Page 41 of Ranger Belief
“Sometimes it takes more strength to stand steady,” Ryker said. “And if you want my opinion, it sounds like Laney needs you now more than ever. She’s in turmoil. Everything she thought about you and your relationship has been turned upside down. That’s bound to make anyone nervous, especially if Laney’s always struggled with commitment. But you’ve built fifteen years of trust with her. Have faith that she’ll find her way.”
It was no small task. Already Jonah felt Laney was putting up walls between them. And it hurt.
Ryker pulled into a popular fast-food restaurant and parked his truck. “Come on, let’s see if Eddie’s ex will talk to us. It would be nice to knock at least one primary suspect off our list today.”
They found Georgia Parker enjoying a smoke break next to a sour-smelling dumpster. Her sallow yellow uniform gave her complexion a more ashen color than seemed possible. Dyed black hair was tucked into a hairnet, and wrinkles deepened near her lips as she puckered to draw in a cloud of smoke and nicotine.
“Why do you want to talk to me about Eddie?” Georgia eyed them with suspicion. “We’ve been divorced for years.”
“We’re gathering information,” Jonah said carefully, “and we saw you took out a restraining order against Eddie before your divorce was final. What can you tell us about that?”
She scrutinized him with the flat, cold eyes of someone who didn’t trust law enforcement. “I can tell you it’s ancient history.” Georgia tapped some ashes onto the ground. “Look, if you’re interested in finding out information about Eddie, talk to him. I got nothin’ nice to say about him, but our marriage was a mistake from the start. And I ain’t interested in helping the police bulldoze anyone.”
She tossed her cigarette onto the ground and rose. Jonah put out his hands in a placating manner. “Please, ma’am. We’re not looking to bulldoze anyone. All we want is the truth.” He paused, praying she could see his sincerity. “It’s important.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Is this about the murders at the park? It’s all over the news.”
He sensed Georgia wouldn’t appreciate dishonesty, so he nodded. “It is.”
“And you think Eddie could be involved?”
“I’m interested in hearing what you think.”
Her gaze narrowed. “My ex is a cheater and a liar. He has a dark side.” She gestured vaguely to her face. “I learned that the hard way. But if you’re asking if he’s a killer? The answer is no.”
“Men willing to hit women are often capable of much worse.”
She let out a laugh that dissolved into a cough. “Eddie’s not that smart. He couldn’t even hide his mistresses from me. Notice I said mistresses. Plural.” Her nose wrinkled with disgust. “I should’ve left him a long time before I did, but I wanted to make the marriage work. I was a fool back then.”
Ryker’s expression was sympathetic. “It can be hard when the person you love doesn’t honor their vows. You describe him as a cheater and a liar. He hit you. How can you be certain he’s not involved in these murders?”
“Because I am. Listen, I have to get back to work?—”
“Wait. One more second of your time.” Jonah wasn’t quite ready to give up. Eddie was hiding something. He was certain of it. Mitch had volunteered for the Spring Jamboree and worked alongside Ava. Which meant Eddie had been his supervisor. On a whim, Jonah unlocked his phone and pulled up a picture of Mitchell Caldwell. “Do you recognize this man?”
Georgia’s eyes widened. “That’s a buddy of Eddie’s. They went to high school together. Mitch something or other.” A visible shudder rippled through her. “Now that guy…he’s bad news. Downright creepy. He has this way of looking at you...no, through you. Like he’s undressing you with his eyes. It’s gross.”
“Have you seen him recently?”
“No. He and Eddie lost contact with each other a while ago. I only met Mitch a few times, the last being…” She tilted her head. “Must’ve been five or six years ago. Maybe more. It’s been a long time.” Georgia checked her watch and then smoothed her apron. “I gotta get back or my boss will have my hide.”
“Thanks for your time.”
She disappeared back inside the restaurant. Jonah waited until they were back on the road before saying, “I knew Eddie was hiding something. He must’ve known Mitch was camping illegally in Piney Woods. Probably even knows he’s the one behind the murders.” His hands balled into fists. “Nothing should surprise me anymore, I know, but the ability of people to cover for killers…it angers me every time.”
“We can’t jump to that conclusion yet. Eddie hasn’t been asked about Mitchell. He wasn’t at work today.”
“Then let’s pay him a home visit.”
Jonah pulled up the address and plugged it into the vehicle’s GPS. Ten minutes later, Ryker pulled up to a small, red-brick house with an overgrown front yard. The garage door was open. Eddie was hunched over a motorcycle that’d seen better days. Numerous parts littered the cement. He straightened as they approached, his expression blanching. Why did the man always look guilty every single time they spoke?
Ryker whistled as he approached. “Is that a '68 Triumph Bonneville?”
Eddie’s brows winged up in surprise. “You know your bikes.”
“My stepfather and I restored a few.” Ryker’s mouth hitched as he rubbed a loving hand over the torn leather seat. “My stepdad never rode them because my mom wouldn’t allow it. Too dangerous, she said, and secretly, I think he agreed. But some of our best times together were the hours spent in the garage tinkering around.”
“My dad loved motorcycles.” Eddie’s expression grew sad and pensive. “We were supposed to restore this one together, and never got around to it before he passed.”
