Page 22 of One Night Years Ago

“I didn’t for one second believe you did what they accused you of.”

“You didn’t?” he said, surprised. He didn’t realize anybody had stood by him except his mother.

“Hunter Fowler? The boy who used to mow Captain Finn’s lawn at night, once the old man became too old to do so himself, and let the captain believe his grass didn’t grow?”

“He was a good friend of my father’s.” Hunter shook himself. He wasn’t here to go down memory lane. “I need to ask your professional opinion on something. It’s about the case.”

“Tell me what you need, Hunter. But first, give me a dollar. It’ll be a retainer. That way I’ll be your lawyer, and I won’t be able to testify against you, no matter what.”

He brought a dollar out of his pocket and put it on her desk. He hadn’t gotten around to buying a wallet yet. He hated going into town.

“I’m worried what I tell you will—”

“You’ve done your time, Hunter. The case cannot be reopened.”

“I didn’t see Natalie that night,” he said.

“I figured.”

“I was out drinking with friends. Jesse was in town. He went to the cinema. He’s the one who saw Natalie on the ground. He didn’t know what he was seeing. He tried to put her dress back on. She regained consciousness and saw him.”

“Oh God, Hunter. What did you do?”

Hunter spoke faster and faster, half-choking on his shame. “Jesse ran home. I found him huddled in a corner of the barn, clutching her dress, her blood on his hands. But he swore he didn’t do it and I believed him.”

“So you took his place.”

Hunter nodded. Tears filled his eyes. “I thought I was doing right by my brother, but I was a coward. It’s my fault Natalie’s rapist went free.”

“And now he’s killed again.”

“You’ve heard about that?”

“Everybody in Sharp’s Cove’s heard about it by now. That poor girl’s parents.” Helen seemed lost in thought for a moment. A moment later her sharp brown eyes met his again. “So Natalie’s after you now?”

He shook his head. “It’s worse than that. She saw Jesse today and recognized him. I think I convinced her she needs to be looking elsewhere, but she’s angry at me.”

“Are you surprised?”

“I’m not surprised. I deserve her hatred. I deserve everything she throws at me. But Jesse … he’s remembered something else about that night. He saw the man.”

“You need to tell Natalie about this, Hunter. Your brother might be the key to finding this guy.”

Hunter nodded. “I know. But how do I protect my brother?”

“I think you should trust Natalie. She’s not going to punish your brother for something he didn’t do.”

“Will you come with us?”

Helen nodded. “Maybe the retainer is for your brother, after all. I don’t think you need a lawyer. I’ll make an appointment with Natalie here, so Jesse doesn’t have to go to the sheriff’s station.”

“Thank you, Helen,” he said, standing up to his full height. Helen barely came up to his shoulder, but she managed to reach up and hug him, holding on to his neck for long seconds. Hunter tensed, unused to being touched. Finally, she let go, looking at him with those intelligent eyes.

“I’ll give you some free advice, Hunter. As your friend, not as your lawyer. I think you’ve paid dearly for what you did. You shouldn’t keep punishing yourself.”

Chapter 10

Natalie