Page 10 of Fractured Memories

Noah noted the time Daniel arrived at work and placed a question mark next to it. Brooke was shot around eleven, but that was an educated guess based on reports from neighbors who heard several gunshots that night. Felicity could never pinpoint the time any further because of her traumatic amnesia. It was possible Daniel went to Brooke’s house, shot her, and then drove to work.

But why would he? Daniel seemed genuinely distressed by his half-sister’s death. So far, Noah didn’t get the sense the man was hiding something. “Was anything bothering Brooke in the weeks before her death? Was she stressed about something?”

“She’d recently broken up with her boyfriend, Kurtis.” Daniel’s nose wrinkled. “Their relationship was back-and-forth. I was glad they called it quits.” He took another swig of his water. “Not that I’m one to talk. Mymarriage ended in a flaming disaster, but that was… never mind. It’s not important. Anyway, Brooke mentioned to me she was seeing someone new.”

Noah leaned forward. “Who?”

He shrugged. “No idea. She didn’t give me a name or any details, just that she was finally ready to move on.” Daniel twisted his water bottle and then attempted to straighten it back out again. “Other than that, I think everything with Brooke was fine. She liked her job at the bank.” He met Felicity’s gaze. “She enjoyed babysitting you and was sad that you were getting too old to be over all the time. Brooke always wanted a little sister. I think you were that for her.”

“She was special.”

“Yeah, she was.” Daniel breathed out. “Listen, I’d better get inside and take a shower. I need to catch some shut-eye before picking up my kids after school. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

“It’s fine.” Noah removed a card from his front pocket. “If you think of anything else, call me.”

“Will do.”

Noah lowered his sunglasses back over his eyes as he stepped into the blazing sunlight. Felicity kept pace beside him. When they reached the driveway, he held open the passenger-side door for before circling around the vehicle and getting inside. “What do you think?”

“I’m not sure. Daniel seemed forthright. He owns a weapon that uses the same caliber of ammo that killed Brooke, but that doesn’t mean much. Glock 19s are popular handguns.” Felicity settled her own sunglasseson her nose. “I got the impression he wasn’t fond of Kurtis.”

“Same.” Noah backed out of the driveway, heading west toward the lake and the road that would take him to the judge’s neighborhood. “You said Kurtis showed up one night, angry and yelling. Would Brooke have let him in the house after that incident?”

“She must have, since he told investigators he was there earlier in the day to pick up his stuff. Daniel confirmed their relationship was on-again-off-again. Maybe Brooke told him she was dating someone else? I’ve witnessed firsthand how he handles jealousy.”

“So let’s play that out. Kurtis comes over to pick up his things in the afternoon. He and Brooke discuss their relationship. She informs him there is someone new.”

Felicity nodded. “Brooke was shot around eleven. Maybe Kurtis comes back later that night after I’d fallen asleep. He could’ve convinced her to let him in, maybe by saying that he forgot something else, maybe simply by asking to talk. Then he shoots her.”

“It’s possible.” He tapped his thumb against the steering wheel. “We also have to consider that Brooke’s new mysterious boyfriend killed her. Maybe he didn’t like the fact that Kurtis was over earlier in the day. Was she in the habit of having boyfriends over after you’d gone to bed?”

“Not that I knew of, but I also wasn’t spending as much time with her in the months before her death. Plus, I’d arrived at the house unexpectedly.” She shrugged. “Maybe she already had plans to meet with him thatnight and figured he’d slip in and out while I was asleep. We won’t know until we identify this mystery guy. Assuming he actually exists.”

“You think Daniel was lying about him?”

“No, but Brooke was smart. Assuming her relationship with Kurtis was as volatile as Daniel claimed, maybe she fabricated the new boyfriend to make it look like she’d moved on.”

Noah turned onto a beautiful tree-lined street in a wealthier part of town. The community was gated, and according to the discreet signs posted next to the guard station, sported several swimming pools, a golf course, and children’s activities. Kurtis lived at the end of the cul-de-sac in a large ultra-modern house made of textured concrete and oversized windows.

Felicity wrinkled her nose as Noah parked in the circular drive. “Guess money doesn’t buy taste.”

Noah laughed. “Not your style, huh?”

“There is something cold about it.”

Cold was the correct descriptor. Nothing about the home was inviting, and the feeling continued once Felicity stepped inside the marble foyer at the behest of a maid who’d greeted them with a nod. A double glass staircase extended to the second floor. White flowers encased in silver vases were scattered about. Their heady scent threatened to give Noah a headache.

The maid escorted them into a formal living room with silk couches, an electric fireplace, and a view overlooking the golf course. There were no family photos or mementos anywhere. The room could’ve belonged toanyone. It had no personality. Everything, from the furnishing to the flowers, were shades of white, cream, and silver.

Footsteps against the marble preceded Kurtis Ferguson into the room. He was dressed for the golf course in a blue polo shirt and white pants. His brunette hair was expertly styled and his complexion was tan from a vacation spent in the sun.

Kurtis greeted Felicity first with a handshake. If he recognized her, it wasn’t evident from his expression. Was he simply a good actor? Or did he really not know who she was?

The maid bustled in with drinks and then removed herself from the room without a word. Kurtis ignored her presence, shook Noah’s hand, and invited them to sit. “Thank you for accommodating my packed schedule, Detective. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about Brooke.” A shadow crossed over Kurtis’s handsome face. “She was a good person and what happened to her was horrible.”

“We appreciate your help, sir.” Noah removed a small pad from the inside of his suit pocket. “For starters, can you think of anyone who might’ve wanted to hurt Brooke?”

Kurtis blew out a breath. “I’ve been thinking about it since your call… and yes, there is someone.”

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