Читать книгу A Texas Family - Linda Warren - Страница 13

CHAPTER THREE

ASA DIDN’T FEEL well and went to bed early. Aunt Fran gave him something to help him rest, so Carson didn’t get a chance to talk to him. The next morning Asa was still asleep when Carson had to take the kids to school, but he told his aunt to call when Asa was up. He wasn’t sure how to confront his father, considering the man’s mental state, which was precarious, but he had to do it.

He had a sick ache in the pit of his stomach at what had been done to Jena Brooks. For he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her baby had been taken by his father. He just couldn’t figure out why, especially since Asa didn’t believe the baby was Jared’s.

A life for a life, his dad had told her. Could that mean...? He couldn’t even finish the thought in his head. What kind of a monster would kill an innocent newborn? Not one he wanted to be related to.

There had to be an answer somewhere. There were other people involved in this, and the only way to find out who, was to look through Bernard Milliner’s files, as he had been the constable at the time. Since Jared’s case was a murder, the sheriff’s office would have handled the investigation, but it happened in Bernie’s precinct, and he would have been there on the scene of both murders.

When Carson reached his office, he started looking through the files. His office was filled with regular office equipment and filing cabinets. He also had a small storage room that housed old files. Nothing much happened in Willow Creek, but all cases were documented, and the records went back over fifty years.

He found the paper work and sat down to read. Jared’s body had been found by Roland at 8:12 p.m. on a Thursday. Bernie had a note jotted on the side: Asa sent Roland to look for Jared when he didn’t come home. Carson already knew this. He had been able to fly home three days after the murder, and Asa was still ranting and raving about revenge. Carson had asked the doctor to give him something to calm him. But Asa had still been frighteningly angry. To him, it seemed Lamar’s death wasn’t enough. He wanted more. Did he get what he wanted?

It had been a horrific time, and Carson didn’t look forward to the thought of reliving it. To find answers, though, he had to go back.

Lamar Brooks was found at his house at 6:05 a.m. the next morning. Just like Jared, he’d been killed with a shotgun blast to the chest as he got out of his truck. Asa was the logical suspect, but ballistics could not match the gun with Asa’s. The murder weapon had never been found and neither had the murderer. What a mess.

The door opened and his friend Levi Coyote strolled in with two cups of coffee. “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a week, so I thought I’d stop by for a minute. I even brought coffee.” He and Levi had been friends since they were kids. Along with Ethan James, another friend, they’d been as inseparable as brothers growing up. Ethan was a detective in Austin and Levi was now a private investigator, but their roots ran deep in Willow Creek.

“Thanks. I could use it.” He took a sip from the disposable cup.

Levi pulled up a chair. He was a tall, muscled guy. Carson and Ethan decided a long time ago that in case of a fight it was always good to have Levi on their side.

“What’s the hangdog expression about?”

“Jena Brooks is back in town.”

“Shit.” Levi almost spit coffee all over the room. “Is her child with her?”

“No, and that’s the problem.” He told his friend what Jena had told him.

“Man, that’s quite a story.”

“Yeah, but she’s not lying. I found the bloodstain in the basement.”

Levi shook his head. “Asa’s always been a little off-kilter, but since losing Jared he’s been way off.”

“He hasn’t been able to cope with Jared’s murder, and I’m so afraid...that baby is dead.”

“If he did something so heinous, you’ll never find the body on the Bar C. It’s too big. Where would you start digging?”

“Oh, man.” He ran his hands over his face. “This is hell. I might have to arrest Asa. I can’t do that, Levi. I can’t do that to my own father.”

“Just take it slow. You’ll need more than that stain in the basement to prove Asa was involved. Start searching for info. You know people around here love to talk, and I’ll help. I’ll be away on a case today and tomorrow, but I’ll check with you when I get back.”

“Thanks.” Carson placed his hand on the papers on his desk. “I’ve been going through the murder files, and I can’t understand why Lamar would kill Jared. You were around at the time. Did he hate Jared?”

“Just the opposite. He bragged about his daughter marrying a Corbett. She’d never want for anything.”

“Did Jared ask Jena to marry him?”

“Not to my knowledge, but I remember he was crazy about her.”

“Maybe it was more about the sex than something long-term. Maybe Lamar confronted Jared and demanded he marry his daughter and one thing led to another.”

Levi shrugged. “Could be. But it was real stupid of Lamar to leave his shotgun at the scene.”

“Mmm.” Carson flipped through the files. “After my dad was ruled out as the murderer, no one else was ever questioned.”

“Nope. They closed the case and no one objected.”

“Why? That’s not normal police procedure.”

“I was clocking a lot of hours as a cop in Austin at the time, but Pop said the sheriff investigated and a Texas Ranger got involved. Then suddenly the case was closed. Like I said, no one was too concerned who killed Lamar Brooks. He’d murdered an innocent boy, and everyone felt he got what he deserved.”

“That’s not justice.” Carson had a bitter taste in his mouth that so much about what had happened back then seemed to be overlooked and easily forgotten.

Levi shrugged.

Carson shifted through the papers. “Bernie doesn’t have too much, but I’ll read through all of it, and then I’ll go to San Marcos to see what the sheriff has on the murders.”

“Don’t expect too much.” Levi crushed the cup in his hand. “The case was wrapped up quickly. My advice is to talk to Minnie again. She’s your weak link. And, of course, Asa.”

“He had a bad night. When he wakes up, I plan to confront him.”

Levi stood and aimed the cup toward the trash can. It landed perfectly. “Bam. Three points. Coffee’s on you next time.”

“You got it.” He picked up the lawyer’s card from his desk. “Ms. Brooks works for a criminal attorney now. She’s giving me a chance to find her child, and then she’s turning it over to the attorney.”

“Damn. That’s the last thing you need.”

“Yeah. Because of Pa’s involvement I can’t let her do that. I’ll have to call Ms. Brooks and ask for more time.”

“Do you think she’ll agree to that?”

“I don’t know. She seems...nice.”

“Nice?” Levi lifted an eyebrow.

“She was determined at first, but when I talked to her last night she seemed more amenable. She just wants to know what happened to her child, and I understand that. I feel for what she’s been through.”

“Oh, crap.”

“What?”

“You’re getting...hmm?” Levi’s eyes narrowed in thought. “What is that word women keep telling us we don’t have?” He snapped his fingers. “Emotions. Yeah, that’s it. You’re letting your emotions rule your head.”

“I am not!”

“This is how it starts, you know. The dance. The romance.”

Carson leaned back in his chair. “I can honestly say there will never be any romance between Ms. Brooks and me. There are a million reasons why. The number one reason is her father murdered my brother, and there’s no love strong enough to overcome that. Besides, I have no romantic interest in Ms. Brooks. My goal is to find her child and try to keep my father from being arrested.”

“What does she look like now?”

“What?” He was thrown for a second.

“She was a pretty teenager. I bet she turned into a beautiful woman.”

“I didn’t look that closely.” He frowned at his friend. “Besides, the first time I saw her, she was hurling accusations right and left, and I just wanted to get her out of my office and out of my life.”

“Good.” Levi glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run. Talk to you when I get back.”

As Levi walked out, Carson linked his hands behind his head. He had lied to his friend. He knew exactly what Jena Brooks looked like: she had sad, soulful dark eyes, dark flowing hair and a smooth curvy body that was titillating when bathed in sweat. He’d never admit that to anyone but himself. Since Beth, he hadn’t even looked at another woman, and it bothered him that he’d noticed Jena.

No, there could never be anything between him and Jena except a past they both wanted to forget.

* * *

JENA WAS ON her way back from Dripping Springs. Last night she and Hilary had talked until after midnight. Jena wanted to do something for Hilary in appreciation of everything she’d done for their mother. That led to a long discussion. Hilary didn’t want anything. She was her mother, too, she’d said. In the end, they agreed to fix up the house. It was long overdue.

Hilary wanted a buttercup-yellow house with white shutters, so Jena bought all the supplies and Hilary’s friends would do the work. In a fit of indulgence, she went ahead and bought shingles to finish the roof.

Her cell buzzed and she reached for it in the console. “Hey, Hil.”

“Did you get everything?”

“Yes. A soft yellow, just like you wanted. It’s going to look so nice with the white shutters. Are you sure the guys will do this?”

“Yes. I told them this morning, and Billy Jack said he’d bring the paint sprayer over tomorrow.”

“I went ahead and bought shingles. And we have to get new screens, but I have to measure them first.”

“Wow. You are being generous.”

“I left everything at the store for Billy Jack to pick up.”

“Good deal. I can’t wait to see the new look. I’m tired of that drab house.”

“That’s why you paint murals all over it?”

“Yes, I... Hold on. I’ve got another call.”

In a minute Hil was back. “Sis, it was Carson. He wants to see you. You didn’t give him your cell number.”

“Oh, crap. I forgot. I’ll check on Mama and then head over to his office.”

“I’ll check on Mama. You go to his office. He might have some news.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” She clicked off and felt a rush of excitement run through her. Maybe he’d talked to his father. Maybe he knew... Oh, God. Her hands grew clammy on the steering wheel.

She turned into the parking area of the constable’s office and took several deep breaths to calm herself. Grabbing her purse, she got out and stared at the building. Was it only yesterday she’d come here with every word rehearsed in her head? With every dream intact in her heart?

Opening the door, she went inside. Carson sat at his desk, reading through a big file.

“Come in,” he said. “Have a seat.” His eyes looked worried and his hair was tousled as if he’d been running his fingers through it.

She sat in a chair, placed her purse on the floor and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. Yesterday she’d been dressed in her best clothes. Today she was casual in white capris, sandals and an olive-green sleeveless top. She was thinking inane things when the most important subject was almost too painful to broach.

“Did you find the bloodstain on the basement floor?” she asked, her heart beating a steady tattoo against her ribs.

“Yes.”

“And you talked to Asa?”

“No. Sorry.” He looked up, his green eyes tortured.

She ignored that look. “You saw the stain, but for some reason you haven’t talked to your father?”

“No.”

She got up, grabbed her purse, intending to leave and call Blake right away. This was unacceptable.

But he was faster than her, blocking her path to the door. “Please, Ms. Brooks. I’m asking for more time.”

“I’ve been without my child for nine years. That’s enough time.”

“Please.”

Something in that one little word said in earnest got to her and she weakened. Or maybe it was the broad chest and wide shoulders that held her attention. A light citrus scent teased her nostrils. Swirls of brown chest hair peeped out from the V of his white shirt. Jared had had boyish good looks, but Carson had a raw masculinity that made her aware he was a man and she was a woman.

“I was going to talk to him last night, but he wasn’t feeling well and my aunt gave him a sleeping pill so he could rest. When he wakes up, I’ll try again, but you have to understand he’s not the strong domineering man you remember. He’s never gotten over Jared’s murder, and he’s very fragile in his body and in his mind.”

“I understand that.” She hitched the strap of her purse higher. “My mom is not doing well, either. She’s in her own little world. The tragedy has affected so many people, and it still lingers. My father’s murder was never solved. Either the authorities covered up for Asa or they didn’t care.”

“Could we talk about that?”

“The murders?”

“Yes. I have a lot of questions.”

She sighed. “What good will that do except to dredge up old heartaches and pain?”

“The cases were closed very quickly, and I feel there is still evidence out there to help corroborate your story.”

What was it about this man that made her see his point of view? “Okay. Okay. I’ll answer questions. Again, I might add.”

“I appreciate that.”

She turned toward the chair and noticed he was still standing by the door. “Are you afraid I’m going to sneak out?”

“Just making sure,” he replied with a half grin. The tired expression was gone from his face, and she knew he could be quite persuasive if he applied himself.

She resumed her seat, as did he. As she placed her purse back on the floor, she noticed the photo on his desk. Her nerves had been so helter-skelter when she was in the office before she hadn’t even seen it.

“Your children?” She pointed to the photo.

“Um...yeah. Trey and Claire.”

The boy had brown hair and favored Carson. The little girl was her mother all the way. She remembered Beth Corbett—a beautiful blonde. Hilary had told her about Beth’s death. That had to have been hard to lose his brother and wife within a few years.

“I’m sorry about your wife.” She felt she had to say something.

“Thank you,” he replied in a neutral tone, signaling the subject was off-limits.

He shuffled through the file. “Why did your dad shoot Jared? Was there an ongoing feud between them?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “You mean because of me?”

“Yes.” He looked up, his green eyes intense.

“It may surprise you to know that my father had no interest in my or my sister’s lives. When he learned I was pregnant, he said at least I had enough sense to sleep with someone who had money.” She clenched her hands in her lap. Her childhood had been riddled with strife. Her father had been a decent person until he started drinking. Then he became abusive. They used to dread the sound of his truck in the driveway. Their mother would get them out of their beds and hurry them outside in the dark to hide. She would then take the brunt of his drunken rage.

“Your father killing Jared makes no sense.” Carson’s voice penetrated her disturbing thoughts. “He had no motive.”

“The sheriff and his deputies made up a motive by talking to people around town. They said my dad was trying to force Jared to marry me and nothing could be further from the truth.”

“What was the truth?”

“We graduated in May and worked all summer. The baby was due the first week in October, and we wanted to save enough money to rent an apartment in Austin. Before the baby was born, we planned to run away and get married.”

“Who knew about the plan?”

“No one. I didn’t even tell Hilary. We didn’t want Asa to find out.”

“Can you prove any of this?”

“Why do I need to prove anything?”

His eyes held hers. “Because it would mean your father didn’t have a motive.”

“My father didn’t know we were getting married,” she said rather tartly.

He pulled a pad and pen forward. “Did you get a marriage license?”

“Yes. In San Marcos.”

“Did you rent an apartment?”

“Yes. In Austin.” She gripped her hands again to keep the memories at bay. “Jared was killed the day before we were to leave.”

Complete silence followed her words, and she took a moment to gather her shattered composure. Memories of that day were still very real and painful. But it was only a prelude of the misery to come.

“Mr. Corbett...”

“Could you please call me Carson?” His green eyes held hers, waiting.

“I’d rather keep this formal.” She didn’t know why she was hesitating. She just didn’t want to be on friendly terms with him.

“Willow Creek is as informal as you can get.”

“But you and I are not friends. You and I will never be friends.”

“I see,” he said in a flat tone, and for a moment she felt a twinge of guilt. But it passed quickly. He made her feel weak and she hated that. She would never be weak again.

She reached for her purse and stood. “Dredging up the murders is not the reason I’m here. My child is the only reason I came back, and your father is the only one who has the answer. You’re stalling because you know I’m right.”

He stood, too, his green eyes turning dark. “I’ve asked before, and your answer wasn’t satisfactory. Why are you coming back now? Why not eight years ago? Five years? You’ve left it rather late to play the mother card.”

“How dare you! I don’t have to explain anything to you, and I’m not answering any more questions. You have until eight o’clock tonight to speak to your father. If I don’t hear from you, I’m calling my attorney.” She turned on her heel and walked out.

In the car she was trembling so badly she had to take several deep breaths. She’d known this wasn’t going to be easy, but she’d never counted on her emotions betraying her. There was an attraction between them, very subtle, but it was there. No way was she letting her heart get involved with the enemy. And that was who Carson Corbett was—her worst enemy.

* * *

CARSON RAN BOTH hands through his hair. Son of a bitch! What had just happened? They were having a normal conversation and the next minute she was tearing into him like a cornered bobcat.

He closed the folder and jammed it back into the storage box. She was right. Dredging up the past was pointless. He had to deal with the present.

His cell buzzed and he reached for it on his belt. It was his aunt.

“Carson, your father’s awake. He’s had a late breakfast and now he’s watching TV.”

“I’ll be right there.”

He locked up the office and headed for home. Driving down the winding road to the house, he glanced at his cows feeding on new coastal hay. It had taken him years, but he’d slowly built a good-size herd again. Yet the ranch was far from what it used to be. He couldn’t afford help, so when he wasn’t doing his constable job, he worked the ranch. His life ran at a grueling pace, but it kept him from thinking.

Parking at the garages, he took a moment and then went in through the sunroom. Aunt Fran was in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher.

She looked up, her face worried. “What’s this about, Carson?”

“It’s not good.” He told her about Jena Brooks’s allegations.

“That can’t be true.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Asa wouldn’t do something like that.”

“I’m not so sure. He was out of his mind with grief.”

“I wish I could have gotten here sooner after Jared died, but I was in Australia and...”

“You know Pa. You couldn’t have changed a thing. Where is he?”

“In the den. Carson,” she called as he turned away. “Be patient.”

He nodded and walked into the large Western-style room with dark walnut paneling, leather sofas, horse sculptures and a brightly colored area rug. His father sat in his chair, watching TV, a remote in his unsteady hand.

Carson was reminded of the years he and Asa went head-to-head on just about everything. His father was a hard man, and his sons knew that better than anyone. Work was always on Asa’s mind, and he’d made sure his boys started working at an early age. Carson could remember pushing hay off the back of a truck to feed cows at six. After school, it was ranch work. Weekends were the same. Vacations were nonexistent. The only fun they’d had was hanging out with friends and playing sports. His father was the reason he’d joined the Marines. He’d had to get away to be his own man apart from his father’s insane views of life.

His father was also an unforgiving man. He could remember the time Asa beat Jared to within an inch of his life for leaving a gate open. Cows got out and Asa was furious. Carson jumped in and pulled Asa off his little brother. They’d slept in the barn that night, and the next day Asa acted as if nothing had happened. There were so many days like that. Yet through it all they’d loved their father.

But Jared’s murder had broken Asa. So much so that he’d allowed a worthless ranch hand to squander away everything he’d built. Carson shook the memories away.

“Hi, Pa.”

The chair buzzed as Asa turned it to face him.

“I need to talk to you.”

“About...what?” His robust voice was now a gravelly whisper.

There wasn’t any way to do this but to say the words. “Jena Brooks is back in town.”

“Bit-ch,” he spat, his leathery, lined face suffused with rage. “Killed...my...son. Bitch!”

“Lamar Brooks killed Jared.”

Asa heaved several deep breaths and drool ran out the corner of his mouth.

“Stay calm.” Carson handed him the washcloth on the arm of the chair.

Asa dabbed at his mouth.

“Pa, there’s more.” He hated to keep on, but if he didn’t an investigator from the sheriff’s office would. “You okay?”

Asa nodded.

Carson measured his next words. “Ms. Brooks says Minnie Voltree gave her something to induce labor in the basement of this house. That you then took her baby from her and told her to get out of town or you would kill her.”

There was no reaction on his father’s face, and Carson wondered if he’d heard what he’d said.

“Pa, she’s come back for her child.”

An evil grin spread across Asa’s face. “She...will...never...find it.”