Page 62 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“I don’t have to guess for myself. I have, but it was hard. My grandparents have always been about forgiveness. Holding bitterness, unforgiveness against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I’ve heard that warning my whole life. When I was a kid, the phrase gave me an oversized fear of drinking poison. I expected if I ever did, all my insides would leak out and I’d die in a puddle. I think because of that, I can say I’ve forgiven your dad completely. It’s finding out where my folks are that has me in knots.”

“I hope he’ll tell you what you want to know. Come over after work. Ask him whatever you want.”

They made their plans. After lunch Hanna went back to the station. It was a quiet day. She stopped at Terry’s office. “You saw my note about the talk I had with Chase after the bar fight?”

“I did.”

“What is your read?”

Terry shrugged. “I can’t see Everett killing his son. Chase is an unknown to me.”

“He didn’t seem to like the idea of Scott taking Braden.”

“That could be motive.”

“I think so too. Although I can’t see Chase using poison. He’smore of a direct kind of guy. Any luck with the security cameras at the airfield?”

Terry rubbed his eyes. “Not so far. I decided to go back to the last time he flew the plane. No one used his coffee machine but him. Maybe someone tampered with the coffee awhile before the day he flew.”

“Good idea.”

“I’ve been everywhere I can go, talked to everyone I could. People liked Scott. Sure, some businessmen didn’t, but that’s just normal.” He took a deep breath. “The only viable suspect is Chase.”

“We know Chase is not a flight risk. Even if we talk to him and he is the killer, he’ll deny it. We need more evidence. I wish we had that coffee container.”

“Me too.”

“Keep at it. And remember, if you need help, ask.” Hanna went back to her office, listening to the chatter on the radio.

Like Everett had said, the fire was winding down. Her reserve officers who’d been helping were back in town, ready for their normal shifts. She had a note to call the city attorney about an upcoming hearing concerning the Jude Carver lawsuit. She also wanted to call Nathan and check on his progress with Edda’s case. There was a BOLO out for Edda’s car. Other than the ongoing drought and the fact that a man she hadn’t seen in her whole life was in her guest room, everything was slowly returning to normal.

Would Joe tell Mandy what she wanted to know? Hanna prayed that he would. She had no way to force him to do the right thing. When it was time to go home, Hanna texted Mandy and told her she was leaving.

I’ll be at your house in a few minuteswas her answer.

Hanna still beat her there. She walked into the front door expecting Gizmo to wiggle in and out between her legs. There was no dog.

“Grace?” Hanna called out.

“Yes?” Grace stepped out of the guest room. Hanna could hear a television show coming from the room.

“Where’s Gizmo?”

“In here with Joe. Is that okay?”

“Ah, yeah.” Hanna stepped in the doorway. Joe was sitting up in bed, with Gizmo curled up at his feet. The dog looked up and thumped his tail but made no effort to move.

Joe gazed up at her, looking alert and awake. He smiled.

“Hello, Hanna.” His voice was raspy and weak, as if it took every breath to form a word.

The photo from the book flashed in Hanna’s thoughts. The hair was thinner, and the mustache was gone, but it was the same smile.

“Do you feel better?”

“I do. Thank you for letting me come here. You look so much like your mother.” He paused. It seemed as if each word took a lot of effort. “You’re prettier though.”

Hanna didn’t respond, not sure how she should.

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