Page 54 of Justice Delayed

The statement jarred him into action. He grabbed her hand before she could turn away. “No, that’s not it.” As he rushed to convince her, he realized the truth behind the words. Somehow, he’d moved from thinking her guilty to innocent, even though the evidence had yet to firmly convict or exonerate. He opted for simplicity. “I believe you.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

Melender blinked rapidly, trying to process Brogan’s words. “You do?”

Hope replaced the knot that had tightened in her stomach after the aborted kiss. She’d tried to act like it hadn’t affected her but couldn’t move past it to discuss architecture as if nothing had happened. Given her limited interactions with men outside of prison, she had no idea how to handle her attraction to Brogan. All she knew about dating she’d learned from sitcoms, movies, and books, which didn’t exactly parallel real life.

He squeezed her hand. “I believe you.”

For a moment, she basked in the knowledge that someone believed her innocent of Jesse’s disappearance. Then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, a quick, soft brush of her lips. “Thank you.”

Melender’s heart kicked up a notch as his eyes widened. A barking dog broke the spell as a panting Labrador retriever bounded past them after a Frisbee. Brogan stepped back, letting go of her hand. “I think building 1816 is to the left.”

Melender shook off her disappointment at the dog’s interruption and kept pace with Brogan as they approached the common, ground-floor entrance to 1816. They were here to question Jared, not canoodle, as Sudie used to say about courting couples. She needed to remember that proving her innocence would be the only way she’d have a chance at a normal life.

Brogan pulled open the main entrance door, then scanned the four downstairs units. “Number seven should be on the second floor at the back.”

Following Brogan up the stairs, Melender mentally reviewed the interviews with Jared. On the landing, rock music permeated the walls of a condo.

“Someone likes to play their heavy metal loudly,” Brogan said.

Melender stopped short. The notes formed a familiar song. Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Blame the Reaper” thumped behind the door to number seven, but even without the confirmation, she’d have known the sound was coming from Jared’s condo. He used to play that particular tune in his room with his buddies.

“Are you okay?”

She gave a jerky nod. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. Brogan was with her. Nothing would happen. Blowing out a breath, she squared her shoulders. “I’m fine.”

Before he could question her further, she marched up to number seven and knocked on the door. The music was even louder now that they were standing in front of the source. She pounded harder on the door.

The music ended abruptly, then the door flew open. “Whattya want?” Dressed in a threadbare tank top and baggy shorts, Jared stared at Melender. “You.” His expression hardened.

Melender merely stared back, refusing to let her cousin intimidate her. “Hello, Jared. It’s been a long time.”

Jared grunted. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.”

Beside her, Brogan crowded near, his solid frame giving her strength. “Not as much nerve as you did when you lied to the police.”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t had any trouble with the police in years.” Jared flicked his gaze from Melender to Brogan and back. “Who’s he?”

“A friend. Can we come in? Or do you want your neighbors listening in on our conversation?” Melender had segued into the calm, cool, and collected persona she’d practiced over and over again in her cell. She’d imagined this encounter so often that it was almost like playing a part in a play she’d rehearsed a thousand times.

“Sure, why not.” Jared pulled the door open the rest of the way and stepped aside.

Melender entered the condo, Brogan at her heels. Jared closed the door and stalked into the living area where a leather sectional sat in front of a huge flat screen television. A war-themed video game on pause. Jared hit the power button, and the image faded. Chin-cocking toward Brogan, he asked Melender, “Are you gonna introduce your friend?”

“Brogan Gilmore.” Brogan extended his hand to Jared, who didn’t even acknowledge the gesture. “I’m a reporter with theNorthern Virginia Herald.”

Jared turned his attention back to her. “What do you want?”

“The truth.”

“What truth?” Jared flopped down on the couch, stretching one of his arms across the back of the cushions. His right leg jiggled up and down.

“About what really happened to Jesse.”

“You’re the only one who knows that.” Jared shook his head. “Why don’t you own up to the truth and tell us where you buried Jesse?”

“Lying in court is a crime.” Melender ignored his question.

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