s also a bank customer and recognized Shauna.”

“A good lawyer will rip his tale to pieces.”

“He won’t. Shauna was never attacked. She lied for you, to mislead us. That’s why she didn’t want to speak or visit with anyone, not even her own family. Her conscience bothered her. Did you threaten not to marry her if she didn’t help you? Did you cause her bruises?”

“Lennox, you’re way off. I love Shauna. I’d never call off the wedding.”

“You panicked when Frank followed you. You were desperate to shake suspicion. I’ll also remind you filing a false police report is a crime Shauna won’t be able to hide from.”

Buddy’s face tightened. “You’d better leave, or I’ll file a report of police harassment.”

“I can talk to Shauna next.”

A vein above his eyebrow bulged as his face reddened. “You always were the hard ass, Luke. I’m not going to be a virtual notch on your daddy complex belt.”

“I wanted to believe in you, and you did show one glimmer of hope.”

Buddy’s features slid into curiosity. “I helped an old lady cross the street?”

“You got Frank to follow you out of the city when you realized he was tailing you. You were worried the text wasn’t enough. When you arrived at The Ledges, you hid your car but let Frank follow you on the trail. You stayed ahead of him, and then double backed to home when he found Dean and Rose. It would have been all over for her if Frank hadn’t interrupted Dean first. You saved Rose.” Luke debated bringing up his next topic.

“I want you out of here, now.” Buddy retreated behind the desk.

“I’ve one more question. You lived in the White Mountains before moving to Ledgeview. Did Dean drive your mother or you up the Mount Washington Motor Road?”

“Did the police find a woman murdered at the Mountain’s Weather Station, too? You want to connect Dean and me to every murder and every day of bad weather?”

“Do you remember?”

Buddy angled his head at the exit.

Luke held out the warrant. “Buddy Drown, I’m serving you with a search warrant for the Drown Reality, your apartment, electronic devices and car. One has already been served to Tia for the house, contents and vehicles.”

Buddy ripped the paper from his hand. “I loved you like a brother,” he shouted.

“My brother wouldn’t help kill people.” As soon as Luke walked out, his men ran inside. He was out of the investigation by the Chief’s order, who told him he was too close to the case, and they needed to “protect against bias.” Conroy would handle Bud now.

Luke hesitated by his car at the curb. All the years with his friend had come to an end today. The door opened, and a couple of uniforms rushed Buddy to a nearby patrol car.

“Hey.” Detective Conroy walked up to him and gave him a mocking smile. The fragrance of his last taco meal hung around him. “Are you finding it hard to watch pretty boy go to the station for questioning?”

“As long as you read him his rights when we finish building our case, I’m fine.” Luke pivoted around to leave.

“I’ve one more thing.” Conroy’s mouth twisted several times as though he bit into something sour.

Luke braced for a hit. “I’ve bad taste in friends?”

“Good job. So far.” Conroy turned on his heel.

“Conroy,” Luke waited for the detective to pause before adding, “you too.”

Conroy walked away into the real estate office.

“Luke!”

He shielded his eyes against the sun and glanced toward the end of the block. Rose hurried toward him.

She halted on the sidewalk a few feet from him. She wet her lips and forced a smile. Both her hands were stuffed inside her open parka’s pockets. Her shoulders were tensed. “I hope you don’t mind me calling you by your first name now that the case is over. I was going to the station but found you on the street like a common beat cop. What’s up?”

“I was about to drive to your apartment. Sorry, I haven’t we haven’t had time to speak privately. How are you?” He fought the urge to touch her, reassure himself all was okay.

“I’m fine.” She shrugged and cleared her throat. “I understand A.J. will make bail although he’s charged with other crimes related to his internet business.”

“He’ll be out today.”

She nodded. “With today’s newspaper with the dramatic headline, The Killer Hidden among Us, I’m sure his ex internet business will make him a hot topic in Ledgeview.”

“The Ledgeview News has sold a lot of papers thanks to Dean Drown.”

“How could Dean have fooled us? He planned to run for mayor. People believed in him.”

“He ingratiated himself into the world with good acts like the tip line, supporting the clothing drives for the poor and his desire to do good by running for office. No one wanted to scratch beneath his shiny surface.”

“I wish Dahlia’s death was a dream.” She heaved a sigh.

“Buddy’s answering questions at the station. They’ll search for emails to and from Dahlia. Don’t worry. They’ll prove he was Dean’s co-conspirator for your sister’s murder.”

“Do
you
think he helped Dean kill Dahlia?”

“Bud and Dean met your sister when she arrived in Ledgeview, searching for her father.
They
took advantage of her.”

“Dean and Buddy, I’d like to forget I ever met them.” She glanced down and twisted the end of her jacket. “I wished I’d never found my father if he’s Dean Drown.”

Luke took her hand. “Dean was a liar. Don’t believe him.”

“I hope you’re right.” She stepped away, breaking contact with him and kept a distance between them. “I was going to speak to Tia about giving me a personal item of Dean’s for a DNA test.”

Her reaction to his touch confused and irked him, but he didn’t want to upset her more by quizzing her about her actions. She had bigger problems. “Don’t worry, a lawyer can help you.”

“I just want Dahlia’s pain to end and to understand Buddy’s role.” She blinked several times before continuing.

“He was raised in violence with his father and then his stepfather. Dean loved power and control, and he enjoyed the high and false sense of both when he killed. I can profile both Drowns for you, but you can figure out the rest.”

She waved a hand. “I’ve heard enough. I’m headed home to Vermont today.”

“You’re leaving?” He felt a punch to his gut. He hadn’t counted on her quick exit.

“It’s time. I want to thank you.”

“Rose, I—”

“You were just doing your job.” She smiled briefly. “I understand, Luke. Don’t sweat it. You were brave out there on the bridge. I’ll never forget you saved my life.”

“You’ve come a long way from the woman who called the police over a plastic hand. Dahlia would be proud of you. I’m proud of you too.” He inched closer, driven by the urge to say something. He wasn’t sure what except he didn’t want her to go.

His phone rang and the number popped up. “It’s Frank. Excuse me for a moment.”

“Luke, my boy,” Frank’s voice boomed into his ear. “I was released today from the hospital, and now that the case is closed, I wanted to invite you over for a war game.”

“Are you sure you’re up for games already?”

“I can’t wait to face your men.”

“Good. I read your interview in yesterday’s paper.”

Frank chuckled. “People always think seniors are too old to do anything.”

“I never did, Frank.”

“I showed them. You’re a smart one, Luke, like your father.”

“Thanks, that’s the one compliment I won’t forget. Dad was the best.”

“Hey, did ya notice my favorite picture next to my interview?”

“You mean the one with the Chief shaking your hand while you lay in a hospital bed?”

“I’m framing it. I bet he shook yours too.”

“The Chief told me it was about time I solved the case.”

“He was over the top with praise. The piece has gotten me lots of attention from the women. My next door neighbor, a lovely, single lady, has volunteered to bring me supper for the next week.”

“You’re the man, Frank. I’ll be over Tuesday.” He hung up and turned to Rose. She was gone.

He surveyed the street without finding a sign of her. Should he try to catch her? He wanted to speak to A.J. before he was being released. He’d catch Rose later when he figured out what to say. He drove over to the County Jail where a clerk directed him to the discharge desk. Luke found A.J. shoving his belongings into a paper bag.

He stiffened at the sight of the detective. “Afraid you can’t gloat today. I’m out on bail. I sold a few pictures of Dahlia to a news agency for the money. They didn’t mind dealing with me. Besides all the new evidence proved I’m not a killer. Shouldn’t you’d be home licking your wounds, Detective. Did you enjoy my picture at the Casino?”

“We saw you. Don’t go anywhere yet.” Luke crowded up to him. “I’m betting the Drowns were customers of yours. Did you connect them with Dahlia?”

“Dahlia didn’t deserve what happened to her at The Ledges.” He wiped at his tearless eyes. “Did you come to torture me? Dahlia’s dead. I’m sorry. I loved her.”

“Cry me a river and build me an overpass, get over it. I came to tell you to stay away from Rose Blue.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll never speak to her again.”

“If I discover you’re active in the porn business while you’re out, count on immediately going back to jail. I’ll be watching the internet for signs of your activity. I don’t care where the money goes. And remember, speak, email, text or go within ten miles of Rose, and you’ll regret it.”

“Isn’t threatening innocent people a crime?” He grabbed his bag. “So long, and don’t look me up.”

Luke left and drove to Rose’s without a prepared speech. Time had not given him the words, but he had to see her. He rang the buzzer. She didn’t answer. He used his bump key and entered.

Upstairs he found a note on her door.
I cleaned the apartment. If you need to contact me, call the Blues Sisters. R

She was gone.

Chapter 32

The scarlet butterfly landed on the grave marker and fluttered its wings.

“I love you, Dahlia. I always will,” Rose whispered. “I hope you Blues Women are behaving in heaven.”

She unzipped her blue fleece. Spring had finally arrived and brought the long anticipated warmth. She turned from her sister’s grave and spotted him. Luke Lennox, dressed in his worn leather jacket and faded jeans, was leaning against his car, at the entrance of the cemetery.

Hope filtered through her. No, he hadn’t come for her. Her personal time with him was over. He’d probably driven to Bratt to question her more about Dean. His name brought her near panic.

She did a quick breathing exercise. Dean had no power over her. He was dead.

On the path, Luke was walking toward her in his familiar gunslinger stride, stirring up memories that hurt worse than ever. Her car was too far away for a quick escape.

She’d faced a killer. She could speak to Detective Lennox. She forced cheerfulness into her voice. “Hello, Luke. I didn’t expect to see you. Did you hear I received the results of my DNA test? Dean wasn’t my father.”

“I never believed him.”

“I’ve done my best to research what happened in my family. Apparently Mom and Gram moved over the border to start over in Ledgeview when my grandfather died. Mom enrolled in the high school and followed her already established pattern of sneaking out with boys. Voila, she became pregnant with us. They moved back home to Vermont, maybe to be with friends during Gram’s trying time of dealing with an unwed teenager.”