Page 64 of I'm Watching You

Linz. Joel’s affection for Lindsay was clear. ‘She was your friend.’

‘Yeah. She was great. And I can tell you she didn’t deserve her father’s shit. I can tell you if Frank Hines hadn’t killed himself, there were about a half dozen people in town who would have killed him. Myself included.’

Chapter Fourteen

Tuesday, July 8, 10:00A.M.

Vega and Ayden pulled up in front of Ruby Dillon’s small brick house, located just a couple of miles east of Richmond International Airport. Crabgrass covered the front lawn, but there was a stack of neatly piled bricks, as if someone was planning to fix the place up. There were three cars parked out front. By the looks of the property, several people lived there.

This was Vega’s neck of the woods. He’d grown up in the east end of the county. His old man had worked for one of the airlines and his mom had taught math at Highland Springs High School. His little brother, Michael, was a cornerback on the same school’s football team. Both his folks were active in the church.

As Vega and Ayden got out of the car, a jet engine roared over their heads. Vega glanced up at the sky. He’d never gotten used to the noise. His roots were in this part of New Kent County, but he’d chosen to live twenty miles east in a rural section.

They strode to the front porch. Rap music blared from inside the tiny house. The music was so loud that Vega could feel the bass in his chest.

Ayden rang the bell. ‘My boys like this crap. I bet they’re cranking it just as loud at my house.’

‘I thought they were going to summer school.’

‘The oldest is. The younger one works afternoons at a hardware store.’

‘They doing all right?’

Ayden frowned. ‘We’re all still stumbling through the motions. Carol has been gone a year and a half and we still can’t get our shit together.’ He pounded on the door. This time a dog started to bark.

‘At least the dog knows we’re here,’ Vega said.

The sound of locks unlatching followed. Ruby Dillon opened the door. She wore a brown and orange uniform. Vega and Ayden knew that she worked as a nurse’s aid at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. They pulled out their shields as she faced them.

Ruby frowned and then turned to shout, ‘Brianna, turn that music down!’ After a second’s pause, the music stopped. She didn’t open the screen door. ‘You come about that dead man, I suppose.’

Ayden nodded. ‘Yes, ma’am. We’d like to ask you some questions.’

Her jaw set. ‘I spoke to two other detectives yesterday. I’ve told them all that I know.’

‘We’ve got a few more questions, if you don’t mind,’ Vega said.

Ruby pursed her lips. ‘I do mind, as a matter of fact. I’ve got to get to work.’

The woman looked familiar to Vega. He’d bet money she knew his mother through the church. His motherknew everyone in this part of the county. ‘Excuse me for asking, but do you know Rita Vega?’

Ruby eyed him. ‘Maybe I do.’

Vega smiled. He was good at shooting the shit and getting people to warm up. ‘You go to Third Baptist?’

‘I do.’

‘Thought so. My parents attend. Mom’s been a fixture there for twenty years.’

Ruby’s frown softened. ‘You’re one of Rita’s boys?’

‘I am.’

Her stance relaxed. ‘I haven’t seen Rita in a few weeks. How she doing?’

‘Fine. My brother, Michael, is giving her fits. He gets his driver’s license in a week and can’t wait to drive. Dad swears his heart won’t be able to take Michael driving.’

Ruby chuckled. ‘Michael’s a good boy. Full of piss and vinegar, but he’s good. Rita and George will get a handle on him.’ She was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Your mama was one of the few that was nice to me when I got released from jail. She even took Brianna shopping for her prom dress this spring.’

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