“You remember the other guy in the office?” he asked her.
“Yes. The older man who was Mr. Searson’s friend. I don’t recall his name,” Holly admitted. Everything had happened so fast and she’d mainly been concerned for Bethany’s welfare.
“David Ramesly,” Molson said the name with some distain.
“Who is he?” she wanted to know. “Why do you think that he would have tried to kill Bethany?”
Molson sighed. “You were trying to pick apart Beth’s childhood memories.”
“She had repressed memories,” Holly corrected him. “She wanted to remember.”
“Beth saw a crime,” he noted.
“You mean the memories on the boat?” Holly pursed her lips as she concentrated on recalling everything that Bethany had said about the boat. “She remembered being nearly drowned on the boat, someone telling her to forget everything she had seen. I believe she said something about a powder?”
“It was a drug drop,” Molson responded. “The white powder was probably heroine. Two men were aboard that boat when Bethany accidently stumbled upon the whole thing. One was her father, who convinced David Ramesly not to drown her that day. After that, Beth was put on medications and given years of counselling to ensure that she would never remember the incident. She lived her entire life in a fog of fear because her father and David didn’t want her to remember and testify against them.”
“Then David Ramesly did try to kill her,” Holly took in a deep breath. “Why hasn’t he been arrested?”
“There’s no proof,” Molson replied.
“What do you mean there’s no proof?” Holly demanded indignantly. “He has motive. Bethany remembers him attempting to kill her on the boat! There is no reason he wouldn’t try again if her memories were resurfacing.”
“No proof David smuggled drugs back then,” Molson hated to tell her. He was just as frustrated over the situation. He didn’t like David and wanted the man to face justice. “Bethany’s repressed memories aren’t going to stand up in any court. Too many people have been led to believe false memories planted by so called professionals.”
“I have never planted false memories in any of my clients,” Holly said hotly.
“It ain’t about you,” Molson acknowledged. “It’s about a perceived impression the jury could have. It won’t stand up in court.”
“Then David Ramesly gets away with what he’s done?” Holly asked incredulously.
“He gets away with attempting to kill Bethany, yes,” Molson grimly agreed. He hesitated to say something.
“There’s more,” Holly looked at him shrewdly. “What is it?”
Molson sighed. “David might not be able to serve justice for what he did to Bethany. However, we know he ran drugs, we know he has framed his oldest son Michael for drug smuggling and money laundering. Drew and I are working on a way to prove it so that David can be convicted and go to prison. I want to clear Michael’s name.”
“Drew?” Holly’s brow furrowed as she tried to recall the name.
“Andrew. My brother the detective,” Molson clarified sardonically.
“Then I want to help,” Holly told him.
“Help?” Molson had a half laugh. “How are you going to help?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “However, I’m going to try. Bethany should have justice. David needs to go to prison. Otherwise, Bethany will always be afraid that he’ll try another attempt on her life again.”
“David is slippery. He’s got power and money,” Molson tried to gauge how serious Holly was. “It ain’t gonna be easy to prove what he’s done. Anyone who tries, their life could be in danger.”
“Then I expect you and Detective Colborne to protect me,” Holly replied.
“Drew ain’t gonna let you be in on this,” Molson shook his head. He was surprised Drew had allowed the rest of the Ramesly clan in on what was going on. Normally his brother was a loner. Then again, everyone wanted Michael to be set free. “Besides, he ain’t allowed to investigate the case anyways.”
“What do you mean he isn’t allowed to investigate the case?” Holly questioned. “He’s a detective.”
“First, it’s now an FBI case so the police don’t handle it anymore. Second, conflict of interest,” Molson watched for Holly’s reaction. “He’s the illegitimate son of David Ramesly.”
Holly mulled that over a moment before looking at Molson. “Does that mean that you’re David’s son as well?”
