“That’s right,” Wayne said. “Well, yeah, they were, and that Nick, he was tough even then. I had a run-in with him the second day I was searching.”
Pierce’s shoulders tightened slightly. “What run-in?”
“I was stapling missing persons posters to telephone poles around town, and that Nick rushed out of the ice cream store and yanked one right off. Ripped the whole thing.”
Pierce made a notation in the file. “Did he say anything?”
Wayne nodded wildly. “Yes. He said that his fuckin’ father and that bitch were never coming back, and I should just move on. That they deserved each other, and I should go live a good life. Something like that.”
Spencer stared at Pierce. “I don’t suppose that’s in the file folder from Sheriff Franco?”
Wayne sighed. “I don’t remember telling the sheriff about it. I’d already heard the rumors about Richard beating on his kids, so I didn’t think much about it. But now, with the benefit of hindsight, I’m telling you, Detective Pierce, if anybody killed those two, it was Nick Basanelli. I know he turned into some football stud and is now the prosecutor, gets his name in the paper all the time, and is probably one of your friends, but if anybody killed them, it would’ve been him.”
“Do you have any sort of proof other than a generalized suspicion?” Pierce asked.
Wayne shook his head. “Not really. Just the hatred in his eyes. It was something I will never forget. You know the rumors about Richard beating on his family, right?”
“Yes,” Pierce said.
Wayne shook his head. “Isn’t that motive, Detective?”
“You have motive, too,” Pierce said easily. “Your wife left you. A lot of men get angry about that kind of thing.”
Wayne flushed. “I know, but I didn’t kill her. I never would’ve killed her.”
Pierce tapped his file folders into order. “All right. I’m going to ask you to voluntarily give a sample of your DNA as well as your fingerprints.”
“Absolutely not,” Spencer said, rearing up.
Wayne slumped in his chair. “I don’t care. You can have my DNA and my prints.”
“You do not need to do that,” Spencer said, jumping to his feet.
“It’s okay,” Wayne said, also standing. “I didn’t kill them. I have no reason not to help.” He looked toward his brother. “I really did love her, Spencer. I want to know who killed her.”
Spencer’s gaze softened. “I know.” He sighed and looked toward Pierce. “We’ll help you in absolutely any way we can, but I’m telling you, Detective, you really need to look at Nick Basanelli. My brother has excellent instincts, and if he’s telling you there was hatred in that kid’s eyes, there was. I hope you don’t let any friendship you may have with him corrupt this case.”
“I wouldn’t think of it.” Pierce pushed back his chair and stood. “Somebody will be here in a moment to get your DNA and prints.”
He turned, cut me a sharp look through the one-way glass, and then exited the room.
Chapter13
Ireally liked the way Aiden’s truck performed as I drove over the mountainous pass in the wintery afternoon. His seat warmers were hotter than mine, and the steering wheel warmer… It was almost decadent. I cranked up the music and sang along as I wound through the mountains and arrived in the quaint town of Silverville. I always felt like I was coming home when I arrived, even though I lived in Timber City now. Of course, I needed to watch out for deer this time.
My phone buzzed, and I clicked the button on the dash. “Albertini.”
“Hey. It’s Nick.”
I slowed down to pass a logging truck with snow all over the freshly cut wood. “Hi. What’s up?”
“I want to propose tonight and wondered if you would help.”
My heart went all gooey. “I would love to help. I can get a bunch of rose petals and create a love nest of sorts down by the lake.”
His sigh was heavy. “It’s freezing, Anna. Forget the lake. I ordered dinner in from Tratto’s and asked Tess to come to my condo.”
Tratto’s had the best Italian food in Timber City, by far. At least Nick’s place overlooked Tamarack Lake, so there’d be some water involved. “Sounds good. What can I do?”
