Page 47 of Southie
He’s watching me. Does he want to kill me too?
My leg bounced and my hands shook. Liam released my hand, wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and pulled me closer to his body.
“It’ll be okay, Ms. Jennings. You’re safe now and thanks for your cooperation. The information you’ve provided will help a lot.”
“Do you think this has something to do with Frankie?” I asked. “Did I cause this man to kill her?”
“To be honest, I don’t know why someone would do this, Ms. Jennings. Mrs. Daugherty was a beloved member of the community. But, I can promise I’ll do everything in my power to find out who did this.”
His declaration didn’t help squelch the guilt that consumed me. Mrs. Daugherty’s death could be my fault.
“Liam, do you think this may have anything to do with you?” the detective asked, focused on Liam.
The question drew me from my thoughts.
Liam shrugged nonchalantly. While it seemed like Liam didn’t have a care in the world, he was furious. His body held the lightest shiver, and his eyes had darkened.
“Anything’s possible, Rizzo. Either way, if it deals with Camilla or with me, I’ll handle it.
Detective Rizzo rubbed the back of his neck. “I figured you’d say that. As long as you keep your boss out of it, I’ll help any way I can.”
“I understand,” Liam replied. “Are we done?”
“Almost.”
Liam studied Detective Rizzo, waiting for him to continue.
“My uncle needs to meet with you regarding our families and your boss.”
Liam’s fists clenched at his side. “Why?”
The detective shrugged his shoulders. “I have no clue. You know I’m not involved in the family business. I’m just the messenger.”
“He didn’t give you any specifics?”
He responded with a shake of his head. “Just that it’s something you need to hear about Paddy. The only thing that had him not coming to you earlier was Mrs. Daugherty, he said. Now that she’s passed, he asked that I take her case to help find her killer and set up a meeting with you.”
“Set it up.”
He nodded. “If you guys think of anything else, no matter how small, call me. It doesn’t matter the time.” He closed notepad and handed me his business card. “Liam, I’m sorry for your loss. I understand that you don’t trust me, but I’ll do all I can to find out who did this.”
Liam nodded. When we walked out of the police station, I had more questions than answers. Had Frankie done this to Mrs. Daugherty? I hoped not. It would be devastating to find out the reason she’d died was because of me.
* * *
We rode home in uncomfortable silence. The tension in the truck was suffocating. I wasn’t sure if the information concerning Frankie irritated Liam or if it was that I might have caused the death of his grandmother. Just the thought I might’ve caused this broke my heart.
My heart broke for Mrs. Daugherty and Liam.
I wished everything that happened had just been a dream.
Why would Frankie do something to her just to get back at me?
If he’d been following me for as long as I’d been seeing the black Audi, he would have known how special she’d become to me. He was trying to strip me of all the happiness in my life. Would he come for Liam next?
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize when we arrived back at Liam’s home until he opened the door. I unbuckled my seat belt, and he helped me out. Slowly, I followed him from the garage into his kitchen. It had already been a long morning.
“You want something to eat?” he asked.
