Silent Justice (25 page)

“Richdale Pizza.”

Hank waited until Adam recovered enough to continue.

“Ira Toddle.”

“Was he a bully too?”

“Yes,” Adam whispered. “He was.”

Hank wrote the name down before asking, “He worked at Richdale Pizza?”

Adam nodded.

“Where did you kill him?”

Adam could barely speak. “Behind the store. I … I shot him. In the face.”

“Where’s the body?”

“I hid it behind a parked car.”

Hank spoke in a low voice. “Were there any more, Adam?”

Adam shook his head. “That’s all. I’m pretty sure.” He raised his eyes toward Hank, pleading, “Please help me.”

“We’ll get you some help.” Hank closed the folder, picked it up, then looked over at King. “That’s enough for now. We’d better check out these bodies and continue from there.”

King nodded, bounced off the wall, opened the door, and Hank followed him out. King wandered back to the precinct while Hank stepped into the next room.

Jake and Annie turned toward him as he entered. Hank glanced at Annie. Her eyes were moist, but he said nothing about it and turned to Jake.

“He’s a pretty messed-up guy,” Hank said. He glanced through the glass where Adam still shook, his head in his hands. The man’s sobs came through the speaker. Hank turned back to Annie. “Thanks for your help on this one. Diego will be extremely pleased.”

“I’m just happy it’s wrapped up,” Annie said, her voice shaking.

Jake turned to Annie. “Shall we go?”

Annie nodded and followed Jake from the room. Jake turned back, leaned through the doorway, and grinned at Hank. “I’ll let you tell Teddy White the news,” he said, then closed the door.

Hank watched the prisoner a few moments longer before going back to his desk. He was disturbed about the news of a fourth victim, but relieved it was finally over.

Chapter 45

Thursday, 3:52 p.m.

ANNIE SAT QUIETLY in the passenger seat as Jake pulled the Firebird out of the precinct parking lot. Adam would finally get the help he so desperately needed, but his life was about to undergo a drastic change.

His mother would be brought in for questioning before long, and when she heard the news of Adam’s arrest, she would be devastated. She had protected him through it all, but she’d broken the law in doing so.

Annie’s heart ached for everyone concerned, and other than her drinking buddy next door, Virginia Thorburn had no one to talk to.

She turned to face Jake. “I want to drop by and see Mrs. Thorburn.”

Jake glanced over and raised an eyebrow. “It’s over, honey.”

“It’s not over for everyone. It’s just starting.”

“I’m not sure if she wants to see me,” Jake said. “I didn’t get a very warm reception last time.”

“She’s under a lot of stress,” Annie said. “Besides, I have a few things I’d like to talk to her about. She’s going to be in a lot of trouble once the police bring her in and I don’t think she realizes it. I want to get some facts straight before she gets a lawyer and clams up.”

Jake gave a soft sigh, pulled to the side of the street, and made a U-turn. “You’d better call Chrissy.”

Annie took out her phone, called her friend and told her they would be awhile yet, asking if she would watch Matty a little longer. Chrissy informed her it was no problem and Annie hung up the phone.

In a few minutes, they turned onto Mill Street and drove toward the Thorburn residence. The police car that had sat across the road from the house was now gone. The officers hiding in the garage were likely relieved as well and would move on to the next task.

Jake pulled the Firebird to the side of the street in front of the house. They stepped out, went to the side door, and opened the screen. Jake knocked on the inner door and waited. After a few moments, he knocked again.

“I don’t think she’s home right now,” he said.

Annie peered through the window in the door. “She might’ve gone to work.”

“It’s a little early for that,” Jake said, looking at his watch.

Annie stepped off the porch. “Maybe we can come back later.”

Jake shrugged and followed Annie out to the street. Annie glanced down the sidewalk. A woman was walking toward them from some distance away, carrying a large handbag, and it looked like Mrs. Thorburn. “I think that’s her,” Annie said, pointing. “I wonder if she knows about Adam yet.”

Jake squinted up the sidewalk. “That’s her,” he said, leaning against a tree. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “And I’m pretty sure if she’d gone to see Adam, she’d still be there wondering why the place is filled with cops. Besides, she’s coming from the wrong direction. I don’t think she knows yet.”

“She’ll find out soon enough,” Annie said. She walked a few feet toward the woman, waved a hand, and waited. “We wanted to see how you’re doing,” Annie said, when the woman drew closer.

Virginia frowned at Jake and then gave Annie a faint smile. “I’m doing fine.”

“May we come in a minute?”

The woman hesitated, adjusted the handbag on her shoulder, then motioned toward the house. “I can spare a few minutes, but I need to get ready for work soon.” She turned and walked up the driveway.

Annie and Jake followed the woman to the house. Virginia dug her key from her handbag, unlocked the door, and swung it open. They stepped inside and the woman motioned for them to have a seat at the dining room table.

“Do you want anything? Coffee? Beer?” she asked.

Jake looked at Annie. “I’ll have a coffee.”

“Coffee, thanks,” Annie said.

The Lincolns sat at the table while the woman went to the kitchen. Annie glanced around at the assortment of items on the table. It was no tidier than last time and she wondered if the woman ever did any cleaning at all. An ashtray bulging with butts sat at the end of the table—Virginia’s favorite spot.

“I hope the coffee’s drinkable,” Jake whispered. He had noticed the mess too. He pushed back a plate that sat in front of him and brushed away some bread crumbs.

“Don’t be rude,” Annie said.

Jake chuckled. “She didn’t hear me.”

Virginia came in the room a moment later carrying a cup in one hand and juggling two in the other. She set them on the table and pushed one toward each of them. “I hope you like cream and sugar,” she said.

“It’s perfect,” Annie said, taking a sip. Jake agreed.

Mrs. Thorburn sat down in her spot, pulled a cigarette from a pack, and used the tip of it to rearrange the butts in the ashtray to make room for more. She lit it, closed her eyes and took a deep drag, blowing the smoke into the air above Annie’s head.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

“About Adam,” Annie answered. She hesitated and studied Virginia’s face. “Do you know he’s been arrested?”

Virginia Thorburn stopped halfway through another drag of her cigarette, her eyes bulging. Her mouth dropped open and the smoke worked its own way out. She waved it away with a hand and leaned in, speechless, her mouth still open.

“Just an hour or so ago,” Jake said. “Annie wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

The woman dropped her head into her hands, the cigarette coming dangerously close to singeing her hair. “Oh, no,” she moaned, then raised her head and asked quickly, “Is he all right?”

“He’s fine,” Annie said. “He’s at the police station.”

Virginia looked fearful. “He’s going to need a lawyer but I can’t afford it.”

“They’ll find him a legal aid lawyer, a public defender,” Jake said.

Annie knew the woman had talked to her son but didn’t know if she was aware of the last two murders. She didn’t want to bring them up right now; Virginia would find out soon enough. She looked closely at the distraught woman and said, “His memory is hazy on the murders of Nina White and Raymond Ronson. He can’t remember any of the details.” She hesitated. “Did he tell you anything at all about them?”

Virginia shook her head. “Last time I talked to him he didn’t remember anything at all.”

“He told me he was fond of both of them,” Annie said. “That’s what makes it so perplexing.”

“He didn’t know what he was doing,” Virginia said, tears in her eyes. “Maybe that’s why he put the roses in their mouths, a symbol of some kind to show he cared about them.”

Annie glanced at Jake as he coughed, choking on a swig of coffee. She turned back to Mrs. Thorburn. “We thought perhaps he had a crush on Nina White at one time. Did he ever mention that?”

Virginia shook her head. “Not to me.”

Jake stood. “I think I’ll get a little more cream in my coffee if you don’t mind.” He picked up his cup and wandered toward the kitchen.

Annie continued, “The police are going to want to talk to you soon.”

Virginia nodded her head, her voice weak. “I know.” She looked at Annie, her eyes pleading. “But I was only trying to help my son.”

“I realize that,” Annie said. “I’m sure they’ll take that into consideration.”

Jake returned, put his coffee cup on the table and sat, leaning toward the woman. “Mrs. Thorburn,” he asked, “how did you know about the roses in the mouths of the victims? The police didn’t release that information.”

Virginia’s eyes widened and she stared at Jake. “I … I. Adam must’ve told me.”

“Adam doesn’t remember any of the details,” Jake said flatly, then raised his voice. “What’re you not telling us?” He stood and dropped his arms on the table, leaning in closer. “Why does Adam not remember the first two murders but you know all about them?”

Annie looked curiously at her husband. She wasn’t sure what he was up to, but he had a good point about the roses and the woman’s knowledge of the murders.

Virginia didn’t answer Jake’s questions. She looked frantically back and forth between Jake and Annie.

“You claim to be such a caring mother,” Jake continued. “And yet you don’t want your son to get the help he needs. That made me very suspicious, but now I know for sure.” He narrowed his eyes. “Virginia Thorburn,” he said, his voice taking on an accusing tone, “did you kill Nina White and Raymond Ronson and frame your son?”

The woman gasped and froze, staring at Jake. Then she pushed back her chair and stumbled into the kitchen.

Annie stared bug-eyed, the realization hitting her. She sprang after the woman, then stopped short when Virginia stepped from the kitchen, a grim look on her face and a shiny new pistol gripped in one hand.

“You just couldn’t leave it alone,” she said. “You couldn’t mind your own business and now you leave me no choice.”

Jake still sat at the table. Annie stepped backwards and dropped into her chair as Virginia moved to a phone on the wall, picked up the receiver, and dialed a number.

“You’d better get over here,” the woman said into the phone. “We have a big problem.”

Chapter 46

Thursday, 4:21 p.m.

HANK HAD A STACK of paperwork to do, a lot of loose ends to tie up, and a long list of questions he needed answered before he could close the case and take a much-needed rest.

Adam Thorburn had been placed in a holding cell and put on suicide watch. He was given a change of clothes, his old ones taken to the lab for forensic experts to examine. Traces of gunshot residue, blood spatter, and anything found in his pockets would be examined and documented.

The suspected murder weapon found at the old Cochran house where Adam had hidden out was also in the lab, and it would be inspected as well. CSI was still at the scene where they would go over the dwelling thoroughly. Their report would be forthcoming, but Hank didn’t expect it would shed any further light on the investigation. Everything was pretty cut and dried.

He’d sent King out with a handful of officers to locate the bodies of the two latest victims Adam had mentioned. They’d be gone awhile, and Hank wanted to get as much work as possible done on the case before they returned.

Following the interview of Adam Thorburn, the Lincolns had left the precinct without giving their statements. They had to get home to Matty. Hank planned to drop by their place later and get the rest of the details, but for now, he was satisfied with the information he’d obtained from them.

And now, he wanted to request a warrant for the arrest of Virginia Thorburn. He had sufficient factual information to establish probable cause she’d committed a crime, and a written affidavit to a judge would be all that was necessary. She would be brought in, questioned at length, and charged with harboring a fugitive. It would then be up to the crown whether or not they wanted to pursue those charges, but Hank had to do his job.

He thumbed through a stack of paperwork on the edge of his desk, removed the folder on Virginia Thorburn, and leafed through it. As he copied the pertinent information to the arrest warrant, something caught his eye. Something didn’t add up that he never noticed before.

He decided to dig a little deeper and he turned to his computer, searching through a variety of databases. From what he could find through birth, death, and marriage records, Virginia and Adam’s father, Mason Thorburn, had been married eight years ago. Virginia was Adam’s stepmother, not his mother.

Adam’s birth mother had died when he was an infant, and Virginia was the only mother he’d ever known. That must be why Adam always referred to her as his mother. And when Mason had died almost a year ago, she’d been the only family he had left.

It appeared the death of Adam’s father might’ve been the turning point in his life. That’s when he began to worsen, his mental illness producing new and frightful symptoms, ultimately leading to murder.

Hank’s phone rang and he answered it. It was Rod Jameson calling from the forensic lab. “Hank,” Jameson said. “We went over Thorburn’s clothes as well as the weapon. Normally, we would document everything and get it to you as soon as possible, but I wanted to give you a heads-up on our findings—or should I say, our lack thereof.”

“What did you come up with, Rod?” Hank asked.

“We went over the subject’s clothing thoroughly and there were no traces of blood or gunshot residue on any of the articles or on his shoes.”