Page 29 of Whispers Left Behind

“We aren’t taking any chances you’ll misconstrue my brother’s replies.” Jack crossed his arms in what could only be termed as condescension. “He’s not saying a word until his lawyer arrives. I’ve already placed the call.”

Kinsley motioned for Alex to remain on the other side of the living room. She wasn’t sure what Sebastian’s reaction would be to her response, but she wasn’t about to sugarcoat their discoveries.

“Should we have any further questions for your brother, we will be sure to go through his lawyer. In the meantime, I’ll address my questions to you.” Kinsley said casually, though the abrupt stiffness in his shoulders suggested he was already on edge. She had debated bringing up his role in the domestic abuse claim, but she was afraid he would seek representation immediately. A different route where Sebastian could start his own line of questioning was a better inroad. “Is there a reason you didn’t mention speaking to Rachel on the night she was murdered in Lionel Cooper’s barn?”

Sebastian lost all color in his face.

“Jack?” Sebastian’s voice was barely above a whisper. “What is she talking about? What did you do?”

Before Jack could respond, Kinsley pushed forward with some clarification.

“Your brother failed to mention to us that he phoned Rachel on Wednesday night and asked her to meet him out at the Plow. An additional request was made not to tell you of said meeting.” Kinsley kept her focus on Jack, noticing that he had lowered his arms to his sides. The way he squared his shoulders suggested that he was afraid his brother would assault him. The air in the room had grown heavy, so she eased up on the throttle. It wouldn’t do to have the brothers come to physical blows. “I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation as to why you didn’t mention this to us yesterday, Jack. Would you care to explain?”

Jack shifted his weight in apprehension from one foot to another.

“Bass, it’s not what you think. I—”

“Not what I think?” Sebastian reiterated in disbelief. “Why did you want to meet Rachel in secret, Jack?”

“We didn’t meet up.” Jack’s denial contained a bit of desperation. “We didn’t, Bass. Rachel never showed.”

“Never showed? You didn’t think to mention this when—”

“Bass, can we speak privately?” Jack implored as his gaze flicked toward Kinsley and then to Alex. “We shouldn’t—”

“Jack, do you drive a blue pickup truck?” Alex’s interjection caused Kinsley to relax somewhat. It was only a matter of time before Sebastian gave in to his brother’s demands. Fortunately, Alex must have learned something from the neighbor, and his timing couldn’t have been more perfect. “An older model?”

“Yes, he does,” Sebastian replied, his features hardening. “My brother is a project manager for those commercial buildings being constructed north of town. He sometimes drives the company truck. Why?”

“The neighbor mentioned she spotted Jack sitting outside your residence for quite a few hours last week. Neither you nor your wife were home at the time, and now I’m wondering if that visit has anything to do with requesting to meet Rachel at the Plow.”

“Jack, what the hell is going on?” There was an emotion in Sebastian’s tone that Kinsley couldn’t pinpoint. Fear, maybe? “What did you do?”

“Nothing,” Jack quickly answered before taking a step forward. He lifted his hands up as if imploring his brother to listen. “I really think we should talk about this in private. The police won’t understand, and I—”

“I don’t give a damn about the police, Jack! My wife is dead. Dead! So help me, God, if you so much as—”

“Maybe if you had given a damn about Rachel in the first place, you would have told her the truth,” Jack shot back, his anger finally rising to the surface. “She deserved to know, damn it!”

Kinsley and Alex shared a knowing glance while observing the scene unfold before them. The tension was now palpable, but the floodgates had been opened. It was only a matter of time before they learned the truth.

“I couldn’t take it anymore, Bass.” Jack’s voice cracked, but he held himself together. Kinsley finally understood the man’s involvement. He had been in love with his brother’s wife. “You let Rachel believe she was at fault when it was you all along.”

“At fault for what, Mr. Hanson?” Kinsley didn’t care which brother thought she was addressing him. She only wanted answers. “The more we know, the faster we can make an arrest in Rachel’s murder.”

“Bass is sterile.” Jack set his hands on his hips as he stared at his brother with both disgust and anger for the decision made after the fact. “You should have told her, man. I was only going to do what you couldn’t.”

Sebastian finally made his move, but Alex managed to step in front of the man before the situation turned violent. The abrupt motion had Jack wisely backing up a step in caution.

“…don’t do this,” Alex murmured, his voice low enough that Kinsley only caught the last few words.

Sebastian pushed away from Alex, placing his hands on his head in disbelief.

“How could you, Jack? How could you do that to me?”

“To you?” Jack’s laugh was sharp and without humor. “Rachel was in so much pain, Bass. She thought she failed you. While you were using your promotion as an excuse to postpone her finding out the truth, she took the delay as a lifeline. She was secretly meeting with specialists, who kept telling her that there was nothing wrong. She’d move on to the next one, not believinga word they said to her. It was just a vicious cycle, and it was tearing her apart.”

“Did you tell her?” Sebastian’s voice was strangled with anguish. “Did Rachel die knowing that I lied to her?”

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