Page 67 of Little Stolen Memories

“When the police interviewed your family, your mother said you were with her the night Jackson and the others died,” I said. “I read it in the police file. Is that true?”

“I was at home all night, just like she said.”

“Funny thing about parents … many will do anything to protect their child whether they’re guilty or innocent.”

“Is that why you’re here—to accuse me of murdering five people?”

And attempted murder of a sixth.

“I haven’t accused you of anything.” I pointed at the sleeve of his shirt. “You’ve got what looks like a reddish stain on your shirt sleeve, at the bottom, by the cuff.”

Ty raised his wrist, staring at what I’d just pointed out. “I don’t know what that is or how it got there.”

I steered the conversation in a more pointed direction.

“Must have been hard for Cora, to be the only one to survive the attack,” I said. “She’s lucky to be alive … gone but not forgotten.”

Gone but not forgotten, the words left on the cabin wall.

I wondered how he’d react when he heard them.

But he had no reaction, none at all.

“I was relieved when I heard Cora survived,” he said. “She was a nice person, from what I remember about her, at least.”

“I took a trip up to the cabin yesterday where it all happened. There was a message written on one of the bedroom walls. And sure, I suppose it could be old. But I think it’s new. I think the killer is still around. He’s sent a message to Cora to incite fear, to make sure she knows he knows she’s still alive.”

“Huh, I’m surprised. I heard the family hasn’t been to the cabin for years. Students go up there on a dare from time to time. They’re convinced the cabin is haunted. You know how stories like that go. Everyone’s always curious about a murder house.”

“I suppose they are.”

“You want to know what’s crazy about it all? Detectives came to my house back then because they considered me a suspect. Me, someone who’s never been in an altercation in his life.”

“But you have been in an altercation … with Jackson.”

Ty rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t count.”

“Doesn’t it?” I asked.

“He didn’t get hurt.” Ty leaned over his desk, grabbed a stack of papers, and stuffed them into a worn, brown-leather satchel dangling off the side of his desk chair. “If there’s nothing else … I need to get going.”

“I suppose I’ve troubled you enough for now.”

“For now? What? You think I’m a suspect too?”

“Maybe. Whether you are or you aren’t, I’ll know soon enough.”

Ty slung the satchel over his shoulder, flashing me a snarky grin as he said, “You think you’re smart? You think I’m your guy? Prove it.”

I smiled back. “Oh, don’t worry. If you’re guilty, I will.”

CHAPTER 28

I was at my mother’s house, sitting on the back deck with Harvey and Whitlock, talking about my day.

“During your investigation, did any of the boys’ parents mention a gold chain their son had been given from their football coach?” I asked.

Harvey shrugged. “Shoot, I can’t remember. Was a gold chain mentioned in the case file?”

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