Page 35 of Little Stolen Memories

He laced his hands together on top of his desk and said, “So, what’s with the guy you just brought in? What’s his story?”

“Danny rented and lived in a cabin close to where the teens were killed. He was questioned back then, but today I found out he omitted a few things from the story he originally told police.”

“Why?”

“He’s the type of person who thinks everyone has it out for him. And given he doesn’t have much faith in law enforcement, he says he was scared to tell the truth.”

“What is the truth?”

“In Danny’s original statement, he said he’d never seen any of the teens before, but he had. The night they were murdered, he was in the forest. It was getting dark, and as he was heading back to his cabin, he tripped over Cora’s body. He claims he thought she was dead. He walked a little farther and found one of the boys. I believe it was Jackson.”

“And Danny didn’t report any of it?”

I shook my head. “He went back to his cabin, locked the door, and spent the night worrying a madman was going around murdering people in the area, and he was next.”

“A madman was going around murdering people in his area. Seems a bit strange to withhold something as big as that, whether you’re a fan of the law or not.”

“According to him, he thought the cops would find a way to convict him for the murders if he spoke up. He said it wasn’t unusual for innocent people to be incarcerated, and he didn’t want to be one of those cases.”

Foley bounced a pencil off his desk, thinking. “Why tell the truth now?”

“Let’s just say I was good at convincing him it was the right thing to do.”

“What do you think about his new story? You think he’s being honest, or is the guy still lying?”

“I believe he came across the teens like he said. Beyond that, I don’t know what to think. After he admitted the truth, he seemed relieved to get it off his chest after all this time. Doesn’t mean he’s innocent though.”

“Right. No matter how you look at it, he withheld evidence, he lied to the police. He broke the law. We could still charge him.”

“I know. You don’t have to charge him though. Not yet. Right?”

Foley raised a brow. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t know. I shouldn’t, but I do. The point is for us to solve the case. His information might help. I guess there’s something to be said for his confession, even if it is a little late.”

“A little? I wouldn’t call two decades a little anything. Maybe an honest confession back then wouldn’t have made a difference in the case, but what if it had?”

“I don’t see how it would have changed anything. I could be wrong. Have you spoken to my mother today?”

His eyes narrowed. “I see what you’re doing.”

I was changing the subject, because if I didn’t, I got the impression we would go ’round and ’round about Danny, and I didn’t see the point.

“Well, have you?” I pressed.

“I don’t have any interest in discussing Darlene right now, or her ridiculous expectations.”

“Whitlock and Harvey came to see me last night to let me know they’re planning to work the case together. I noticed Harvey isn’t around, though.”

“No, he is not. If Whitlock wants to run around town with Harvey on his own time, fine. I understand Harvey’s investment in this case, but he’s retired. He doesn’t belong here at the department, questioning people.”

I was disappointed.

I thought Foley would have been more open to the idea of allowing them to work together. Harvey wasn’t asking to help investigate just any murder. He was asking to investigate an old case—one where he had a lot of skin in the game.

“Have you told Harvey how you feel?” I asked.

“I have, and he understands. It’s your mother who’s taking issue with my decision. It’s one thing to have Harvey step in and assist Whitlock. It’s another to have your mother think it’s all right to insert herself where she doesn’t belong.”

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