“You’re doing it on purpose,” he said. “I know you are. Rene used to do those things to me.”
She stopped immediately. It was the last thing she wanted to do. Bring up memories of his sister.
She pushed her plate away. “Who did you talk to and what was said?”
“I seemed to get warned off. Do you know the reason for that?”
“Huh? Warned off like how?”
“After you left last week, Barb told me to be careful how much digging I did. Or something to that effect. Today when Ipicked the files up, she said that not everyone wants the past dug up again. That I have to watch who I talk to.”
She laughed. “Barb is nosy and likes to gossip. That is the perfect job for her.”
“Oh,” he said. “So it’s cause and effect hoping I’ll share something?”
“No clue, but I wouldn’t think much about it. Was it just her?”
“I ran into someone who lives a few houses over from where Rene’s body was found. I was looking around and he came out to see if he could help me with anything. I think he regretted it once he found out who I was.”
“You told him?” That shocked her. She thought for sure he’d be keeping that quiet, at least for a little longer.
“I debated and figured he’d be sympathetic to my plight. Austin Robinson.”
“I know who you’re talking about,” she said. “As sad as it is, I know many people in this area.”
“I’m sure you do. He alluded to there being some wealthy or powerful people who had an agenda back then. Or pushed for Cooper’s quick arrest. Then he said there was a surprise alibi during the trial. I knew none of that or my parents didn’t say. We weren’t there every day of the trial. Or the fact that Austin talked to the police and gave a few statements, yet I’ve got no copy of them.”
She let out a breath. “I talked to Ford. We’ll get you what he’s got. If Austin says he gave a statement, it should be on record.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then Ford has another problem and my brother will have to deal with that. What else did Austin say?”
“Not much that I hadn’t thought of. That there is a mixture of opinions, but no one thought it was Cooper. Some say a tourist, others a local who knows they got away with something andwants to make sure it stays hidden. He brought up something about Cooper used to work for McGregors and now they own the condo complex and other neighbors have been asked multiple times to sell their land.”
“This is a conversation to have in person,” she said. “Give me the night to think on it.”
“That’s not making me feel any better. Are you going to guard your words too?”
She’d have to be careful. This was a thin line that she was going to skate between her career, her ethics, her morals and her need to find answers.
“I’m not sure yet. But I won’t lie.”
“I guess that’s all I can hope for.”
She didn’t care for the sadness in his voice either, which only reaffirmed she might be in trouble when it came to Rory Connors.
11
GRAVEYARD OF MEMORIES
“What did you bring?” Rory said when he opened his door close to seven on Tuesday night. Gale had texted earlier apologizing she was running late and could reschedule if this time didn’t work for him.
Considering he needed a break from reading what destroyed his family, any distraction worked, any time of day or night.
“Italian,” she said. “Spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parm. They both came with a side salad, sorry.”
He narrowed one eye at her smirk. “I’m pretty sure you’re not going to crunch with your mouth open in front of me.”
