Page 82 of Release You

“Ma’am. He hasn’t played anything yet. How do you know the recording is a lie?” the officer in charge asked.

The scratchy static came through the speakerphone loud and clear before Tessa spoke. A dozen cops shuffled closer when Jonathan spoke. Jonathan never said he killed his brother, but there was enough in there to assume he was guilty one wayor another. All eyes were on the two of them when Francesca’s whimpering echoed in the tunnel. By the looks on everyone’s faces, this recording was enough to create reasonable doubt for Lisa. But we needed a confession. Lisa needed a confession.

I turned to face Jonathan. “It’s time you told the truth.”

“Don’t say a word,” Francesca said, her jaw clenched. “Our love is strong. We will get through this. I promise.”

“Seriously?” I stepped closer to her. “Because a few minutes ago, you were ready to run away with Henry. Is this how you felt about his dad too? Where in the world did you get this delusional idea that he could want you? Gross.” The thought made me want to puke.

“Jon” was all she said.

I sat on my heels, swallowing hard to find the strength to talk sweetly to this asshole. “Darling, it’s time to do the right thing. Don’t you think?” Vomit rose in my throat, but I pressed on with my hand on his. “Tell me what happened that day. How did James Cavalier die?”

Jonathan closed his one good eye. Tears rolled down a swollen and reddish cheek before he finally uttered the truth. “Francesca hit him in the head.”

I envied Henry. He got to punch this spineless jerk. “Why did you move the body? And don’t give me that bullshit about how you did it to save Henry and me. You did it to give her an alibi, didn’t you? And then you went back and closed off the tunnel entrance in the hotel. And all the other ones that led to the manor.” My soothing voice turned to a demanding one.

“I love you, Jonathan. Don’t do this,” Francesca whispered next to him. Her face finally showed a speck of fear. She’d done the math, and she knew she’d lost this war.

She lost to the Morrow girls.

Jonathan nodded. “After we sedated Tessa, Francesca left through the tunnels and met Mrs. Blaine for tea. It wasn’t hardto confuse her and make her tell the cops she’d been with Francesca for hours and not just a few minutes.”

“That’s why you moved the body. If the police didn’t know about the tunnels, they would have no reason to question her alibi.” It all made sense now.

Francesca grunted, slamming her body against the wall. “You pathetic excuse for a husband. After all I’ve done for you. Tell them the truth. Tell them how I did it for you. You were relieved to see your brother gone. Tell them.” She yelled. “You were tired of living in his shadow. Perfect James Cavalier…I did it all for you.”

Jonathan hung his head. Tears dribbled on his dress shirt, and I almost felt sorry for him. He lifted his head to look at Francesca. “You killed him because he wouldn’t love you. Because he kicked us out.”

No doubt for years, he told himself a different truth to justify what they did to James’s family and mine. But the truth was much simpler—greed. She’d done it for money and the crazy-ass idea that someone like Henry’s dad could love something like Francesca.

“You two disgust me.” I nodded to the officer before I stood. He jerked into action and read Jonathan his rights as he cuffed him. I tapped on the phone and put it against my ear. “Tell me they’re going to be in jail for a hundred years.”

“I’ve counted at least five criminal charges, so I’m sure I can get pretty close,” Dom said. “How’re you doing, doll?”

“I’m tired. How long before Lisa is out?”

“A few days. I’ll let you know when it’s done. Now go get some rest. You sound worse than what Henry looked like when I saw him earlier today, or was it last night?”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Don’t mention it. And good job getting a confession out of Jonathan.” He hung up.

In a daze, I trudged out of the tunnel. It was all over. I took a couple of steps, fell in a heap at the bottom of the grand staircase, and rested my head on the banister. My legs and arms dropped to the side like they weighed a ton.

A pair of boots came into my line of sight next to my shoes. Rubbing my temple, I glanced up and met Russ’s gaze and his eager smile. I blinked to ease the stinging in my eyes and found I couldn’t open them again.

“You need to rest. Let’s take you upstairs. I’m sure Henry won’t mind if you stay in his old room tonight.” He hooked his arm under my elbow and lifted me to my feet. I let him usher me upstairs, down the hallway, and into one of the bedrooms. “Okay. I think this is it. I’ve only been up here once.” He made a sound like a chuckle. “But this looks right. In you go.”

Henry’s bedroom was exactly how I remembered it. A large poster bed with intricate wood carvings on the headboard was the main focal point of the room. A sitting area facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Tessa’s garden completed the eighteenth-century chamber.

The pale green wallpaper had seen better days, and so had the carpet. Most of the damage had been done when Henry lived here, when we’d spent hours in the garden and then tracked mud all over his bedroom. Francesca would make me clean it up every time. But I hadn’t cared because that meant more time with Henry.

“I ran the shower for you,” Russ said. “I don’t know where anything is, but I’m sure there’ll be some soap in there somewhere.” He pointed at my face.

If my face looked as gross as it felt, I definitely needed a shower. “Thanks, Russ.”

“You need anything, just call. I can be here in ten minutes flat.” He gave me a little curtsy before he closed the door behindhim.

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