Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) (12 page)

“Well, sign that arrest warrant and let’s go. We’ll have him in a cell before the hour’s out.”

Chase leaned against the corner of his desk and blew out a hard breath. “The problem is, we won’t be able to keep him long, which wasn’t as a big a concern before I knew who that DNA belonged to. Sure, the sample came from the assailant sneezing in the hall outside her bedroom, but half the town was at Lindy’s party. Any lawyer worth their salt will have him out in twenty-four hours.”

“Her room is on the third floor. Don’t you think that’s a little hard to explain?”

“He’ll say he was looking for a bathroom. That’s what I’d say. And it’s hard to disprove. It’s not like we can prove exactly when he sneezed, only that he did.”

“But Lindy’s already told us one of her attackers sneezed as she was hiding from them. It’s in the police report.”

“I’m afraid that’s not enough to keep him in lock-up for more than a couple days, max, let alone convict him. For a lesser crime where the burden of proof is lower, maybe. But not attempted rape. Both wore masks, so Lindy couldn’t pick either one out of a lineup. Without a positive ID, there’s no way to prove he wasn’t there simply for the party.”

Mike scowled. “So the asshole’s just gonna get away with it? Is that what you’re saying?”

Chase thought about it for a minute. “Someone stole Lindy’s bracelet back in February, but she didn’t file a report until after the attack. She suspected Jimmy Swan, who happened to deliver their pizza that night, but he’d skipped town by then, so there wasn’t much we could do. Between Zelinsky’s DNA and his connection to Swan, I’m pretty sure I can get a search warrant for the Russo’s home.”

“Better than nothing,” Mike agreed with a shrug. “Let’s go.”

* * *

“Hey, John. I’m sorry to bother you, but is Dillon home?”

John Russo, who’d been in the process of filling his riding lawnmower with gas, set the can down and faced Chase with a look of resignation. Chase wondered if the guy possibly knew something. He’d sported the same look the other day when he assumed Chase’s visit had something to do with Dillon. Judging by his present expression, he’d just arrived at the same conclusion.

“I’m sorry, Sheriff, but he took off about an hour ago with that Jimmy character.”

“Don’t suppose he mentioned where they were heading?”

“Nope, sorry. Dillon and I speak as little as possible to each other. Anything I can help you with?”

Chase slapped the papers against his leg in frustration. “Matter of fact, I’d like to take a look around Dillon’s room, if you don’t mind.”

John frowned as he bounced a look between Chase and Mike. “Not that I’m saying no, but I don’t suppose you have a search warrant?”

Chase gave a curt nod as he handed over both the arrest and search warrants. “I hate to be here under these circumstances, John; I hope you know that.”

“Of course I do. You’re a good man, Chase.” He handed the papers back and offered a reassuring smile before waving for them to follow along. “Come on, let’s get it over with. Liz and Shar are both at work, so it’s probably best you came now.”

John walked them up to Dillon’s room, and stood by watching as Chase and Mike started a thorough search. No doubt the anxious father was as curious as they were to discover what his stepson might be hiding in there.

Mike began searching through the dresser drawers while Chase headed for the closet. Small, with an empty shelf on top, the closet held very little of interest: a couple dozen hangers full of T-shirts, flannels, a few dress shirts, an old hoodie, and a parka-style winter coat. On the floor sat several pairs of assorted boots and shoes. Chase meticulously searched through every single pocket, shoe and boot, but didn’t turn up a damn thing.

He moved on to the nightstand where he found an open box of condoms, a bottle of lotion, a sandwich baggie holding about a quarter ounce of marijuana and some rolling papers, and a switchblade. With a grim smile, he pulled the pot and the switchblade from the drawer and tossed them on the bed. He heard John mutter a few choice words under his breath.

The bottom drawer produced a handgun, and Chase whooped in silence. He knew Zelinsky wasn’t eligible to own a gun. That on top of the weed and switchblade meant Chase had plenty to haul his ass in for.

“Chase.”

He looked up, and Mike gestured him over. A sharp stab of fury hit him right in the chest when he realized what Mike held in his hand—one of Hutch’s deposit bags.

Chapter 10

Hannah knew she’d overreacted last night when Chase kissed her. Her feelings had still been raw from the emotional walk down memory lane while she flipped through her parents’ wedding album. She’d always craved the same kind of love her parents had once shared. And she’d cast a sixteen year old Chase in the role of her soul mate the day she’d fallen off her bike and he’d carried her home in his arms.

So Chase cared about her, of that she was certain. Was it so impossible to believe those feelings had turned into something more? Something romantic? If what he’d said last night was true, then Shar had called it as far as why he’d reacted the way he had when Drew called. And it made sense, she supposed, that whole guy code thing. If Drew had ever slept with either one of the Lowell sisters, Chase would have strung him up from the nearest tree. Though, before meeting Lindy, Drew’s reputation as a playboy had far exceeded Chase’s. And all it took was a good woman to set him on the path of home, hearth, and in a few months, family.

As Hannah delivered three plates of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, the Tuesday Special, to Mrs. Langhardt and two other ladies from the book club, she gazed around the diner in amazement. If yesterday set a record for the diner’s slowest day in its sixty-three year history, today was easily one of the busiest. By the time Hannah got a chance to sit and choke down a quick sandwich, it was close to two o’clock, and she had Kelly waiting tables today as well. She’d just pushed to her feet to return to work when Caleb and Lauren strolled in with Max and Emma. Hannah rushed over to check on Max’s recovery.

“Han-nah!” Emma started clapping when she saw her.

Hannah greeted everyone with a quick smile before giving Max a pat on the arm. “I’m glad to see you out and around. Heard you have a pretty hard noggin?”

Max nodded, though he seemed to lack his usual tough kid bravado. No surprise, she supposed, after what he’d gone through. The fact he’d had the courage to come back into the diner at all said a lot about his character. Hannah gave his arm another quick pat before turning her attention to Emma.

“Hey, cutie patooty, how are you?”

“Good. Momma says I can have ice cream if I eat my lunch.”

“Sounds like a great deal to me.” Hannah gave Emma’s pretty blonde curls a fluff before glancing around the packed diner.

Miles, who’d been giving her a hand all morning, waved them to the last booth on the left. “I just need to wipe it down,” he explained as he carried away the dirty dishes.

“You guys need menus?” Hannah asked.

“I do,” Max said, his gaze moving to the counter as if looking for Hutch. “I’m tired of patty melts.”

A look of astonishment washed over Caleb’s handsome mug. “Tired of patty melts? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat anything else here.”

Max shrugged. “That’s cause Hutch makes ‘em the best.”

“Today’s special is meatloaf and mashed potatoes,” Hannah offered, adding, “It’s delicious.”

Max grimaced. “No thanks.”

Hannah, Lauren, and Caleb all laughed.

Miles returned with menus and a wash rag. “Hannah, the chicken dumpling soup is almost gone, and we have about a third pot of minestrone left.”

“I want ma’strone!” Emma exclaimed to no one in particular.

Hannah gave her curls a quick tug. “You got it, sweetie. Anyone else?”

“I’ll take a cup,” Lauren replied as she perused the menu. “And could I have a glass of iced tea, please?”

“I’ll take a large Coke,” Caleb added.

“Me, too,” Max chimed in, casting a quick, assessing look at his mother.

She pursed her lips, never taking her eyes from the menu. “Max will have a medium soda, and Emma will have a small glass of milk.

“Got it.”

Hannah delivered the soup and drinks, then gave them a few minutes to look over the menu while she handed out bills and took care of her other customers.

“Okay,” she said once she returned. “Everyone know what they want?”

Lauren collected the menus and handed them over. “I’ll have a chicken club salad with the dressing on the side, and Miss Emma will have a grilled cheese sandwich.”

“I’ll take a double cheeseburger and fries,” Caleb added. “Max?”

“Is it too late to order breakfast?”

“Nope. You can have anything you’d like.”

“Cool. Can I get pancakes and sausage?”

“You bet. Would you like links or patties?”

“Links.”

“Links, what…?” Lauren reminded.

“Please. Sorry.” Max gave Hannah a sheepish grin.

She returned the smile, thinking what a heartbreaker the kid would be some day.

After Lauren took a sip of her iced tea, she rolled her eyes and said, “I almost forgot the main reason we stopped in. Hutch is being released tomorrow. I’ve got Max’s room all ready for him. I’m sure he’ll be expecting you to stop by.”

“Absolutely. Just let me know once he’s settled, and I’ll swing on by. I’m so relieved. I talked to him last night, but he still wasn’t sure when they were going to spring him.”

“The doctor was happy with his latest test results, so they said as long as he continues to rest at home, he should make a full recovery.”

Hannah knew the old man all too well. “Good luck with that. I predict he’ll be here tomorrow morning ready to take over the kitchen.”

“Not a chance,” Lauren said with a decisive shake of her head. “Caleb will see to that.”

“My mom would have my head if I let him put his health at risk like that,” Caleb concurred.

“Good to hear. That old man is as stubborn as they come.” Not unlike a certain sheriff she could mention.

Hannah had no sooner put in their order than Mr. Speak of the Devil strode through the door, Mike right behind him. Chase waved her over, his grim expression disconcerting.

“Hey, what’s up? You two look so serious.”

He gestured her closer, and Hannah tried to ignore the flutter of her heartbeat. The man was obviously here on police business.

“The DNA tests from Lindy’s attack finally came in,” he said in a low tone. “Looks like Dillon Zelinsky was one of her attackers. And there’s more.”

Holy hell, as if that isn’t enough?
She waited for him to explain, which he seemed hesitant to do. A frisson of fear crept up her spine. For Chase to show this much concern, it had to be bad.

“What is it? You’re scaring the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry, but your safety may be at stake, so I need you to listen to me. John was the only one home when we went to make the arrest. I had a search warrant, and we turned up one of Hutch’s deposit bags in Dillon’s room; more than likely, the one stolen during the robbery.”

Stunned, Hannah could only stare. Then her brain started working again, and she remembered something she’d almost forgotten about until now—the pie box!

“We don’t have him in custody yet, and until we do, my number one concern is making sure you’re safe. I haven’t forgotten one of them threatened you. Will you please head straight to the station after your shift? And ask Miles to walk you to your car. I know it’ll still be light out, but better safe than sorry.”

Truly frightened now, Hannah readily agreed. “Of course.”

She’d always known the guy was a loser, so she had no problem seeing Dillon as one of the robbers. He’d been in trouble with the law since the time he’d spray painted ‘Mr. Mueller is an ass wipe’ across the office window of Redemption Middle school. But attempted rape? The thought chilled her to the core.

“Chase…are you sure he was one of Lindy’s attackers? This is going to kill his mother.”

“Lindy said one of them sneezed right outside her bedroom the night of the attack. Luckily, we were able to get a sample off the wall and have the DNA tested. And yes, the results are conclusive.” He glanced around. “Pretty busy today. You gonna be all right until closing?”

“I’ll be fine. Kelly got here about an hour ago. Oh, and Hutch is being released tomorrow. He’s staying at Lauren’s until he’s fully recovered.”

“I’ll give him twenty-four hours before he shows up here in his apron.”

Hannah couldn’t hold back a small smile. “That’s pretty much what I said.”

They shared an emotionally charged moment before Chase swiftly resumed his professional demeanor. “I’ll see you later. Again, please, come right to the station.”

“I will, promise.”

With one last nod, Chase did a quick scan of the diner, then gestured to Mike and strode out the door.

By the time annahHannah pulled into the parking lot of the police station, she’d nearly worked herself up into a full blown panic. Her best friend’s brother was not only was a prime suspect in Lindy’s attack, but the police also had proof linking him to Friday night’s robbery. And the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that it had been Dillon who’d threatened her. But had Jimmy been his accomplice? The guy was certainly no angel, and he’d been lying low for months. But he’d always sworn he’d never be anything like his father—a convicted armed robber.