“Yes, my parents were gone on vacation, and I was taking care of their cats and studying for a big Chem 101 test.”
“Did you see or hear anything that night?”
Sally glances around again. She pulls another napkin from the dispenser on our table and tears it into small pieces. “I think so.”
“What?” I speak quietly, not wanting to spook her.
She leans in and lowers her voice. I barely make out her words. “I heard a car around midnight. I thought it was my boyfriend. We’d gotten into a fight earlier, and I assumed he was coming apologize. I stepped onto the front porch to greet him, but the car slowly cruised in front of my house and stopped in front of Mr. Bliss’s home for several seconds before accelerating. I thought it was odd, and I was annoyed it wasn’t Harlon, my boyfriend. Then the car returned. The driver passed by and pulled over to the curb several houses down. Being a true-crime junkie, I’m immediately suspicious. I’m thinking the guy is a burglar canvassing the neighborhood.”
“What happened next?” I hurriedly scribble notes on a yellow pad. Even though our conversation’s being recorded, writing things down helps me make sense of what’s being said.
“I crouched behind a large plant on my porch. Pretty soon the guy got out. He was wearing all black and walking my direction, while being very careful to stay in the shadows. I held my breath and actually punched in 911 on my phone, ready to hit the Call button at any moment. He snuck around the side of the Blisses’ house. From what I can tell, he had a key, unlocked the door, entered, and shut it behind him. I didn’t know what to do. He clearly hadn’t broken in. I was thinking maybe he’s a houseguest.” She pauses to take a breath and another sip of coffee.
“Is that all?”
“No. I heard a loud noise, like a gunshot. That same guy hurried from the house. He saw me and ran toward me. I was frozen with fear. He shoved me against the wall and threw my phone down. Then he threatened to kill me and my family if I said anything. I was scared to death, thinking I was going to die right there. He let me go with one final warning. If I talked, he’d make sure I paid. Then he left.”
“Did you get a good look at him? Can you describe him?”
“I can do better than that. He was the Blisses’ gardener, but I’d seen him at their house all hours of the day and night. As soon as Mr. Bliss left, this guy would show up. I figured he was having an affair with Mrs. Bliss.”
“Do you know his name?”
“I do.”
* * *
An hour later, I’m sitting at Gardenia’s kitchen table. The big house overlooks a large lawn and a view of Puget Sound. The view is peaceful and comforting, but there’s nothing peaceful and comforting about what I’m going to reveal.
Gardenia listens quietly as I play the recording for her. Once it’s over, she puts her head in her hands and sobs quietly. I don’t know what to do. I’m awful at the touchy-feely stuff. My family was never very demonstrative, and I’m not used to doing so myself. I awkwardly rub her back until the sobs subside. Gardenia lifts her head and manages a slight smile.
“Thank you. I knew Dad didn’t kill himself. He had too much to live for. And the timing… He was in the process of filing for a divorce from that woman. I also suspected, as did Dad, that she was having an affair.”
“I hope this information is helpful.”
“I do too. I’ll give this recording to Carla, and we’ll press for the case to be reopened.”
“I hope you get justice for your dad.”
“Me, too. Thank you so much for all you’ve done. Carla tried to meet with her, but she refused. I never expected results this quickly and for the information to be so damning.”
“I’m nothing if not persistent.”
We talk for a while longer about the boys and my job search, which is a pretty dismal subject, since I’m not finding anything I’m remotely qualified for.
“A bunch of the WAGs are watching the game together tonight. Would you like to join us?”
“I don’t think I’d be welcome.”
“Of course you will be. It’s here, and I can invite whoever I please.”
“I don’t know.”
“They’re a great bunch of women. They’ll forgive you once they get to know and trust you, like I do.”
“You trust me?”
“Yes. I like to think I’m a good judge of character, and you’ve redeemed yourself. Besides, you mostly attacked Drakos this past season. Not the other guys. Why do you hate him so much?”
