Page 125 of State of Retribution

“I’ll do what I can to help him, in between everything else.Are you done for the evening?”

“Not quite yet.I came out for a little bourbon to fuel me to the finish line.”

“In that case, I’m going to call Jesse to ask some questions.”

Nick kissed her and got up.“I’ve got another hour or so, and then I’ll meet you in bed.”

“It’s a date.”Sam reached for her phone and called Jesse.

He took the call on the first ring.“Hey, I was just thinking about you.What a fucking shit storm today, huh?”

“Yep, and now I’m suspended for two weeks as a result.”

“Come on.No way.”

“The good news is I have time to read through the file you gave me, and let me just say, my God, Jesse.What a nightmare this has been for you.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“All along, I’ve felt that people close to me knew more than they were saying.I was just a kid when it first happened, so what right did I have to know every development?Stuff was definitely kept from me, and it haunts me to think the truth might’ve been staring me in the face, and I didn’t recognize it.”

“You were eleven, Jesse.You need to give yourself some grace.”

“Trust me, that’s a work in progress.”

“I’m sure it is.I have a few questions.Do you have time now?”

“Absolutely.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Iwondered about your mother’s siblings and what they’ve had to say about it over the years.Where were they that night?”

“They were interviewed at the time and provided alibis that checked out.”

“Including their spouses?”

“As far as I know.The reporting by the local police was a little spotty, as they were somewhat overwhelmed by such a huge case.”

“Are you in touch with your aunts and uncles?”

“Not so much anymore.I rarely get back to Morgantown since both my grandparents have passed.”

“How long ago did they die?”

“My grandmother about four years ago and my grandfather last year.”

“I’m sorry for your losses.That must’ve been tough since they raised you.”

“Are we being honest here?”

“Always.”

“I appreciated them taking us in and keeping us fed and clothed, but I’ve always blamed them for what happened to Jordan.”

“How come?”

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