Page 70 of Long Road Home

“How do you know?” Kenna studied him. “Who else would want her out of the way? All she’s doing is writing a book about him. She’s not exactly a threat to anyone else.”

“I know it’s not him because I killed him myself.”

Chapter Twenty

Kenna absorbed the information. Her faculties seemed to be coming back online. She reached for the pitcher on the side table, but it was too far away. Gingrich got up and gave her a cup of water that was way too cold. She winced. “Thanks.”

He stood by the bed.

“You killed J.Pierce?” She frowned up at him. “Is that why everyone thinks he’s dead? You circulated the story, or started a rumor?”

Then there was the issue of the kills attributed to that murderer, and the ones that others suspected were—accidents and deaths that appeared more natural, like Bruce’s had originally. Kenna wasn’t sure it was one case, or even simply two.

This whole thing was a collection of disparate pieces with no perceivable connection.

Gingrich took his seat again. Kenna hoped the doctor or some other medical staffer didn’t come in and disturb him before he got the story out.

The sheriff let out a heavy breath, as though he’d carried this weight for years now. “It was years ago now. Nearlyfifteen, maybe? I was chasing him pretty hard since a body washed up on the lakeshore.” He winced. “A young woman. The things he did to her…”

Kenna let him process his memories without her opinion coloring how he chose to deal with it.

“Then a young man went missing. A local. There were a couple of witnesses, he took the guy from the parking lot behind a bar that’s out of business now.” He frowned. “Maybe that’s why it didn’t survive. Anyway, there were a couple of witnesses, and I had a plate number for the van. I managed to get a sighting, and followed up. The vehicle was parked at the marina when I caught up to it, and I spotted a boat leaving the harbor.” Gingrich closed his eyes.

“How did you know it was him?”

“I just knew.” He opened his eyes. “I stared at him. He stared at me from behind the wheel. I had no way to chase him. I was so angry, I got my rifle from the truck with me and opened fire. I didn’t stop shooting. Watching him duck down like he was scared was so satisfying. You have no idea.”

“I probably do.” She had emptied the cup now, and needed to get up soon to use the bathroom. But this broken man needed to get his story out.

“I must’ve hit the fuel tank because the whole boat went up. Kaboom!” Gingrich clapped.

Kenna flinched. “It exploded.”

He nodded.

“Did you find the remains?”

“Two bodies, just a collection of pieces that were charred. Most of it was too burned for DNA, but we got one sample that remains unidentified. It didn’t give us a familial match on any of the victim’s family members, so I figure it was the killer. I never figured out who he was, but it didn’t matter.It was over.”

Kenna stared at the tiny hospital room. They hadn’t changed her out of her clothes into a hospital gown.Thank You.She wondered if they’d done tests on her while they hooked her up to the IV connected to her elbow. The bag was nearly empty, all the medicine in her.

“I probably need to be seen by a doctor so I can get out of here,” she said. “But I want to know what you think about the accidents or deaths attributed to natural causes. Did you know the coroner, Bill Tamarin?”

“What about him?”

“He’s one of the people who brought up the accidents and deaths not ruled murders. Then he has an ‘accident.’” She made air quotes. “Seems pretty suspicious if you ask me.”

“You talk to Kobrinsky about this?”

She wasn’t going to lie to him. “He has the file number.”

“Good.” Gingrich stood. “I’ll take a look. You rest up.”

“Because you expect me to work for you, while also in protective custody?” She sat forward, ready to get out of here whether she had a ride or not. There were calls to make, and she was hungry. But the pressing matter would come first.

“I’ll keep you posted. If you’re gonna pass out in the middle of a favor, you’re no good, are you?” He left the door open.

The doctor came in a few minutes later, using words likeprobable concussion. She didn’t like that and managed to argue her knowledge of herself. He threatened to make her sign refusal of treatment papers while he removed the IV. She told him there was nothing to treat. It went on for a few minutes.

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