“Not sure that is important,” Gale said.
“Looking back, at my time as a cop, not even a detective, there were things that weren’t done well. Or rushed. The fact my mother didn’t know what that was and I did, someone should have looked into it. Even taken the extra string from our cabin rental to make sure that is where it came from and was not given as a gift.”
“Agreed,” Ford said.
“Was it ever tested for DNA?”
“It doesn’t look as if it was,” Ford said. “And it goes no further that I’m sending it out. No one knows at the department. I gaveit to someone I trust in the labs and then it was sent out for further analysis.”
“Do you think there is a leak in the department?”
“I don’t want to think there is. At least not now, but back then, before my time, I don’t know. My gut says to keep this quiet. I’ve got copies of everything I’ve got access to. I can see what you’ve been given and there were a few things added over the years. Nothing that seems important, but I’ll share it anyway. The release is already on file from you, so we’re good.”
“You don’t want me talking to anyone?” he asked.
“Not just yet. Not unless you feel the need to.”
Rory sat back, his upper lip between his teeth. “You know, we were fed a narrative by the police back then. We believed what we were told because we didn’t know any better. Years later, even in our grief, we never questioned that they didn’t want the killer caught just as much as us. But now I wonder if there was more going on that no one wants brought up. It feels it to me.”
“I was a kid here too,” Meredith said. “We were all scared. Wasn’t there a theory that he was a tourist?”
“There were a lot of theories,” Callum said. “And they all sucked. Even the crap piled on Cooper. Ford, that was messed up and you know it. The right people weren’t interviewed to clear him. His family went through just as much hell because of it.”
“I know,” Ford said. “I want to say we will get to the bottom of it, but I can’t promise that. What I can promise is that I’m looking at this with a fresh set of eyes.”
“Me too,” Clay said. He looked at Clay. “I think differently than my brother. Not sure I can help, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“I’ll take all the help I can get,” Rory said. Which was more than he’d felt he’d gotten before. “Tell me more about the McGregors. I’ve looked into them and met Kane, but know little about Daniel.”
“I probably know the most,” Callum said. “He wasn’t an easy person to work for. That’s why Cooper left after a few years. Daniel moved here from downstate with the intent of taking over the area. A big fish in a small pond.”
“Preying on people,” Brooke said.
“Preying how?” Rory asked.
“Rumors. Nothing ever gets pinned on them, but they like to strong-arm people if kissing ass doesn’t get it done. Lining the pockets of political candidates in the guise of donations. The same with businesses. Always talking about one hand feeding the other.” Brooke was nodding her head when she finished speaking.
“Did they approach you for anything?” he asked.
He watched Brooke and Callum look at each other. Callum said, “He tried to buy the land years ago.”
“What?” Clay asked. “When?”
“When you kids were all in college. We’d had a few bad years and he’d always said he was interested. I know he wants to turn the land into some industrial park if not some housing development. This land has been in my family for generations and I told him it wasn’t for sale. After the second time with a shotgun in my hand when he showed up, he got the point.”
“You go, Dad,” Gale said, putting her fist in the air.
Brooke sat forward. “When your father was hurt a few years ago, Kane approached me. Acted like he wanted to help and no one was around and he had a good offer.”
“Asshole,” Ford said. “Why didn’t you tell us that?”
“Why would I? I told him the same as we’d told his father for years. The land wasn’t for sale,” Brooke said. “My point is, he’s not someone to give up. They might go away, but I don’t know if they stay that way.”
“And now they are trying to find out more?” Gale asked.
“We don’t know what they are doing,” Ford said. “And I don’t want to tell you to watch your back like others have, but there are a lot afraid of them in this area.”
“But the Ridgeways aren’t,” Gale said. “Right?”
