Читать книгу Presumed Guilty - Dana R. Lynn - Страница 12

TWO

The scenery sped past as Jace drove to the hospital. Melanie tried to ask a question or two. He only grunted in reply. He couldn’t talk now. His mind was busy analyzing what had happened. The scene at the house made him uneasy.

She seemed to get the message. The silence settled around them like a cloak.

Jace couldn’t accept that the events of the day were all coincidental. Too much had happened in less than two hours.

Melanie had been released from prison.

She had been verbally threatened by the man in front of the courthouse.

Sarah Swanson had been found comatose.

Someone had thrown a rock through the window.

Jace had found Melanie reading her Bible.

That had really thrown him for a loop. Against his better judgment, he found himself feeling sympathy for the pretty brunette. The distress in her brown eyes over her aunt’s condition was real, he was sure of it. He had gone searching for her, knowing she would need a ride to the hospital. He watched in disbelief as she leafed through the Bible. Not idly. Purposefully, as though she knew what she was looking for. When she had finally noticed him, the expression of peace on her face shook him.

“I don’t understand what happened to Aunt Sarah.” Melanie’s voice interrupted his musings. He threw her a confused frown.

“I assumed she was stung by a bee.”

She shook her head. “The only thing she’s allergic to is peanuts. She’s always been extremely careful. She would never eat or drink anything without reading its ingredient list.” Mel shifted her position and narrowed her eyes, looking as though she was speaking out loud to help her think. “She was so careful I used to tell her she went overboard. Nothing was ever in her house that had even been processed in the same factory with peanuts. If she needed to special-order items she would. No. I just can’t imagine her accidentally eating something with peanuts or peanut oil in it.”

He wasn’t sure why, but Jace believed her. Jace had learned long ago to trust his instincts. He was uneasy. If Sarah had not ingested something tainted by accident, then it had been placed there deliberately. The question reverberating around his mind was who would do such a thing.

He parked the car, and they strode into the hospital. Jace caught Melanie’s elbow as they crossed the wet parking lot. She gave him a startled glance.

“It’s slippery out here,” he explained defensively. Yeah, right.

She quirked her eyebrow but said nothing.

They hadn’t gone more than a dozen steps when a voice called out to them. Jace tried to ignore the speaker, but it was too late. Of course he would have to run into Senator Travis now. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Mrs. Travis had been in the hospital for over a week now. It was only natural that her husband would visit her. Still, the timing was lousy. Not that any time would be convenient. Senator Travis had rubbed him the wrong way since he had been elected to the state senate. He was rude and arrogant, and Jace had noted that he had broken many of his campaign promises within months of getting elected. In Jace’s mind, that showed a lack of integrity.

“Lieutenant Tucker! I need a moment of your time!”

Resigned, Jace motioned for Melanie to stop.

“Wait here. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

He made his way over to where Senator Joe Travis was waiting impatiently. The senator’s eyes slid past him and landed on Melanie. Jace’s spine stiffened in annoyance when the older man’s lips curled in a derisive sneer.

“Looks like you got short straw today, son, escorting the likes of her around town.”

Jace refused to comment. However he might feel about it, it was his duty, and he would do it without complaint.

“You wanted to talk with me, Senator Travis?”

The senator whipped his face back around to glare at Jace.

“I want to know when you’re going to get around to doing your duty. Someone broke into my house last night!” The senator seemed to swell with righteous anger.

“Was anything taken?”

The man hesitated. “Nothing really valuable. A few things here and there. Some pictures. Some of my wife’s jewels.”

“Not all of her jewels?”

“No. The thief left some of the older pieces that my wife inherited from her mother. Must not have known how valuable they are.”

“Okay, here’s what you need to do. Go to the station and file a report, listing the items stolen and their approximate value. Be as specific as you can.” Jace bit back a smile. Senator Travis practically vibrated with frustration.

“You can’t take my statement now? I’m a very busy man!” The senator narrowed his eyes, a sly expression creeping onto his face. “Or are you letting our local ex-con charm her way into your life? Be careful, she’s a clever one. Good thing my son came to his senses.”

Any thought Jace might have had of helping the man fled. The implication that he would be so easily manipulated, that he lacked the sense and the willpower to maintain control over himself, was more insulting than the senator could have realized. And it triggered painful memories that he did not care to revisit. Ever.

“Sorry, sir. No time today.” Before the senator could respond, he swiftly headed back to where Melanie was waiting with a wary expression. Without slowing, he grabbed her arm above the elbow and pulled her along with him.

“Don’t look back. Whatever you do, don’t look back. He might come after us.”

“Okay, I won’t look,” Melanie assured him, gasping as she was dragged to the hospital entrance.

Once inside, they were directed to the waiting room. Jace pretended to read the newspaper as he sat. In reality, he watched Melanie. She was staring out the window, her eyes slightly unfocused. The light coming in caught in her hair, giving off reddish highlights. There were still a few shards of glass there, glistening. He had the urge to walk over and pick them out. Her porcelain-smooth complexion was marred only by the pensive line on her brow. Until she turned her head slightly and the light fell on an inch-long cut. He remembered the rock that had been thrown at her earlier. It had been his duty to protect her. He had failed.

She hardly seemed aware of the cut. Every expression, every gesture, showed nothing but anxiety over her aunt. Gazing at her and seeing how worried she was, remembering how she had turned to the Bible for consolation, he found it incredible that she was capable of the crimes she had been accused of. Doubt slithered across his mind. He quickly shoved it aside. The evidence had been there. True, it was mostly circumstantial. There were no DNA matches, no incriminating fingerprints. But he knew from experience that an appealing face and charming manners could be deceptive.

Jace shook his head fiercely. He refused to second-guess himself. If he did, he would go insane. So she had been careful at the scene. But she had been there when Sylvie died. She couldn’t deny that fact, even if she couldn’t remember exactly what had happened that day. Melanie had admitted that she and Sylvie planned to meet at the dorm the day of the younger girl’s death. According to Melanie’s testimony, she didn’t know why Sylvie had contacted her, asking to meet. Sylvie was a freshman, and Melanie, at twenty-one, was in her last semester of the dental hygienist program. The two had no overlap in their coursework or in their friends, no reason to be in contact—except for the drugs that Sylvie took and that they had every reason to believe Melanie sold her. Tainted drugs that killed Sylvie and left Melanie responsible for her death. Eyes narrowing, he resumed his observance of his charge.

Melanie leaned her head against the cold window and closed her eyes. He saw her sigh, then her lips began moving. It was almost as though she was talking, but not a sound issued from her mouth. Could she be praying? As much as he wanted to scoff at the idea, the memory of her sitting reading her Bible was firmly implanted in his brain. It couldn’t have been staged. She had no way of knowing he would come searching for her. And the Bible had looked far too natural in her hands.

Melanie opened her eyes and turned her head. Their eyes met, and all thoughts fled. He could feel the electricity sparking between them.

“Lieutenant Tucker? Miss Swanson?”

Both occupants in the waiting room startled.

A doctor stood in the doorway. He glanced between them, a serious expression on his lined face.

Jace quickly rose to his feet. Melanie, he noticed, watched the doctor almost fearfully. Her aunt was all she had, Jace realized. A rush of sympathy unexpectedly filled him. When she stepped next to him, he reached out and squeezed her hand briefly before dropping it again. Blood heated his face as she looked at him, shocked. What on earth had come over him? He took a step away from her.

The doctor cleared his throat.

“I’m Dr. Jensen, the physician in charge of Mrs. Swanson’s care. Mrs. Swanson has regained consciousness,” he informed them. Melanie’s shoulders sagged as the tension melted from her. Tears filled her eyes. “She’s groggy, and we’ll need to observe her overnight. She is asking to see you.”

* * *

Melanie fought back tears as she gazed down at her aunt’s withered frame. The years had not been kind to her. Melanie remembered how strong she had seemed to Melanie when she was a child. How old she appeared now! Her once-thick white hair had thinned, leaving patches of scalp visible. Her face was gaunt, the skin stretched taut against her high cheekbones. Her eyes were sunken into the sockets. Her aunt’s whole body appeared fragile. The robust woman who had raised her since her mother’s death had completely disappeared. Melanie knew most of the changes in her aunt were due to the stress of Melanie’s arrest. The reddened lids lifted, and Mel found herself staring into sharp blue eyes.

“Mel,” the old woman whispered, her voice crackling like dry leaves.

Melanie swallowed. She had come so close to losing this dear woman. Reaching out, she took her aunt’s frail hand in hers.

“Aunt Sarah,” she said huskily. “I was so scared. How do you feel?”

“Don’t you worry about me, Melly girl. I’m just relieved to see you safe.”

Melanie gave Lieutenant Tucker a startled glance. Her confusion was mirrored on his face.

“What do you mean, Mrs. Swanson? Why wouldn’t your niece be safe?”

Sarah Swanson narrowed her eyes at him. Mel could almost feel her aunt’s distrust. Not that she could blame her. After all, he had led her niece away in handcuffs all those years ago.

Now was not the time, though, to harbor grudges.

“Aunt Sarah, if something’s going on, you have to tell Lieutenant Tucker,” she insisted. “There’s more at stake here than my reputation.”

The lieutenant nodded. “Melanie’s right. I need to know what’s going on.”

“Melly, one of the jurors came to see me,” Sarah whispered. “She was so scared. Terrified. Said that she and at least one of the other jurors had received threatening phone calls and letters during the trial.”

“Threats?” Lieutenant Tucker stepped closer. “What kind of threats?”

Sarah coughed and closed her eyes. “They were told to vote guilty or else. The young woman, Alayna Brown, I think, was worried that whoever it was would go after her parents.”

“Aunt Sarah.” Melanie kept her voice soft, soothing. “You said another juror was threatened, too. Do you know who? Did she say?”

“No, dear.” The old woman opened her eyes and pierced Melanie with her gaze. “She said that her conscience was killing her. She was afraid that she’d helped to jail an innocent woman and keep a killer free. I think she was worried that whoever wanted you in prison so bad would come after you now that you were free.”

Melanie felt the horror sink into her soul. Would this never end? All she wanted was to try to put her life back together. Somehow, she had found herself in the middle of something dark.

Something deadly.

A footstep stopped outside the door. Melanie frowned, and craned her neck to see who was at the door. When she saw the empty doorway, she shook her head. Great. Now she was hearing things.

“Mrs. Swanson,” Lieutenant Tucker addressed her aunt gently, “I’m going to ask for someone to guard your door during your stay. I’ll do my best to find out who’s behind this. Please trust me.”

“Melly,” the old lady wheezed urgently.

“I’ll protect her, Mrs. Swanson. With my life if necessary.” He leaned over and placed a hand over Sarah’s. When he straightened, he took out his phone and motioned to Melanie that he was going to be right outside the door. She nodded her understanding. She tried to focus her attention on her aunt, but found herself listening in on the lieutenant’s side of the conversation.

“Sir, I know we have limited resources. There needs to be someone here with the aunt. Yes, sir. I believe she’s in danger.”

Melanie’s throat constricted. Poor Aunt Sarah! She had never done anyone harm, and now she had been targeted. Melanie knew this whole mess was her fault.

“I can keep an eye on the niece. We just need cover for the aunt.”

Her face heated at the idea of spending so much time with the irritating lieutenant. She remembered his look of contempt back at the house. He didn’t even care that she insisted she was innocent. Even if she had been guilty, she wasn’t the same woman who went to jail four years ago. Not that Lieutenant Tucker would ever believe her.

“Melanie, child.” Aunt Sarah’s whispery voice broke into her reverie.

“Yes, Aunt Sarah?”

“Sing for me. Please. It’s been so long since I heard you sing.”

Melanie’s breathing hitched. She had forgotten how much her aunt had loved to listen to her. Deliberately, she chose a French aria that she knew her aunt loved. As she sang, she allowed her eyes to close, losing herself in the music. When she opened them again, her gaze was caught by a pair of blue eyes. Lieutenant Tucker had returned, and was staring at her with his jaw dropped.

Embarrassed, she rose awkwardly to her feet.

Lieutenant Tucker straightened and nodded. “Let’s go.”

With a grimace, Melanie said goodbye to Aunt Sarah, promising to visit again soon, and then followed him out. She hadn’t realized how tall he was. But now, trying to keep up with his long strides, she realized he was a good eight or nine inches taller than her own five feet four inches. By the time they had reached the parking lot, she was almost jogging to keep up. What was his hurry? She didn’t remember him walking so fast earlier.

Irritated, she stopped. She planted her fists firmly on her slim hips. And waited.

Lieutenant Tucker was about twenty feet ahead of her when he slowed and glanced around. His expression grew as dark as a thundercloud. He fixed the fiercest glare Melanie had ever seen on her, and she resisted the urge to take a step back. Instead, she lifted her chin, and gave him what she hoped was a defiant scowl.

“What are you playing at, Melanie?” he demanded.

“I’m not going to run after you,” she tossed back at him. “My legs are shorter than yours.”

He huffed. “Of all the—”

A sudden squeal of tires cut off whatever he was about to say. A dark four-door sedan came barreling around the corner of the parking lot. It was headed right for her!

Melanie stood, frozen, filled with the certainty that she was going to die.

Lieutenant Tucker rammed into her with enough force to send her flying six feet before she slammed into the pavement. She lay still for a couple of seconds before sitting up, wincing. The lieutenant was already calling the incident in on the radio clipped to his shoulder. He didn’t get a good look at the license plate, she heard him say.

“We need to look over the security tapes before we leave,” he informed her. “Whoever that was almost killed us with their recklessness. There’s no excuse for accidents like that to happen.”

Melanie was silent. Part of her wondered if it really had been an accident.

* * *

“Do we know where we’re going?” Mel inquired. They had been driving in silence for ten minutes.

“Of course I know,” Lieutenant Tucker replied, his expression bordering on smug. After a few seconds, Mel realized he wasn’t planning on saying anything more.

“Well, could you tell me where?”

“I could. Don’t know why I should, though. You’re a civilian.”

Mel sputtered in confusion. “Well, because... Jace!” She nearly yelled the last as she caught his satisfied smirk. Then her face reddened as she realized she had slipped up and called him by his first name. “I mean Lieutenant.”

“Jace is fine.”

She gave him her most mutinous glare.

He relented. “Fine. We’re going to an apartment complex on Sassafras Street. That’s Alayna Brown’s last known address.”

Startled, Melanie couldn’t help asking, “You mean you’re going to let me talk to her?”

He shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well,” Melanie said, “if you’re investigating the threats—which you are, right?” Jace nodded. “Then is it okay for me to be there? I mean, it’s not like I’m a police officer.”

Jace’s derisive snort in response irritated her, but she stayed quiet, waiting for him to answer. “You’re right that I usually wouldn’t bring a civilian along while I went to take someone’s statement,” he said at last. “But these are unusual circumstances. You seem to be in danger. I promised my chief I would look after you. I have to question Alayna, and I can’t leave you unsupervised, which means you have to go where I go. And anyway, your aunt said that Alayna was worried about you. She might be more willing to talk if you’re there.”

Satisfied, and more than a little apprehensive, Melanie sat back and allowed the silence to swallow them as Jace turned off the interstate and headed toward the city limits.

“Your voice is incredible.”

Taken aback, her eyes swiveled back to Jace. His expression clearly said he hadn’t meant to tell her that. In fact, he refused to glance her way.

“Thank you.” Really, what else was there to say?

“That was an unusual song choice.”

Jace apparently hated mysteries of any kind.

“My aunt has loved that song forever. I grew up listening to it. It only made sense to learn to sing it.” She shrugged. She had never really given thought to her talent. It was just something she enjoyed doing. Truth be known, she often found herself singing without being aware of it. That habit had gotten her into trouble more than once.

It took them a while to find the exact apartment complex. Some of the buildings were so old and poorly maintained that the apartment numbers had long ago vanished. Negligent landlords had failed to replace them. It was just starting to mist when they finally pulled into the parking lot. Melanie grimaced before exiting the vehicle to join Jace. It wasn’t that she minded the rain. She loved the rain. What she didn’t love was being cold. Who knew how long it would be before she could change into dry clothes?

A snort made her look at her companion. The sardonic twist of his lips told her clearly he knew what she was thinking.

“Deal with it, Melanie. I need you to stay with me.”

Melanie stuck her tongue out as she followed him. Childish. But it made her feel better.

They knocked on Alayna’s door without success. Five minutes later, all levity vanished. An older woman in curlers came out to watch.

“You won’t get an answer,” she mentioned casually.

“Oh?” Jace gave her a professional smile. One that gave nothing away.

“Nah, haven’t seen her around in a week. Super’s getting steamed. She owes him rent.” Her voice rang with relish.

Jace went and got the landlord to let them into the apartment. As soon as the door opened, the stench hit them like a wave. The gag reflex was immediate. Without being told, Melanie knew what they would find.

As it swung inward, she looked inside, then bolted to the stairwell, retching and gasping.

Jace found her there a few minutes later.

“Was that her?” she whimpered.

His face pale and grim, he nodded.

“How?”

He hesitated. “Stabbed. Several times. Come on. The air is fresher outside. I need to call for backup.” It would be the second time that day. Quite a record for a small town in rural Pennsylvania.

* * *

Melanie was waiting for Jace forty-five minutes later when loud footsteps alerted her that someone was coming toward her. She knew it wasn’t Jace. His footsteps were quieter. Brisker. Jace did everything with purpose. These footsteps sounded as though whoever was coming over was stomping. Almost as if he were angry.

She turned her head as another lieutenant approached her. Yep. He looked angry. He had a sneer on his face. Uh-oh. She could sense trouble. Where was Jace?

“So, Miss Melanie Swanson. Funny finding you at yet another crime scene.” Contempt dripped from his voice.

“I had nothing to do with this.”

He curled his lip and gave her the once-over, making her skin crawl.

“I just think it’s odd that one of the jurors who put you behind bars is dead, and you just happen to be the one to find her.” He narrowed his eyes at her, challenging her.

Lord Jesus, please not again, she prayed. I don’t have the strength to do this again.

“Leave her alone, Dan.” Jace approached them, focusing his ice-blue eyes on the younger lieutenant. “I’m the one who found the body, not her. And she was nowhere near here when Miss Brown was murdered.”

The lieutenant reddened, flashing an angry stare at Mel.

“She could’ve still been involved. You know things like that happen.”

Jace scoffed. “Do you really think someone who’s smart enough to pull off an inside job would be dumb enough to show up at the crime scene?”

“I still say it’s suspicious.”

“I know you’ve only been with us for a couple of months, Lieutenant Willis, but you need to understand how things are done here. We don’t harass civilians, no matter what they have in their past. I don’t care what they would have done in Pittsburgh.”

Dan’s face hardened into an ugly mask. “At least in Pittsburgh we don’t let known criminals tag along on investigations.”

Jace narrowed his cold eyes at the belligerent man. “Have you got a problem with me, Lieutenant? Because I can send you back to the station for desk duty anytime you want.”

Dan straightened.

“No, sir.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, we need to process this crime scene with objectivity. If you can’t handle that, I’ll have the chief send me someone who can.” Jace folded his arms and waited. His stance made it plain to all that he meant what he said.

Dan lowered his eyes. “Yes, sir. I mean. I can do it, sir.”

“Good.” Jace nodded briskly. “I want you to return to the scene and start interviewing other residents. Find out if anyone saw or heard anything. The apartment was trashed, like a robbery gone bad, but I’m not buying it.”

Dan turned to follow his orders. Before he walked away, he glared at Melanie. She shivered at the sheer malevolence in his stare.

With very real fear, she knew that things had gotten a whole lot worse.