Chapter 22

Melender blinked rapidly, trying to process Brogan’s words. “You do?”

Hope replaced the knot that had tightened in her stomach after the aborted kiss. She’d tried to act like it hadn’t affected her but couldn’t move past it to discuss architecture as if nothing had happened. Given her limited interactions with men outside of prison, she had no idea how to handle her attraction to Brogan. All she knew about dating she’d learned from sitcoms, movies, and books, which didn’t exactly parallel real life.

He squeezed her hand. “I believe you.”

For a moment, she basked in the knowledge that someone believed her innocent of Jesse’s disappearance. Then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, a quick, soft brush of her lips. “Thank you.”

Melender’s heart kicked up a notch as his eyes widened. A barking dog broke the spell as a panting Labrador retriever bounded past them after a Frisbee. Brogan stepped back, letting go of her hand. “I think building 1816 is to the left.”

Melender shook off her disappointment at the dog’s interruption and kept pace with Brogan as they approached the common, ground-floor entrance to 1816. They were here to question Jared, not canoodle, as Sudie used to say about courting couples. She needed to remember that proving her innocence would be the only way she’d have a chance at a normal life.

Brogan pulled open the main entrance door, then scanned the four downstairs units. “Number seven should be on the second floor at the back.”

Following Brogan up the stairs, Melender mentally reviewed the interviews with Jared. On the landing, rock music permeated the walls of a condo.

“Someone likes to play their heavy metal loudly,” Brogan said.

Melender stopped short. The notes formed a familiar song. Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Blame the Reaper” thumped behind the door to number seven, but even without the confirmation, she’d have known the sound was coming from Jared’s condo. He used to play that particular tune in his room with his buddies.

“Are you okay?”

She gave a jerky nod. She wasn’t seventeen anymore. Brogan was with her. Nothing would happen. Blowing out a breath, she squared her shoulders. “I’m fine.”

Before he could question her further, she marched up to number seven and knocked on the door. The music was even louder now that they were standing in front of the source. She pounded harder on the door.

The music ended abruptly, then the door flew open. “Whattya want?” Dressed in a threadbare tank top and baggy shorts, Jared stared at Melender. “You.” His expression hardened.

Melender merely stared back, refusing to let her cousin intimidate her. “Hello, Jared. It’s been a long time.”

Jared grunted. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.”

Beside her, Brogan crowded near, his solid frame giving her strength. “Not as much nerve as you did when you lied to the police.”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t had any trouble with the police in years.” Jared flicked his gaze from Melender to Brogan and back. “Who’s he?”

“A friend. Can we come in? Or do you want your neighbors listening in on our conversation?” Melender had segued into the calm, cool, and collected persona she’d practiced over and over again in her cell. She’d imagined this encounter so often that it was almost like playing a part in a play she’d rehearsed a thousand times.

“Sure, why not.” Jared pulled the door open the rest of the way and stepped aside.

Melender entered the condo, Brogan at her heels. Jared closed the door and stalked into the living area where a leather sectional sat in front of a huge flat screen television. A war-themed video game on pause. Jared hit the power button, and the image faded. Chin-cocking toward Brogan, he asked Melender, “Are you gonna introduce your friend?”

“Brogan Gilmore.” Brogan extended his hand to Jared, who didn’t even acknowledge the gesture. “I’m a reporter with the Northern Virginia Herald.”

Jared turned his attention back to her. “What do you want?”

“The truth.”

“What truth?” Jared flopped down on the couch, stretching one of his arms across the back of the cushions. His right leg jiggled up and down.

“About what really happened to Jesse.”

“You’re the only one who knows that.” Jared shook his head. “Why don’t you own up to the truth and tell us where you buried Jesse?”

“Lying in court is a crime.” Melender ignored his question.

Jared snorted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You said you weren’t home the night Jesse went missing, but the nanny told the cops Ruby left you in charge of Jillian and Jesse.” If Melender hadn’t been watching Jared so closely, she might have missed the anger that passed over his face in a flash.

“If that was the case, why didn’t they follow up?” Jared held up his hand in a motion that said he really didn’t want her to answer. “I’ll tell you why. Because they knew you killed Jesse.”

Melender had been expecting Jared to lash out if she questioned his recollection of that night, but it still hurt to have those who had known her believe she’d hurt Jesse. While incarcerated, fellow prisoners, anonymous letter writers, and the press had called her a baby killer, but she’d been able to largely brush off their words. Now she schooled her face to betray none of her inner turmoil.

“What about the ransom money?” Brogan spoke in a casual voice. “They didn’t tie that to Melender.” He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Jared. “I wonder who sent the kidnapping note and picked up the ransom?”

Jared wiped his hands down his shorts. “Got me.”

“Some of it turned up, you know.” Brogan continued in a conversational tone.

“Really? I hadn’t heard.” Jared tried to sound bored, but Melender detected a thread of fear inching into his voice.

“Twenty thousand dollars of the ransom money,” Brogan said. “In the possession of a dead drug dealer called Snake.”

Jared’s expression didn’t change. He knows about Snake’s death.

“What’s that got to do with me?” Jared shrugged.

“You knew Snake.” Brogan’s eyes narrowed. “In fact, I heard you and Snake were very close, that he was your supplier for a rather nasty drug habit.”

Jared leaped to his feet. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know where you got your facts, but they’re wrong. It’s time you left.” He went to the door and threw it open. “Now.”

Melender stood. “You seem rather upset, Jared.”

Brogan rose beside her.

“Yeah, I’m upset.” Jared pointed a finger at her. “You have no right coming here, stirring up trouble. It was bad enough when Dad married Ruby and those two little brats came along. But you. You spoiled everything.”

* * *

“Why wouldJesse and Jillian mess things up for you?” The slight tensing of Melender’s shoulders told Brogan she wasn’t as calm as her tone portrayed.

“How do you think?” Jared huffed. “The trust my grandfather put in place for any grandkids was now going to be split three ways.”

“That must be a lot of money. You must have been angry.” Melender sounded sympathetic to Brogan’s ears.

“Yeah, I was.” Her cousin threw her a sly look. “But not enough to kill Jesse, if that’s what you’re after.”

“I’ve often wondered why you lied to the police about not being home that night.” Melender continued.

“What do you mean?” Jared clenched and unclenched his hands.

Brogan shifted slightly in case Jared did more than posture his displeasure.

“You know exactly what I mean. I was at a graduation party down the street. Ruby left the kids in your care. You told me they were both asleep when I got home at eleven. Then the next morning, Isadora started screaming Jesse was gone.” Her hands tightened slightly, the only sign she was agitated.

Brogan was so busy watching Melender and Jared’s body language that he nearly missed the significance of her words, which fit with what the nanny had said in her interview.

Jared rolled his eyes. “Who did they believe when I told them you were left in charge of the kids all night long? Ruby and Quentin backed me up. You were the odd man out, little cousin. No one cared what happened to you.”

Melender didn’t flinched at the harsh words. Brogan didn’t know whether to be impressed by her self-control or saddened that she must have endured far worse verbal abuse during her incarceration. “You admit you lied about being left in charge of Jesse and Jillian?” She pressed Jared.

“Sure, if it makes you feel better, I admit it.” He leaned towards her. “So what? Not as if it matters anymore.” He averted his eyes from hers.

“What was Jesse wearing that night?” Melender shifted the conversation.

Jared glared at her. “Woman, you are getting on my last nerve. How should I know that? It’s been nearly twenty years ago.”

“Surely you’ve thought about what your little brother was wearing the last time you saw him.” Brogan interjected to divert Jared’s attention from Melender.

“I haven’t a clue what the kid was wearing, okay?” Jared swept his arm toward the open door. “Leave. Now.”

Brogan moved to stand by Melender, who had gone stock still, her eyes focused not on Jared but on something past his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go.” He touched Melender’s arm, but she shook off his touch.

Pointing a finger at Jared, she said, “You were doing drugs that night.”

“What? No way.” Jared shook his head.

Melender didn’t give up. “You left the kids alone to meet Snake. He’d never come to the house. I heard you begging him to come once, but he was afraid of Quentin. So you used to meet him at the end of the driveway.”

“That’s old news.” Jared linked his hands on top of his head. “I’ve been clean for years.”

Brogan took a chance and asked the question building in his mind. “Then why were you meeting Snake the night he was killed?”