Page 13 of Every Deadly Suspicion

“I’m sure it’s an exaggeration.” Jared didn’t want to go into how much pain the book had caused for Hanna and her mother. Marshall had self-published the tome about eight years after the incident. Hanna hated that book.

“I don’t know,” Stokes said. “Maybe the facts don’t need exaggeration. I mean, a guy kills two people, cuts them up in small pieces so they’ll never be found, and throws acid on a third man, maiming him for life. Sounds like something Hollywood would dream up. You grew up here and never read the book?”

“I read bits of it. It’s not very well written. Hanna thinks it’s all rubbish.”

“Chief Keyes?” Stokes chuckled. “See what I mean? Her dad is the killer, in prison for life, and she grows up to be the police chief. Remarkable. Hollywood stuff.” He got up, put the chair back, and walked into the other room with the book.

Remarkable.Yeah, that was Hanna. Jared thought back to the first time he had the courage to approach her in junior high, but he’d known her his whole life. She was so different from other girls their age. She’d had to be. She was always being teased about her father. One afternoon he’d caught Jude Carver and his friends tormenting her.

“Jail baby, jail baby.”

“Daddy’s a murderer. Are you a daddy’s girl?”

“Spawn of Satan!”

Jude Carver was two years older and the local bully. He led the pack. Jared came up behind them as Hanna turned on them.

“Shut up! I’ve never even seen him in person.”

“Ooh, got you mad,” Carver taunted.

“Why don’t you idiots find something else to do?”

The boys howled. “We like what we’re doing.”

“I don’t like it.” Jared stepped up.

The three boys turned and faced him.

“Who asked you, Hodges? Wittle Hanna need a bodyguard?” Carver sneered. Jude had a few pounds on Jared, but Jared was tall for his age and had a couple inches on Carver. Carver was the key. Take out the lead bully and the rest would flee, so Jared concentrated on him.

“I think she can take care of herself. I also think you guys need to find another hobby.”

“I don’t care what you think.” Carver dropped his book bag and started to get chicken chested. Hands balled into fists, he scowled and stepped toward Jared.

Jared didn’t hesitate. He brought his right fist around and hit Jude in the nose.

The bully went down, and his friends stepped back. “Hodges, that was uncalled for.”

“You guys are bullies, plain and simple. Knock it off.”

Carver got to his feet slowly, blood flowing from his nose. “I’ll tell your dad.”

“So will I. He tells me to stand up to bullies. What you are doing to Hanna is uncalled for. Tease her, tease me.”

That was the day Hanna’s and Jared’s friendship started.

Warm memories flooded his mind. He went to her softball games; she came to his track meets. Every free minute they were together. They learned to drive, to rock climb, and took junior college classes together.

It was perfect until Jared had ruined it. Now that he was back for good, he prayed that he’d find a way to fix it.

CHAPTER 7

WITH THE FUNERAL OVER,the media presence in Dry Oaks dwindled to nothing. For the most part, Hanna had her small town back again. It still wasn’t quiet and uneventful. The day after the service, a huge fire broke out east of Dry Oaks. Fierce winds had blown a tree over into some power lines, and overnight the blaze had scorched thousands of acres. If the wind shifted, the Crest Fire would be a serious threat to Dry Oaks.

All Hanna could do was monitor the situation. It was mostly being fought by county and state personnel. Some of her reserve officers volunteered to support the firefighting effort. Terry Holmes had traveled to San Francisco to follow up on some information about Scott’s business issues. As a result, her office was short-staffed.

Grover said he’d bring in Valerie Fox for an interview today, Friday. Hanna was eager to talk to Fox. She still hadn’t been able to interview Chase or Everett.

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