Page 55 of Justice Delayed

Jared snorted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You said you weren’t home the night Jesse went missing, but the nanny told the cops Ruby left you in charge of Jillian and Jesse.” If Melender hadn’t been watching Jared so closely, she might have missed the anger that passed over his face in a flash.

“If that was the case, why didn’t they follow up?” Jared held up his hand in a motion that said he really didn’t want her to answer. “I’ll tell you why. Because they knew you killed Jesse.”

Melender had been expecting Jared to lash out if she questioned his recollection of that night, but it still hurt to have those who had known her believe she’d hurt Jesse. While incarcerated, fellow prisoners, anonymous letter writers, and the press had called her a baby killer, but she’d been able to largely brush off their words. Now she schooled her face to betray none of her inner turmoil.

“What about the ransom money?” Brogan spoke in a casual voice. “They didn’t tie that to Melender.” He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Jared. “I wonder who sent the kidnapping note and picked up the ransom?”

Jared wiped his hands down his shorts. “Got me.”

“Some of it turned up, you know.” Brogan continued in a conversational tone.

“Really? I hadn’t heard.” Jared tried to sound bored, but Melender detected a thread of fear inching into his voice.

“Twenty thousand dollars of the ransom money,” Brogan said. “In the possession of a dead drug dealer called Snake.”

Jared’s expression didn’t change.He knows about Snake’s death.

“What’s that got to do with me?” Jared shrugged.

“You knew Snake.” Brogan’s eyes narrowed. “In fact, I heard you and Snake were very close, that he was your supplier for a rather nasty drug habit.”

Jared leaped to his feet. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know where you got your facts, but they’re wrong. It’s time you left.” He went to the door and threw it open. “Now.”

Melender stood. “You seem rather upset, Jared.”

Brogan rose beside her.

“Yeah, I’m upset.” Jared pointed a finger at her. “You have no right coming here, stirring up trouble. It was bad enough when Dad married Ruby and those two little brats came along. But you. You spoiled everything.”

* * *

“Why wouldJesse and Jillian mess things up for you?” The slight tensing of Melender’s shoulders told Brogan she wasn’t as calm as her tone portrayed.

“How do you think?” Jared huffed. “The trust my grandfather put in place for any grandkids was now going to be split three ways.”

“That must be a lot of money. You must have been angry.” Melender sounded sympathetic to Brogan’s ears.

“Yeah, I was.” Her cousin threw her a sly look. “But not enough to kill Jesse, if that’s what you’re after.”

“I’ve often wondered why you lied to the police about not being home that night.” Melender continued.

“What do you mean?” Jared clenched and unclenched his hands.

Brogan shifted slightly in case Jared did more than posture his displeasure.

“You know exactly what I mean. I was at a graduation party down the street. Ruby left the kids in your care. You told me they were both asleep when I got home at eleven. Then the next morning, Isadora started screaming Jesse was gone.” Her hands tightened slightly, the only sign she was agitated.

Brogan was so busy watching Melender and Jared’s body language that he nearly missed the significance of her words, which fit with what the nanny had said in her interview.

Jared rolled his eyes. “Who did they believe when I told them you were left in charge of the kids all night long? Ruby and Quentin backed me up. You were the odd man out, little cousin. No one cared what happened to you.”

Melender didn’t flinched at the harsh words. Brogan didn’t know whether to be impressed by her self-control or saddened that she must have endured far worse verbal abuse during her incarceration. “You admit you lied about being left in charge of Jesse and Jillian?” She pressed Jared.

“Sure, if it makes you feel better, I admit it.” He leaned towards her. “So what? Not as if it matters anymore.” He averted his eyes from hers.

“What was Jesse wearing that night?” Melender shifted the conversation.

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