Page 425 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“I’m turning myself in. I stabbed Jacob Wilson.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Jacob had slept for a couple of hours before hunger brought him to wakefulness. He’d hit the kitchen and found ramen he’d been able to make in the microwave. Sitting hurt, he ate it standing up in the kitchen before heading back down the hall, not sure where he was going.

Russ was in his office. Jacob kept on down the hall.

Mona’s door was open.

Jacob glanced in and saw the teen leaf through a magazine but not reading it.

She glanced up. “Hey.”

“I’m up. Need anything?” He wasn’t sure how she felt about him being here or if she cared at all. Jacob was more than aware this wasn’t his home, and being around people felt different than having just his cats for company.

Mona shrugged.

“Doing okay? I mean, if you want to talk about it.”

Another shrug.

“Okay…” He left one final door open, about to leave.

“Russ took my phone,” she began. “But before he did, everyone was talking about how you killed Celia Jessop.”

Jacob turned to leave, unwilling to have this conversation.

“I’m glad she’s dead.”

He frowned. Turning back hurt. He did it, anyway. “I didn’t kill her. You think your uncle or your sister would let me stay here and put all of you in danger if I had?”

“Maybe you convinced them you’re innocent.” She lifted her chin.

Since it was the first sign of life she’d given anyone in a couple of days, he decided to dig in there. See if he could draw her out. “Celia’s dad thought I did it. The police seemed to think so—maybe they still do. But I’m telling you I had nothing to do with it, and that’s the truth.”

She stared at him. The skin around her eyes flexed.

He wasn’t going to beg and plead for her to believe him. Jacob didn’t have the energy for that. “What did you mean when you said you’re glad she did it?”

Sure, it was a clear deflection back to her, but it wasn’t like he wanted to talk about him.

Jacob leaned on the door frame.

Mona shrugged. “Celia…she was Austin’s ex. Just as crazy about what happened to you and Addie as he was.”

“How long were they together?”

Mona made a face. “It’s not like they were married or anything. But they talked about it like it was forever.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe a few months.”

His “chat” with Celia. The one that had turned into an altercation with the guy he presumed now was Austin? It had happened nearly three months ago now.

“That must’ve been frustrating, with you and Austin trying to make something work.” Even though it had been morally questionable, technically illegal, and just plain a bad idea, he wanted to connect with her.

Mona said, “They still hung out all the time. Celia’s new boyfriend didn’t know. She bragged about him all the time like he was this big shot.”

“Any idea who it was?”

“Not that guy everyone said she was with.” Mona made a face. “She dumped him like a month ago.”

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