Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
I already knew this. Not that Axel towed it, but that it was taken there. One of the first things we did was check the Ministry of Transportation’s records to confirm that Matt’s Honda Civic had been registered as scrapped that same weekend. That “beater” that Matt called his “ride or die” only the week before. It’s long gone now, stripped and crushed, the metal gone to recyclers along with any evidence we could have pulled from it.
“Okay.” I watch him closely as he guides the nozzle into his truck. Am I imagining things or does Axel have something specific he wants to tell me?
“He said it was dead, but the engine turned over fine.”
“And you thought that was strange?”
“No. I mean yeah, but what was strange was the trunk. It was empty. Tire kit gone, carpet ripped out, and it reeked like chemicals.”
That’s where Matt would have put Holly. Her blood was probably all over it. “Did you ask him about it?”
“I mentioned it. He said he was bringing industrial cleaners for the restaurant and they’d spilled in there. I didn’t think much of it. Not until now.” He meets my eyes again and something strange darts past. Is that regret? It’s gone just as quickly. “I don’t know if that helps any with your case, but I thought I’d tell you.”
What would have helped is if Axel had reported it to the police back then, but pointing that out isn’t productive. The fact that I’m getting any information from a Murphy, and offered, is shocking to say the least.
Besides, I can see why he wouldn’t make the connection between Matt and Holly. None of us did. We’ve been buying his story all these months. “Every bit of information is helpful.” I pause, considering how I want to word this. “Why are you coming to me with this? You guys haven’t exactly been eager to help in investigations in the past.”
“Honestly? I thought Landry did it, so what was the point of coming to the cops?”
“Because you actually thought I’d protect him if I thought he did this to that poor girl?” A mixture of anger and dismay fills me. How does a person live with such distrust for us? Then again, his father died at the hands of the police, and he was raised by Hank and Big Hank. Who knows what poison he was raised drinking?
“We’re going to make sure whoever did this to Holly pays for it.”
His brow pulls together. “Holly and I were just friends. I knew how young she was. But she was always nice to me. Not everyone around here is.”
Because of who his father is. I’m guilty of that judgment too. And for some inexplicable reason, I believe him about Holly.
“Would you be willing to give a formal statement about the trunk?”
“Maybe.” He purses his lips. “As long as it’s not gonna turn into something else.”
An interrogation, he means. “Just a statement about the trunk and anything you can remember about Matt that day,” I promise.
A cruiser pulls into the gas station then, easing in front of Axel’s tow truck.
He side-eyes it, then me. “Really?”
“Can you blame me after last time?” I gesture to Samir to stay put.
“Guess not,” he mutters.
I claim my receipt from the dispenser. “If you want to help with Holly’s case, you’ll come to the station and give that statement.”
His nod is almost imperceptible.
“Great. Thank you.” Maybe there is a working heart in at least one Murphy chest cavity, after all. And the tip may not be much but it’s another piece of the puzzle. If Terry plays it right, it might just be another nail to stick in Matt’s coffin.
Axel lingers, shifting from foot to foot as he waits for his fueling to finish. I imagine the idea of helping the police is unpleasant for him.
“See you soon.” I smile. For once around a Murphy, it’s genuine. “And Axel?”
His eyebrows arch with wariness. “What?”
“This mess between your uncle Hank and Logan, I’d stay far away from it if I were you. No need to get involved with something he did years ago. Consider that solid advice.” I don’t want to tip my hand too much.
I leave Axel to heed that warning, dialing Terry’s number as I pull away.
Chapter 47
Logan
“Gosh, aren’t they perfect?” My mother hovers over the tiny, sleeping figures in the bassinets, staring at her newest grandchildren, two girls born within minutes of each other. “And they don’t even need the incubator.”
“Of course they’re perfect. They’re Sarah’s.” Jon leans down to kiss Sarah’s forehead. “You did so good.”
“Babe?”
“Yeah?”
She peers up at him. “You’re never touching me again until you get fixed.”
I burst out laughing.
And that’s how Emery finds us, hugging a bouquet of white daisies against her uniform shirt, the circles under her eyes heavy from lack of sleep.