Page 99 of Mistletoe and Malice
He swallowed the bitter taste of guilt. “Too bad the Everetts were out of town last Friday. I know Riley wanted to be here.”
“I was surprised she gave us the go-ahead to do this without her.”
“Probably didn’t want to put off finding whatever we could to determine if this is a viable lead. Jealous stepbrother could be nothing more than sour grapes, or it could have festered into a bone-deep hatred. And that’s even if we can get any good intel from the dad and stepmother.”
John parked in front of a well-cared-for, single-level home and killed the engine. “Call her.”
He’d love to do that, to hear her voice if nothing else. But he couldn’t keep her on the hook. Have her hoping there was a chance for them. A clean break was better.
He reached for the handle and pushed open his door. “I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to talk to.”
Even if he were the last man on earth.
“Warren?” Mr. Everett’s brow creased as his eyes moved from John to Colton and back again. “I thought you were here about Shane.”
Colton nodded. “Yes, sir. Just info gathering, at this point.”
John placed his cup of coffee on the saucer. “We’re following a lead on what might be a completely separate matter. It may mean nothing, but we hoped you could tell us about your older son. Shane said he hadn’t had any contact with him in years but that you might be able to answer some questions.”
Mrs. Everett put her arm through her husband’s, seated next to her on the sofa in their tidy living room. Photos of a happy family of three lined the walls, with pictures of Shane at various ages. Shane in his Little League uniform. Shane in full football regalia, teenage Shane in a suit, accepting a trophy withMVPengraved across the bottom. Shane’s graduation with several cords hanging around his neck signifying his leadership and intelligence. His college graduation photo.Sigma cum laude.
Shane had definitely been the center of his parents’ world. Their golden child.
Who now sat in prison for the most heinous of crimes.
“We’ll do everything we can to help,” she said. “What do you need to know?”
John pulled out his notebook and a pen. “Do you know when Warren was employed at the country club?”
Mr. Everett sighed. “Uh, well, let’s see. Would’ve been three, maybe four years ago.”
“What did he do there?”
“Not entirely sure. I know some landscaping. Maybe the pro shop? I think he mentioned something about working with the golfers. That they were high-maintenance or something along those lines. Warren had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Always felt he deserved more than he was willing to work for. Got that from his mother.”
Golfers. Caitlyn had been an avid golfer. Could they have crossed paths in the pro shop? On the course?
“Dear.” Mrs. Everett gave her husband’s arm a squeeze. “We don’t want to speak ill of the dead.”
Colton peered at Shane’s mom. “Warren’s mother passed away?”
“Little over two years ago. Overdosed on some sleeping pills. Poor thing. She was … fragile.”
“Fragile.” Mr. Everetttsked. “Fragile like an iron poker. And as lethal.”
Interesting. Colton sat up in the armchair he’d taken upon being invited in and clasped his hands between his knees. “Can you elaborate?”
Mr. Everett turned to his wife. “I’m sorry. I know you always try to find the good in everybody, but Marta was not fragile. I still find it difficult to believe she took her own life.”
Colton’s gut coiled. “Suicide?”
“According to the authorities.”
His brain quickly did the math. Warren’s mother had died, allegedly by her own hand, around the same time as Cait’s murder? What had he told John about coincidence?
Mr. Everett took a sip of his coffee and placed the cup on its saucer. “I met Marta right after college. Whirlwind romance. Got married too quickly. By the time I saw her true colors, she was pregnant. Warren was three when we split. I fought for him, but the court sided with his mother and forced me to pay exorbitant child support.”
“Shane mentioned Warren always seemed angry. Is that your take?”
