Heinous (11 page)

“This morning Amanda Brownfield mentioned that her grandfather had friends.” Jess glanced at the tote the lieutenant held. “Some of the photos on those other jars looked familiar. You may find a connection between these two cases.”

“I was already thinking the same thing,” Foster confirmed. “I’m worried sick about what this is going to do to my town.” He shook his head again. “God almighty, I don’t know how I could have missed all this.”

“Obviously, these people have gone to great lengths to cover their tracks.” A clang from her cell phone startled Jess. She’d forgotten to silence it. “Excuse me.” She fished it from her bag to mute the annoying sound, but the name on the screen was one she couldn’t ignore. “I need to take this call, Sheriff. Please keep me posted on your investigation.”

Foster assured her he would keep her up to date. Jess thanked him and headed for the building’s front entrance. She hit
call back
without listening to the message Gant had left. Hayes hurried out ahead of her, surveyed the parking lot, and then moved aside for her to exit.

When Gant’s voice echoed across the line, she stopped, suddenly unable to make another step and have this conversation. The call was no doubt about Spears. “Sorry. I was in an interview.”

“I spoke to Burnett and Black with an update.”

Somehow, Jess made it the final few steps to the car. She opened the door and sat down, immediately engulfed by the buildup of heat inside the vehicle. Hayes started the engine and turned the AC to maximum, but it would be a few minutes before it was anything less than stifling inside. She kept her door open to prevent suffocating.

“I’m listening.” If he’d thought it was so important to give her the update personally, why the sudden silence?

Because it’s bad, Jess
.

“We’ve identified the third woman who went missing.”

She waffled between being glad they’d learned her identity and feeling sad for the family who likely now understood how very dire the situation was. With all they didn’t know, Jess was certain of one thing: Rory Stinnet and Monica Atmore were in Birmingham. Amanda had basically confirmed that theory. Victim number three would be with them. She’d passed the information to Gant yesterday.

“Lisa Knowles, twenty-three, from Decatur, Alabama.”

“She’s probably in Birmingham with the other two.” Jess got out of the car. She couldn’t sit another second. “Is your special Joint Task Force broadening the search in the Birmingham area? Did you even listen to what I told you Amanda said?”

“You know it’s not that simple, Jess. A two-hour radius around Scottsboro encompasses far more than Birmingham. It goes without saying that we’ve broadened our search, particularly in the Birmingham area. You know how this works.”

Maybe she did. Before she let her emotions take the lead, she filled him in on the Eli Mooney discovery and what she’d learned from the retired coroner.

“We’ll be taking over that scene as well,” Gant said, “including the evidence you have in your custody.”

“I need a sample for analysis first.” She stood her ground. She wasn’t wading through the Bureau’s red tape to know one way or the other about the fetus. God, she had to talk to Lil. How did she tell her something like this?

What was the point until she knew for certain exactly what they had? She recognized that excuse was getting old. She couldn’t continue keeping her sister in the dark about this.

“He’s moving faster now, Jess,” Gant said, drawing her attention back to the call. “He’s growing bolder. My instinct says he’s feeling the pressure to bring on the finale. You need to be extremely careful.”

“What else would I be?” She might have had a reputation in the past for taking risks, but she had other considerations now. “If that’s all you’ve got, I have things to do, Gant.” Before she did anything else, she needed to talk to Dan.

“It’s no longer that simple, Jess. Your family and your past being dragged more deeply into this has changed everything.”

“What the hell does that mean?” She settled in the seat and closed the car door now that the vents were circulating cold air. “He’s been dragging my family into this for weeks.” She opted not to ask if Gant had been asleep the past month or so.

“Jess, he’s gone from targeting people close to your family and points of interest from your family’s past to focusing
only
on your family. The escalating pattern is hard to miss. I’ve discussed this at length with Chief Black, and we’ve decided it’s best if you have no further involvement in our investigation.”

“I don’t answer to you or to Chief Black.” Fury whipped through her.

“That may be true but, as of this moment, you will not return to the Brownfield farm or the Mooney crime scene. No more talking to Amanda Brownfield. You’re out of this, Jess.”

She choked on a laugh. “You can’t do that, Gant. This is about me. You can’t remove me from the investigation.”

“I just did. Focus on staying safe, Jess. Spears wants you vulnerable. Don’t give him what he wants.”

“If I’m off the case,” Jess held her breath, “then I guess we have nothing else to discuss.” She ended the call.

What in the world did she do now?

“I take it that didn’t go well.”

“Not at all, Lieutenant. Not at all.” Jess reached for her seatbelt. “I need to see Maddie Brownfield.”

Hayes shifted into drive. “Heading there now.”

Gant hadn’t told her she couldn’t see Maddie again. He probably hadn’t thought it was necessary. Being off the case, by default, included Maddie.

“While I talk to Maddie, I’d like you to take the... evidence by Dr. Baron’s office for a DNA sample. Then turn it over to the lab.”

“No can do, Chief.”

Jess took a moment to get her emotions under control. When she trusted herself to speak without biting his head off, she said calmly. “All right then. Call Dr. Baron and ask if she will wait for us at her office.”

“That, I can do.”

Jess leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. How did she get around Gant?

Mott Street Residence, Birmingham, 6:20 p.m.

Jess pushed the swing and four-year-old Maddie Brownfield squealed with delight as she soared ever higher. Hearing her laughter relaxed Jess somehow. Or maybe it was more about how such a simple act made the little girl so happy when her whole life had fallen down around her.

What a shame most adults, including Jess, couldn’t appreciate the little things in a time of crisis.

The people who were supposed to protect Maddie had failed. With every part of her being, Jess wanted to protect her child. If somehow she failed, Dan would not. As much as his mother had annoyed Jess at times, she and Dan’s father would—until they took their last breaths—be the kind of support system for their child that was missing in Maddie’s life.

Jess had an enormous task in front of her. She had to stop Spears. There was no other way to protect the people she loved and the innocent victims he would continue to devastate... like Maddie.

During the drive from Scottsboro, Jess had come to terms with how to handle Gant’s decision. She’d go around him. She’d done it before. He wouldn’t like it. Chances were he would probably expect her to attempt something along those lines. The only difficult part would be seeing to it that her team stayed out of trouble. If Dan ended up on administrative leave, Black would, in all likelihood, be selected as acting chief. He could make life miserable for Jess and her team. If that happened...

No need to borrow trouble. All her energies had to be centered on ending this game once and for all.

Maddie hopped off the swing, grabbed Jess by the hand, and dragged her over to sit in the grass. The child who wouldn’t say a word a few days ago suddenly couldn’t stop talking. She went on and on about her new doll named Jess. Emotion almost got the best of her as the little girl explained how Jess was the best doll in the world. Eventually, she stopped chattering to explore the grass for four-leaf clovers.

It was amazing how a child would open up when she felt safe. The people here had made Maddie feel safe with a warm and loving environment. The backyard was fully enclosed with a privacy fence. Surveillance cameras monitored the property and its boundaries. Though it was a shame all that technology and security were necessary, Jess was grateful to see it in place. At some point, permanent arrangements would have to be made. What happened next was up to the court.

“I saw your mom today,” Jess told the little girl. No matter that Maddie hadn’t mentioned her mother and seemed perfectly happy here with kind strangers, deep down she had to be afraid. The child was four years old. Her mother and grandmother had been her only caretakers until now. Of course, she missed them and wondered where they were even if a part of her—perhaps the part that had seen and heard far more than a small child should—pretended not to notice. She might feel relieved in some way, too.

Maddie jumped up. “I want fireflies!” She rushed to the nearest tree, looked all around it before moving on to a bush.

Jess wasn’t going to push her to talk. The psychiatrist assigned to her case had that responsibility.

For a while longer, Jess watched Maddie romp around the yard in search of the elusive fireflies. It wasn’t quite dark enough for them to come out. Which reminded Jess, as enjoyable as this visit was, it was time to go. Sylvia was waiting for her.

After rounding up Maddie and ushering her toward the patio, Jess promised, “I’ll come see you again soon.”

“I made you a pit’chure,” Maddie announced as they entered the kitchen.

She released Jess’s hand and skipped away. Jess smiled. Watching Maddie made her feel more relaxed than she had in weeks. Was that more of those pregnancy hormones? Did children become more desirable to women who were expecting? Whatever the case, Jess was glad for it.

“She’s a lovely child.”

Jess turned to the woman who was orchestrating the pots and pans on the stovetop. Whatever they were having for dinner, it smelled incredible. Nicole Green was clearly a multi-talented woman with endless patience.

“She is,” Jess agreed.

“The last three days she’s been like a flower opening to the sun,” Nicole added, smiling. “I’ve enjoyed being a part of the transition. You’d never know anything bad had happened if not for the nightmares she has every single night.”

All those warm, fuzzy feelings Jess had experienced moments ago disappeared. The nightmares would haunt Maddie on some level for the rest of her life. There were so many more transitions to come for this child.

“There’s a hearing next Friday,” Nicole was saying, drawing Jess from the worrisome thoughts. “The first step in the process of settling Maddie in a home. There are no remaining relatives to reach out to so...”

Maddie reappeared, ending the discussion. Nicole didn’t need to say the rest. Jess knew what would happen next.

“For you.” Maddie held another masterpiece she’d made. “I ‘membered him in my dream.”

Puzzled, Jess studied the drawing. A black box of a car with wheels that weren’t so round filled the center of the green construction paper. Next to the car was a stick figure with strands of black hair. Jess crouched down to Maddie’s eye level. “I’m not sure I know him.”

Maddie held the drawing closer to Jess as if she needed to have a better look. “He gived Mommy pit’chures of you.”

Black car...?
Someone with pictures
. Flashes of memory—looking in her rearview mirror and seeing that gun aimed at her, finding the flowers on Lori’s car, him watching from a distance over and over again, Dan receiving packets of photos.
The dark-haired man
. The same man who’d picked up Amanda at that club and taken her to Spears. The same one Amanda had sworn she didn’t know.

“Maybe if you tell me his name I’ll remember him.”

Maddie shrugged, looked uncertain. “I can’t member.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Jess smiled, forcing away the visible tension. “So I can keep this?”

The uncertainty vanished and the little girl nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Maddie.”

Maddie walked Jess to the door. When they’d exchanged goodbyes and Jess was out the door, she felt bereft. Finding good parents for Maddie would be crucial. Someone who could look beyond her past.

Someone who would love and cherish her rather than send her away like they had Jess and Lil... over and over.

Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, 7:45 p.m.

Jess wanted to kick something. Gant would not see reason. She’d wanted to see Amanda again to press her about the dark-haired man and Eli Mooney. Gant adamantly refused to allow her access. Gant had insisted that Chief Black would question her tomorrow.

And he would get nothing. Dammit.

“I’ll take it from here, Lieutenant Hayes,” Sylvia announced as she stripped off her gloves.

Hayes exchanged a look with Jess who was as confused as he was, but then she’d been preoccupied.

Sylvia stripped off the paper lab coat. “I’ve taken the specimen I need, Lieutenant. You can turn the rest over to BPD’s evidence lab. I’m taking Chief Harris home.”

“I can ride to the lab with Hayes and then home,” Jess suggested. She wanted this day to be over. Two people had been murdered. God only knew if the fetus had really come from her mother. Maddie’s hearing was coming up. Gant was trying to close her out of the investigation. To top it all off, she still hadn’t heard from Buddy. Every time she called his cell, it went to voicemail. Surely, he’d connected with McPherson by now. Why hadn’t he given Jess an update?

“Dr. Baron, I’m—” Hayes began.

“Goodnight, Lieutenant.” Baron stood her ground.

Enough. “Go, Lieutenant,” Jess ordered, letting him off the hook. “I’ll be safe with Dr. Baron.”

The door to the autopsy room opened. “Am I late?”

Gina Coleman
. What was going on here? This was beginning to look like a setup.

“See, Lieutenant,” Sylvia said smugly, “I even have backup.”

Hayes held his hands palms out. “I can see I’m outnumbered. So,” he gave a little salute, “goodnight, ladies.”

The door closed behind the lieutenant and Jess sighed. She’d really wanted to go home to Dan. They had a lot to talk about.

“Mmm-hmm,” Gina hummed. “I may prefer women, but that guy is
hot
.”

Sylvia shook her head as she peeled off her lab coat. “Too cocky for me. I’ve come to appreciate the more pliable of the species.”

“What’s going on, ladies?” Might as well get down to business. These two had something up their sleeves and Jess was, apparently, going to be an accomplice.

Gina, looking sleek and fashionable in a chic gold pantsuit that accentuated her dark looks, and Sylvia, the image of sophistication in her mint skirt and blouse, crossed their arms simultaneously. Jess had a bad feeling she was not going to like this.

“Katherine told us,” Sylvia announced.

Jess stopped the mental rant that automatically kicked off whenever Katherine, bless her heart, got on her nerves. She refused to allow anything the woman did or said to upset her ever again. She would have a good relationship with Dan’s mother if it killed her.

“Your secret is safe with us,” Gina assured her. “We won’t tell anyone.”

“You could have told us,” Sylvia countered. “Then again, I can see why you wouldn’t. At your age being knocked up is—”

“Hey,” Gina growled. “Be nice.”

For a couple of seconds the whole situation felt surreal. Here she was, with one of Dan’s ex-lovers and the sister of his second ex-wife. Jess would have laughed except she was too exhausted physically and emotionally. Whatever else these women were, they were her friends.

“At any rate,” Sylvia said, “we’ve decided that, all things considered, you need an intervention.”

Jess did laugh then. “I’m afraid you’re a little late.”

Sylvia rolled her eyes. “Obviously, you’re far too focused on work to go shopping. You’ve been wearing the same four or five suits over and over for weeks.”

One, two, three, four... Jess inhaled a deep breath. “It’s true. I’ve been a little busy. By the time I’m through for the day most things are closed and I’m completely exhausted.”

“I hear you,” Gina tossed in. “The only available options at night are the malls. I hate the malls. That’s what tonight is about. We have friends who accommodate our busy schedules.”

The one time Jess had gone shopping since moving back to Birmingham was with Dan in a similar outing right after her room at the Howard Johnson and all her things were destroyed. A friend of his mother who owned a designer shop had opened up after hours for them. Felt like a lifetime ago.

“I should call Dan.” Jess was late as it was and she really wanted to hear his voice.

“Already done.” Sylvia reached for her purse and her keys. “I hope you brought your credit card, Harris.”

Jess produced a smile. “I guess we’re going shopping.”

With Sylvia on one side and Gina on the other, they were off.

“So what does it feel like?”

Startled by the question, Jess considered the best way to answer Gina’s question. “Mostly it’s exhausting and... a little terrifying.”

“She’s going to feel fat,” Sylvia warned. “Fat and unattractive and used.”

Jess felt confident she should have a counter for that, but she wasn’t so sure Sylvia was entirely wrong.

“Then the kid will be born and everything will change,” Sylvia continued as if she’d had several of her own when she hadn’t produced the first child. Sylvia stopped and faced Jess. “This child will become your world. He or she will complete you in a way you won’t be able to explain.” Sylvia grinned. “Then you’ll hate all your friends who still have their figures and their freedom.”

“How would you know?” Gina demanded.

“Thank you,” Jess said to Gina.

“My ex’s second wife told me.”

“Not to speak ill of the dead,” Jess had solved the poor woman’s murder, “why would she say something like that to you?” After all, she had stolen Sylvia’s husband of ten years, and then produced the first and only child for said husband.

Sylvia shrugged. “I asked. She gave my husband the one thing I refused to give him. I wanted to know what the big deal was.”

A comfortable silence settled around them after Sylvia’s odd announcement. They were all three just a little damaged and different. Maybe that was the reason they were so good at their work and made such good friends.

Jess had decided that a woman needed good friends.

The Juice, 10:30 p.m.

Jess could hardly keep her eyes open. Too many designer bags to count filled the trunk of Sylvia’s Lexus. Jess was now ready for the next couple of months. They had dined on salads with vitamins and nutrient filled juice smoothies with no dessert, unless you counted the organic sweet potato chips.

If she were lucky there was chocolate at home. She would need some before this night was over. She had to admit the evening had been interesting. Besides gaining a new wardrobe, she’d learned that the trial date for Gina’s sister had been set. According to Gina, Juliette’s attorney believed she would be sentenced to probation for her part in the death of a fellow graduating high school senior ten years earlier. Contrary to popular thinking, tragedy struck the lives of the wealthy the same as it did everyone else.

Jess had spent the past hour spilling her guts to these two women. Maybe there was something in the juice, she couldn’t be sure. Whatever the case, she’d told them about the photo of her father, about Amanda, and the message from Spears. And, then she’d shared the details about the ...fetus. Jess closed her eyes. Not simply a fetus, a
baby
. Spears was insinuating her mother had been pregnant when she died.

There had never been any doubt in her mind that he would use her pregnancy against her if he found out. Dammit. How the hell had he found out?

“Today was tough,” Sylvia announced. “I’ll have some answers for you as quickly as possible.”

“I really appreciate it.”

Gina glanced around. The small cafe was mostly empty. “I’ve been talking to my contacts.”