A tragedy. Yes, it had been that. A tragedy that could have been completely avoided if he hadn’t been so full of himself. He said nothing. He wasn’t sure he could.
“Your friend died,” she said softly. “Her name was Megan, wasn’t it?”
He swallowed. Nodded.
“Her stepfather was a monster,” his mother murmured.
He swallowed again, the scene so clear in his mind. “Yes,” he whispered.
“He killed his whole family. I think we all thought it was sad, that we wished we’d known he was capable of such evil. I never considered how deeply Megan’s death impacted you. I should have. You’d been close in junior high. I’m sorry for that, David. I was so wrapped up in getting by after your dad died… and you were always so strong and steady. I never saw you were hurting. I’m sorry for that, too.”
He lifted his eyes to hers. She was sorry? She’d done nothing wrong. Not like me. He cleared his throat, hoped his voice would be level. “Why bring all that up now?”
She sat back in her chair. “Because I’ve thought about this for a long time and have wanted to ask you so many times. It never seemed like the right time, so I left it alone. I don’t suppose you understand that.”
He thought of Olivia, of how he’d put things off far too long. “More than you think.”
She leaned forward, covered his hand with hers. “For years I watched you donate your time and your talent to worthy causes. But during those same years I watched you be so alone it’s made my heart break. But you’re a man grown, so I kept my counsel.”
“And now?”
“Now… you look like you’re trying to start your life again. So I come to visit, hoping to find you settled. Instead I find an empty apartment and a son who’s still alone. Who still volunteers every waking moment of his time to others.”
David squared his jaw, looked away. “That’s not wrong.”
“Not when it’s for the right reasons. I’m not sure your reasons are the right ones. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were doing penance.”
He met her eyes, helplessly miserable. He wanted to deny her words, but could not.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I thought so. Some- times, when you think no one can see, you get this look in your eyes. Like you carry the world on your shoulders. Why?”
His chest was too tight. But she was waiting. I can’t tell her the truth. Not all. So he carved away enough of the truth to make the pain on her face go away. “I saw it. The crime scene.”
Confused, she blinked, sending the tears down her cheeks. “What?”
“I was coming home from my friend’s house. You all were at Mass that morning. I saw police cars in front of Megan’s house, and I ran up to see. And I saw them. Dead.”
His mother blanched, horrified. “Dear God. Megan, her mother… they were…”
He nodded, kept his voice steady. “Beaten to death. Yes.”
She sat across the table, stunned. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Because I was ashamed. I still am. And I don’t want you to ever know what I did.
He shrugged. “I guess I was in shock. I was eighteen, Ma. Boys that age don’t get all emotional about things like that.” Which was a lie. He had been emotional. He’d nearly lost his mind. “But I remembered it. And I needed to do something to keep it from happening again. I can’t help the women themselves, but I can help the shelters.”
His mother blinked again, struggling for composure. “David, I wish you’d told me then. I can’t imagine what you saw. We should have gotten you help. Therapy.”
“I was eighteen, Ma. I wouldn’t have gone to therapy.” Hell, he hadn’t even told his priest. “So stop blaming yourself.”
She nodded uncertainly. “Well, that does explain a lot.” She looked at him, her eyes intense. “You do know there’s nothing you could do to make me not love you.”
And he realized she knew he lied still. “Yeah. I know.”
She reached for his hands, squeezed them fiercely. “I’m proud of you. Never forget that.” She sat back briskly. “Now, about where I’m going to stay.”
“Here,” he said firmly, relieved that was over. “You’re going to stay here. You need to check out all the apartments, get a feel for colors.”
“That would be best. I’m going carpet shopping,” she said. “If you’re going out tonight, you should get some rest.”
“Drive carefully, Ma.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here. I love you, too.”
He watched her leave, then sagged into a chair, his eyes closed, drained. But it would be fruitless to try to sleep. His mind was churning along with his gut. It happened every time he remembered that day. Today it was worse, lying to his mother.
He rose wearily. He had time to lay the floor in 2A. He could have the girls’ new fridge put in the living room until the floor was set. But first he sent a short text to Olivia with the address of Glenn’s fishing cabin. It was quiet there. They could talk.
I should have done it earlier. I’ve been a coward. He supposed after tonight there would be one less mystery in his life.
At least I’ll know exactly what I did the night I spent with Olivia Sutherland.
Chapter Seven
Monday, September 20, 2:25 p.m.
Olivia frowned at the address David texted. It was a rural area twenty minutes away from the city. Why there?
“What’s wrong?” Kane asked.
“Oh, nothing.” She put her phone away and went back to studying the map of the lake. “We’ve covered the cabins with views of the condo. Nobody saw Tracey Mullen.”
“Or will admit to it. Something’s going on at the condo. Give me the field glasses.”
Olivia patted her pocket, then groaned. “I forgot them earlier. I handed them to David and forgot to get them back. I’ll get them for you tonight.”
He started to speak, then thought better of it. “I think the dog is here,” he said instead.
Olivia strained to see across the lake. “I wonder if it’s the arson dog or the SAR.”
They’d told Barlow the girl had been with a man before the fire started. He’d already called for the state’s arson dog but said he’d get a search-and-rescue team, too.
“Since we have no field glasses,” Kane said, “let’s drive over and find out.”
When they got to the condo, a search-and-rescue team stood ready to work. The dog was a German Shepherd and its owner a tall woman whose red hair hung down the middle of her back like a flame. Olivia knew only one person with hair that color.
“Barlow called Brie,” she said, satisfied. “I wasn’t sure he would.”
“That’s your doggy-day-care friend?” Kane asked, surprised.
“Yeah. Her real business is training dogs for search, rescue, and detection.” She sped up her pace. “Barlow and Brie and I all graduated from the academy together. For a while, we were all close.” The three of them and Barlow’s best friend, to be accurate. “Barlow and Brie used to be a couple. Engaged, actually.”
“Them, too?” Kane asked carefully. He rarely referred to her failed engagement and never referred to Doug by name, which was just fine by her.
“Them, too,” she said. “Engagement didn’t work out for them either. But Barlow knows Brie’s good. She did SAR before she left the force. Her dad’s a vet.”
“Dog vet or army vet?”
“Both. Takes care of the dogs in her training center and the day care in addition to his own practice. Mojo loves him, even when he’s getting a shot.” She waved. “Brie!”
Brie Franconi waved back. “Get a move on. GusGus is missing his soaps.”
When Olivia got close, she made the introductions and Brie shook Kane’s hand with a warm smile. “I’ve heard so much about you,” Brie said. “Good to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” Kane said. “I seem to have heard a lot about you. Especially today.”
“Our female victim had a cochlear,” Olivia told her quietly.