The Right Call (4 page)

“Mr. Davison, please try to calm down,” Brill said. “I understand how upset you must be about your son, but raising your voice won’t make things happen faster.”

Win Davison glared at her. “Why aren’t you out looking for Tal’s killer instead of asking me all these questions?”

“Sir, we’re gathering facts,” Brill said. “And I do have police officers knocking on doors in the four- and five-hundred blocks of Stoneleigh between your son’s apartment and where his cell phone was found. We also questioned his roommate at length.”

Davison rolled his eyes. “According to Tal, his roommate always had his head in a book. I doubt a geek like that would notice a murderer if he stood in the doorway with a gun in his hand.”

“Are you aware that Drew Langley heard your son collapse—and tried to save his life?”

“Tried, yes—and failed.”

Brill bit her lip.
That was cold
. “Drew’s attempt was heroic, Mr. Davison. I’m sure the trauma of giving mouth-to-mouth to a dying friend is a memory he’ll never shake.”

“Excuse me if I don’t start weeping. His life’s going to go on, and he’ll hardly skip a beat. Mine won’t. Tal was my only son—my namesake. I’ll never get that back.”

Brill studied Davison. Was she misreading him, or did he regard Tal more as a possession than a child? “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“
That’s two of us. I want the scum who did this.”

“So do we.” Trent Norris picked up a pencil and bounced the eraser on the table. “Do you have any idea who would want to hurt Tal?”

“No. That’s
your
job.”

“Can you give us a list of his friends?”

Davison paused, his face blank. “He was an adult. I don’t keep track of his friends. Ask his roommate.”

“We did, sir.” Trent wrote something on his yellow ruled pad. “We were hoping to compare lists. We’re exploring every angle.”

“While you’re exploring every
angle
, my son’s killer is on the loose.”

“An important part of every investigation is the process of elimination.” Trent put his pencil down. “So let me start with you, Mr. Davison. Where were you tonight?”

“Me? How dare you even suggest that I—”

“It’s just a question, sir. No one is suggesting anything.”

“Home with my pregnant wife. Ask her.”

“Do you own a gun?”

“Yes, and I have a license for it. A Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter compact. I bought it for protection out at the lake house. We keep it locked in the nightstand. The key is under the lamp.”

“Does your wife know how to use it?” Trent said.

“Yes. We both took lessons at the shooting range. I find the implication insulting.”

“We’re not implying anything,” Brill said. “Captain Norris is just following protocol.”

Trent made a notation on his pad. “When was the gun fired last?”

Davison sighed. “Months ago. I don’t remember the exact date of our last lesson, but I can check my calendar.”

“Let’s wait until we hear back from ballistics,” Brill said. “Tell me about your relationship with Tal.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Were you close?”

Davison shrugged. “Not as close as we should’ve been. His mother and I divorced when he was little. I remarried and didn’t see much of him growing up.”

“Was there tension between you?”

“Just the usual father-son power struggles.”

“Can you give some examples?” Brill asked.

“Tal didn’t see the point of going to college. I disagreed. He thought he should be able to stay with me for the summer and not have a curfew. He was wrong. He thought it was none of my business that he drank too much. I told him as long as he was my son it was my business. Stuff like that. What does any of this have to do with you finding the killer?”

“The more we know about Tal and the people in his life, the easier it will be to put pieces of the puzzle together. Like Captain Norris said, solving a crime involves a process of elimination.”

“Let me tell
you
something.” Davison’s eyes turned to slits. “I have six daughters. Number seven is on the way. Tal was probably the only son I’ll ever have, my namesake—Winfield Talbot Davison the
fourth.
He came from a long line of business tycoons. Thanks to that scum you should be out looking for, there’s no male heir to carry on the family name and business.” He brought his fist down on the table. “I want justice.”

Brill studied Davison’s stern expression. He wore the face of a demanding CEO, not a grieving father.

“We all want justice,” she said. “Let’s go back to my question. So you and Tal weren’t close?”

“Close enough. Frankly, I don’t see what that has to do with anything. You people are crossing the line here. Maybe it’s time I called my attorney.”

Trent leaned forward on his elbows. “That’s certainly your right. But unless you have something to hide, you have nothing to fear from us.”

Davison paused for a moment, then looked from Trent to Brill. “All right, let me be clear about my relationship with my son … Tal and I were on the same page. He understood who he was and the responsibilities he would inherit. I paid every dime of his college expenses and had a nice position waiting for him at Davison Technologies once he got his business degree. I bought him that Hummer when he turned twenty-one. Gave him credit cards to the best clothing stores. I bought him the best computer, best smartphone, best iPod, and whatever else he wanted. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s the relationship I had with him.”

“Thank you,” Brill said. “That answered my question. I think that about does it, unless Captain Norris has more questions.”

Trent shook his head and finished writing something. “We appreciate your cooperation, sir.”

“Don’t patronize me.” Davison pushed back his chair and stood, his Rolex reflecting the overhead lights. “I don’t appreciate being grilled like a common criminal. I’m going to report you both to Mayor Roswell.”

“I assure you, we were just doing our job,” Brill said.

“Yeah, well, I’ve heard how you do your
job,
Chief Jessup.”

Chapter 5

Brill
shut the door to her squad car and strolled toward the beautiful, quaint two-story house she and Kurt bought the day it went on the market. She looked up at the twinkling night sky through the tree branches that hung over Azalea Lane and listened to a choir of crickets serenading anyone who would listen.

The kitchen light was on at the Masinos’. She wondered if Tessa and Antonio had heard about the shooting and stayed up to watch the news.

Brill pushed open the front door and was hit with the delicate scent of roses, a gentle reminder that she would never again have to doubt Kurt’s faithfulness.

She opened the closet door and hung up her sweater.

“I figured you’d be late.” Kurt came up behind her and put his arms around her, his cheek next to hers. “Vanessa hasn’t come home yet.”

“Where’d she go?”

“She took some food over to Drew Langley at his parents’ house. She called earlier and said he was really shaken up. Should she even be over there? Is the guy a suspect?”

“The parent in me wishes Vanessa wasn’t so close to it. But the facts we have now don’t point to Drew being a suspect. Let’s go sit.”

Brill went into the living room, flopped on the couch, and kicked off her shoes. “Ahhh … that’s better.”

Kurt sat forward in the overstuffed chair, his elbows on his knees, his hands laced together. “So tell me what happened.”

Brill recounted everything she knew about the shooting based on Drew Langley’s statement and the condition of the crime scene. “Drew claims he discovered his roommate wounded in the apartment, and we can tell from the blood spatter that the victim was shot on the sidewalk outside. There’s a very clear blood trail from that point to the couch. Drew’s story makes perfect sense, and he tested negative for gunshot residue.”

Kurt arched his eyebrows. “Anyone hear the shot?”

“Several neighbors reported hearing a popping noise around ten forty-five. No one will admit to seeing anything. But shots were reported a few blocks away shortly after the victim was shot. Our killer could be some thug who went on a shooting spree.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

“In more ways than one. The victim’s father is Win Davison.”

Kurt held her gaze. “As in Davison Technologies?”

“That’s the one.”

“I heard he’s a real control freak.”

“Who told you that?”

Kurt smiled sheepishly. “Okay, so guys
do
gossip at the barbershop. What’s he like?”

“I’m not sure it’s fair to assess the man under these shocking circumstances, but he was intimidating—or tried to be. He’s obviously a man who’s used to getting his way.”

“Is he a suspect?”

“Not really. His wife says he was with her all evening. But since he owns a nine-millimeter Smith and Wesson, we can’t rule him out until the ballistics report comes back. So what else did Vanessa have to say?”

Kurt stifled a yawn. “Just that she and Ethan were hanging out with Drew for a while to make sure he was okay.”

“She has a final next week. She’s supposed to be studying.”

“Actually, she did a fair amount of studying earlier today, and Emily took charge of Carter the minute she got home from school.”

“Well, that’s good. Who would’ve ever guessed that Vanessa would finish her junior year without missing a step?”

Kurt smiled. “We make a good team—the four of us. It helps that Carter’s been such a good baby.”

“He’s a joy. Sometimes I wonder what we did before we had him. I thought I’d be eager for Vanessa to get her own place, but now I’m almost dreading it. I can’t imagine how Emily will react.”

Kurt rose to his feet. “Well, that’s not going to happen for at least another year.”

“It’s hard to say what could happen between now and then, what with the way Ethan and Vanessa can hardly take their eyes off each other.” Brill chuckled. “Listen to me. I sound like Tessa Masino.”

Kurt held out his arms and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, Chief. Let’s go to bed and leave the matchmaking for another day. You need to focus all your attention on this case.”

Tessa Masino stood at the window in her bedroom and saw the lights go out at the Jessups’. There hadn’t been a murder in Sophie Trace in almost a year, and this was bound to dredge up memories of Brill’s encounter with the ex-con she had helped put in prison.

“Come to bed, love,” Antonio said. “It’s late.”

“Tell that to my brain.” Tessa let go of the curtain. She climbed into bed and nestled next to Antonio. “I’m wide awake. I don’t know why I come to life just about the time everyone else goes to sleep.”

“Probably so you can pray about all that meddling you do. I’m sorry—
intercession.”
Antonio smiled and kissed her cheek.

“It’s certainly intercession when the Lord nudges me to get involved.”

“I know. I just like giving you a hard time.” Antonio brushed the curls out of her eyes. “It
is
the ideal ministry for a night owl.”

“I suppose you’re right. I probably won’t be tired for hours. I might as well get up and do something useful.”

Antonio looked at her knowingly. “It won’t do any good to worry about Brill.”

“I’m not exactly worried. But tonight’s shooting probably stirred up some unpleasant memories for the Jessups. They seem to be doing so well. I just don’t want to see anything change that.” Tessa studied the shadows on the ceiling. “It’s been a privilege watching what God has done in that family. And I’ve never seen Emily so happy. She adores that little baby.”

“She sure does. But the one I’ve had my eye on is Vanessa. She was downright depressed when she came home from college pregnant, knowing the baby’s father wasn’t going to help her raise him. Just look at her now.”

“Some of that sparkle has to do with a certain someone. I wonder if she and Ethan are getting serious.”

“Is this meddling now, or intercession?” The corners of Antonio’s mouth twitched.

“I’m not sure.” Tessa smiled in spite of herself. “Maybe a little of both.”

Ethan sat on the front porch swing at Drew’s parents’ house, his arm around Vanessa.

“Thanks for being so nice to Drew. He’s really on the edge.”

“I’m not surprised, after such an earth-shattering experience,” Vanessa said. “At least he was able to fall asleep.”

“It was thoughtful of you to bring food.”

“There’s enough for lunch tomorrow—for both of you. I thought it might be nice not to have to worry about fixing something.”

“You’re reading my mind. It’s late. You really should go home and get some rest. Carter will be up bright and early, and you’ve only got tomorrow and the weekend to study for your last final.”

Vanessa put her head on his shoulder and nestled closer. “We’ve hardly had a moment together. I just want to enjoy a few more minutes. After all the weeks of waiting, it doesn’t seem real that you’re actually here—and for the entire summer.”

“I know. It’s all I could think about all the way home. I’ve missed you so much.” He pressed his lips to her cheek. “I’m sorry our first evening together ended with a tragedy. I’m glad I can be here for Drew, but it’s too bad his mom and dad are out of the country.”

“You were so good with him.” Vanessa looked up, her clear blue eyes heavy with fatigue. “I don’t know how you do it, but you never seem weighed down by other people’s problems. That’s why you’re going to make a wonderful psychologist.”

“Give yourself some credit. You were great in there.”

“Thanks, but I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck
and
the bus behind it. You’re the one who’s cool and collected.”

“I’ve always been able to look at situations objectively. Maybe that’s why people talk to me.”

“I did.” Vanessa held his gaze. “I so appreciated that you didn’t judge me for getting involved with Professor Nicholson.”

“Judging you was a sure way to put up a wall. What you needed was a friend—and grace to figure it out for yourself.”

“It took a while. But I realize now that my relationship with Ty was doomed to fail. I should never have gotten involved with an unbeliever and compromised my values. I regret getting involved with Ty, but I wouldn’t trade Carter for the world. And he deserves to grow up without his parents disagreeing over what values to teach him. I think it’s best all the way around that Ty’s not involved in Carter’s life.”

“I’ve never heard you say that before.”

Vanessa gently stroked his bicep. “I’ve worked through it. I’m completely over him.”

“
Completely
is a strong word.”

“Yes, it is.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened. Did she mean that? Did she know herself well enough to be sure?

Vanessa’s perfume wafted under his nose. He pulled her closer, aware of every inch of her. Was it too soon to declare the full extent of his feelings? This relationship wasn’t about just the two of them. Timing was everything. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off.

He pressed his lips to her cheek, then again, and again, moving his mouth ever so slowly to her ear.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

“Same here. I—”

In the next instant, their lips met and he drew her in, relishing her essence, restraint giving way to eager, prolonged kisses until their beings seemed to meld and he thought his heart would pound out of his chest. How long had he waited for this? Allowed the thought of it to sustain him through the months of separation—the seconds, minutes, and hours of loneliness? At last Vanessa was in his arms, free of her attachment to Ty Nicholson, ready to see if they might have a future together.

Stop!
The voice in his head seemed audible—urgent. He forced himself to back away, his pulse still racing wildly.

Vanessa’s eyes flew open. What was she thinking?

Ethan hid in the silence until his passion subsided. Finally he said, “Maybe we should ease into this. I just missed you so much. I can’t tell you how many times I almost jumped in the car and drove across the state to see you.”

“Really?” She smiled with her eyes. “I was tempted to do the same thing, but the idea of packing the car with all that baby gear forced me to be realistic. I knew I
had
to stay focused on my studies.”

“I’m proud of you. It can’t be easy juggling motherhood and school. In some ways, taking college courses online requires more self-discipline.”

“I couldn’t do it without Emily—well, without Dad and Mom either.”

“Your hard work paid off. You’ve almost got another year of college under your belt.”

“I do, don’t I?”

Ethan picked up her hand and kissed it. “We’ve got all summer to see where this is going. Let’s take it slow and do it right, okay?”

She nodded sleepily.

“You need to go home and get some sleep.”

“Are you sure you’re okay here with Drew?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Vanessa shrugged. “Maybe I’ve been a cop’s daughter too long, but what if whoever killed Tal thinks Drew saw him?”

“If your mother was worried about it, she would have told us. Go home, honey. I’ll take care of Drew.”

Brill awoke to the sound of her cell phone vibrating. She groped the nightstand and picked it up.