He leans a little closer. “Who?”
The music is loud and he’s getting hard of hearing, so I step a little closer and repeat my question.
Dad gives me a confused look. “What guy?”
It’s hard to resist rolling my eyes. Even though it happened a decade ago, he was the only person I’ve ever heard of from our town who ended up in prison. It’s all anyone talked about for months after it happened. “That guy who killed that couple in that hit-and-run. Paul Granger.”
His forehead creases as he considers my question. “Paul Granger. Why on earth are you asking about him?”
Obviously, I’m not about to get into the real reason. “I had forgotten all about it until someone brought his name up.”
“Why would anyone be talking about that lowlife?” He says this loud enough that the people in front of us turn around and stare at Dad.
I shrug a shoulder. “Someone said he’s trying to get his case reopened and I was just curious. I was out of the country when it happened so I didn’t keep up with it in real time like everyone in town did.”
I’m exaggerating a bit. It didn’t take much digging to find a handful of posts Paul’s mom made on social media over the last several months, saying he had been framed that summer a decade ago and that “the truth that had been buried would be brought to light.” That Paul would soon be free. The way she said it, with such certainty, made his release feel imminent.
“I would think you’d have something more productive to do than gossip. Aren’t you still taking pictures of cheeseburgers?”
And there’s the dig.
“Randall!” The man behind Dad taps him on the shoulder so we turn around.
“Gus! Marie!” Dad says in greeting.
Dad introduces me to the couple even though I’ve known them for years. And just like that, all conversation about Paul is over.
The moment Aubrey said Paul Granger’s name, a chill raced down my spine, and I’ve been searching for every piece of information I can get my hands on.
Aubrey was right when she said I recognized Paul Granger’s name.
He was born and raised in my hometown and was several years older than me. When I was in college, Paul was a thirty-year-old drug dealer who was still hanging out with high school kids. The kind of drug dealer who would only be a big fish in an extremely small pond, where options are severely limited. The kind of drug dealer every small town has.
Ten years ago, Paul Granger drove his truck drunk and high and ran through a stop sign, plowing into the side of another car and killing both passengers inside.
I took Aubrey’s advice and did a little research to see how she was connected to Paul.
The couple Paul Granger killed that night were Aubrey Price’s parents and it’s all I can think about now.
Dad and I finally get our drinks and make our way back to the table. Mom has moved to the next one over to speak with the group of women there, while Silas and Margaret are across the room. Ben is waiting for me, though, and stands as we approach. “Ready to head to our table? They’ll be serving dinner soon.”
“Sure.”
Ben shakes Dad’s hand, telling him we’ll catch up with them later, while I walk away without saying anything else to him.
My friend Riley catches me just before we get to our table. “I didn’t think y’all were ever coming over here. Does Hank know I’m sitting with y’all?”
Ben snorts when I answer, “Yes! He’s excited to meet you!” “Excited” may be a bit of an exaggeration.
When we get to our table, I stop next to where he’s already seated. “Hey, Hank. This is my friend I was telling you about! Riley Murphy.”
He stands, shooting me a look before plastering on a smile, then turns to her. “Hey, Riley. Nice to meet you.”
She beams as she takes the empty seat next to him. I can almost hear his internal groan.
Ben and I sit across from them just as the lights dim. A video presentation begins, showcasing all the amazing things the foundation has accomplished this year.
I watch Ben as he watches the screen and try to make sense of my jumbled thoughts. It feels like my mind hasn’t stopped spinning in days.
