“No. But something changed a couple of weeks ago. Vic thinks Ben may have found out some details on his own, but he’s not sharing. He promised me he’s going to try to get me more info out of Ben.”
Shaking my head, I reach for Deacon’s arm. “No. What if that guy tells Ben we know what he’s doing and he comes after you?”
Deacon laughs. “He’s more scared of Chris than he is of Ben. As heshould be. And the amount of money he owes Chris is significantly more than what Ben is paying him. Guys like him are only loyal to the dollar.”
I drag my hand back and run it through my hair. “But I don’t understand what I have to do with any of this.”
His shoulders slump just a bit. “Didn’t get a clear answer on that either. Ben wanted a profile on you but didn’t say why. Probably how Ben learned Shane and Eddie lived here and knew hiring them to restore that Mustang would get him access to the house, just don’t know why he’d want it. It’s another answer I told him to go back and get.”
I hug my arms around my waist. “What do you think is going on? What does all this mean?”
Deacon chews on his lip while he considers my question. “Hell, I’d be guessing, but breaking it down—Ben wants to get his hands on evidence that would prove Paul Granger was innocentno matter the cost. But it doesn’t seem like he’d use it to help Paul. So the only logical reason was if the evidence getting out could be used against Ben in some way. Honestly, I don’t know, but most men act desperate, which is what this sounds like, because they’re scared or have something big to lose.”
He makes a very sound argument. “I hate dragging you into this.”
Even though he looks the part of the tough enforcer, I’ve seen a side of him that wouldn’t be good for business. Not only does he show up at Doug’s most nights to offer me a ride but I’ve also found extra laundry detergent pods in my almost-empty container that are the same brand he uses, and my food has been replenished on multiple occasions. Even now he doesn’t hesitate to help me.
“Stop. You’re not dragging me into anything. In fact, Ben Bayliss is the one who dragged all of us into this. By stalking you, buying that Mustang, and hiring Shane and Eddie to restore it.”
I wilt against my headboard and can’t stop the tears that flood my eyes.
I was sixteen when my parents were killed. Everyone thought it was best to shield me from the details at that time. All I was told was the bad man who had crashed into my parents’ car had been arrested and was going to jail for the rest of his life. It wasn’t until I graduated high school that I started looking into what happened that night. Searched for details. What I found left me with more questions than answers.
Two years later, I went to talk to the detective who handled the case, and he was nice enough as he walked me through everything, but the case against Paul looked thin, even to my uneducated eyes. I went back a few weeks later armed with questions, and he blew me off. Told me I was too young to understand and to trust they got the right guy and be glad he’ll never hurt anyone ever again.
Around the same time, my aunt and uncle decided it was time for me to move out of their house. They had taken me in after my parents died, but the moment I graduated high school and turned eighteen, their obligation to me was done.
Getting to the bottom of what happened on that dark road took a back seat to surviving. The little bit of money my parents had left me was gone. My aunt and uncle made sure to use all of it to “raise me,” although I’m sure it went to other things, like my uncle’s new fishing boat and the cosmetic procedures my aunt routinely got.
While most of my friends started college, I went to work. It was hard enough trying to figure out how to make enough money to live that I didn’t consider school an option. And it’s so easy to get settled into the rut of a routine, especially when you makejustenough to get by.
Then Paul started sending me letters and Camille walked into the bar.
“You think Ben was involved that night with Paul and that’s why he’s going to all the trouble to get his hands on this evidence?”
Deacon shrugs. “That’s my best guess. Ten years ago he was twenty with not much to lose. He’s in a much different position now.”
“If he does get it and it implicates him in some way, it will disappear forever.” It kills me to think that someone who played a part in the deaths of my parents won’t be held accountable for their actions.
Deacon squeezes my foot through the comforter. “Hey. We’re going to figure this out. Let’s give Vic a chance to get us some more info and we’ll make a plan. Just may need to get creative.”
Chapter 16
Camille
The Alibi
Saturday, October 10
Ben leans back in his chair once the video on the drive begins to play. I can just make out the screen over his right shoulder. It’s Aubrey Price, the woman currently in St. Francisville posing as me.
It’s my fault Aubrey was tipped off that Ben was watching her, and my only choices were to sit back and let Aubrey make a big stink with Ben or to promise to work with her to find out the truth of what happened that night ten years ago.
Obviously, I chose the second option, especially since the first option wouldn’t further my own goal of leaving my marriage with some financial stability.
And now I’m sitting in my attic, spying on my husband.
The video opens with Aubrey sitting at a table in a nondescript room.“Detective Walton, thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I know how busy you are, and this isn’t considered a high priority case…anymore.” She’s nervous. And fidgety. Keeps pushing her hair behind her ear even though it never stays where she tucks it.
