Page 39 of Colton's Second Chance
Noelle flinched, the harsh assessment like a slap to her. Yet at the same time, Sasha’s words seeped into the cracks and pits that had riddled Noelle since she broke up with Eli. Shehadlet fear win. If she could do that, put fear over Eli, maybe she hadn’t loved him enough.
She curled her fingers into fists and drew a restorative breath. “So how do I fix it? How do I get past the things that scare me so that I can love and trust Eli unconditionally?”
Sasha smiled broadly and pulled her into a firm hug. “Oh, Noelle, darling girl, you’ve just taken the first step. Wanting to change things is the first step.”
“What’s up?” Will asked as he took a seat in his favorite recliner. “And what are you leaving out about the bombed house you visited this morning?”
Eli settled on the couch across from his father and sighed. “I’ve said all I can for now. It’s related to the serial murder case I’m working.”
Will scowled, then bobbed a nod. “Then what is it you want to discuss?”
Eli drew a deep breath. “Caroline.”
His father’s chin jerked up. “What?”
“I know you don’t like to talk about your sister, but I need to know a few details about her murder.”
Will shook his head, a dark scowl drawing down the corners of his mouth. “Son, that case has been closed for decades. Our family has gone to great lengths to put that evil behind us.”
Eli scooted to the edge of the cushion, leaning toward his father as he pressed on. “I know that. But I need to look at it again, and I only remember fragments of that day, the crime scene we stumbled upon. I need clarification. Confirmation. Details filled in that my child’s mind may have warped or blocked.”
His father dragged a hand down his face. “Eli, please don’t go there. We moved to Shelby to put our loss, the media attention and notoriety behind us. Your mother and I made the decision long ago not to discuss her death with you any further after youfinished the counseling sessions your doctor recommended. We felt it was better for you to put it behind you and build a new life, with happy memories here in Alaska. Forall of usto make a fresh start.”
“I understand your reasons and can appreciate what you did, but I need information.”
His father sighed and tipped his head back against his chair. “All right. I don’t like it, but if you say you need answers, I believe you.”
Believe.His family’s motto filtered through Eli’s mind. As he had many times growing up, he appreciated his family’s determination to have an open mind and trust each other. To support each other in all circumstances.
Eli studied the grim tension in his father’s face. Revisiting his family’s brutal murders, the disturbing crime scene he’d stumbled upon, had to be difficult for Will. “I’m sorry, Dad. I wouldn’t dig this up if it weren’t important.”
His jaw tight and eyes bleak, Will raised one hand from his lap. “Ask your questions.”
“I’m primarily interested in how Aunt Caroline’s killer—”
“Jason Stevens.” His father spat the name out in a low growl, like a foul word. “I don’t like giving him the anonymity of a tag likeCaroline’s killer. He should bear the guilt and be recognized for the evil man he was.”
“Stevens then.” Eli paused to gather his thoughts. “I remember that Caroline and Stevens were both sitting on the couch in the living room when I found them. At first I thought they were asleep, but I realized soon after that that Aunt Caroline looked…odd. The color of her skin… Her eyes bulging—” He stopped short, knowing a more graphic description of his aunt’s body was unneeded.
“Yes. You’ve told us this. The scene frightened you as a child, gave you nightmares for weeks until your counselor helped you manage your fears and memories.”
“Maybe too well.” Eli rubbed his hands on his jeans. “Some of the details are fuzzy. What was Aunt Caroline wearing? Her nightgown?”
“Wh—” His father blinked rapidly. “Why?”
“I hope it’s nothing, but tell me. Please.”
Will’s hands fisted, and he swallowed hard. “Stevens had put her in a little black dress and stuck a diamond ring on her finger, playing out his fantasy that they were a couple.”
Eli’s gut clenched, and bile rose in his throat.
“After he drugged her and strangled her to death,” his father continued, “he posed her with her left hand over her heart, so we didn’t miss the ring, and her right arm around him as if they were cuddling.” His father gave his head a small shake as if shuddering at the vile memory.
“Go on. What else did the investigators conclude?”
“Stevens had initially injected Caroline with a sedative. Once he’d killed her and posed her, he injected himself with a lethal dose of the same sedative and died beside her. A far more peaceful demise than he deserved, the bastard.”
Eli dropped his gaze to the floor, his brain processing this information with a growing unrest in his soul. Black dress. Diamond ring. Posed.
