28 Days(64)

“What?” Saige said, shocked. “Why wasn’t that looked into at the time?”

“I honestly don’t know. The fact was he wasn’t around during the investigation, so I’m guessing the officers who questioned the people of the town weren’t even told about Paul.”

“I have to say that I never saw that coming with Paul,” Saige said.

Coulter stood and squeezed Saige on the arm. “I’ll call the minute I know something about Quinten.”

Saige nodded. “Thank you.”





Day 16





6:30pm



* * *



Saige paced restlessly in the living room with her cell phone in hand. Coulter was certain the DNA results would be back today and so far she hadn’t heard anything. The temptation to call him was getting stronger, but she really didn’t want to bother him if he was busy.

Turning at the end of the living room for what felt like the millionth time, Saige stopped dead when she found Coulter leaning against the doorjamb. She waited as he walked toward her not giving anything away with the blank expression on his face.

As he approached his lips twitched and finally he smiled. “The governor has ordered his release and his record expunged.”

Saige blinked.

“Really?” she whispered.

Coulter nodded. “Really.”

The next minute she was wrapped around the detective with great, big sobs wracking her body. Saige knew that he tried to soothe her but, no matter what he said or did, her tears wouldn’t stop.

Even when a commotion outside of the room startled her, she lifted her head but rested it against Coulter’s large chest.

“You have to watch this,” Christina shouted, running into the room with Alex and her husband following closely behind.

Christina switched the television on and flicked the channels until she found what she was looking for.

The image was of Governor Stewart Sheffield at a press conference, and then he started to talk…

“I can confirm that Quinten James Peterson will be released from Harlington with all charges dropped and his record expunged later this week.

“His release comes after the arrest of Paul Lewis, who has confessed to murdering the five college girls and the kidnapping and subsequent torture of Saige Lockwood, which Quinten Peterson was wrongfully convicted of eight years ago. In addition, Paul Lewis has confessed to the murder of Jocelyn Peterson, Quinten Peterson’s ex-wife and two recent murders—Fern Jordan, who worked for Quinten Peterson’s defense attorney, and Tracy Adams, a one-time friend of Mr. Lewis.

“Mr. Lewis has been questioned extensively and is aware of things that only the killer would know. When he was arrested he had in his possession a jewelry box, which contained souvenirs taken from the victims. DNA evidence confirms that the jewelry belonged to all of the victims and contained Mr. Lewis’s fingerprints. His DNA is a match to the one sample found in the shack eight years ago, which had remained unidentified until now.

“At this time, we would like to extend our sincere apology to Mr. Peterson and his family and we are grateful that we were able to locate and apprehend the real killer before an innocent man lost his life.”

Saige turned to Coulter. “He’s being released this week?”

Coulter leaned close and whispered, “We have to be at the prison at four in the morning to pick him up.” He smiled down at her. “Tell Alex when he’s alone.”

Saige nodded.

“When?” Alex asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” Coulter replied.

Saige glanced up at him. “They’re just going to forget everything that has happened?”

Coulter offered a wry smile. “No, they aren’t going to forget. It would appear that a lot was kept hidden in regards to Quinten’s case and the governor has asked for a formal inquest to be done. He is up for reelection, but this makes the law look like idiots, so he wants answers. As do I.”

Saige frowned as she watched Alex slip from the room.

“I’ll pick you up around one-thirty in the morning,” Coulter whispered as he gave her one last hug. “Be strong.”

Saige nodded and smiled through her tears when Christina wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Quinten would be free, but where could she take him? His house had been sold years ago by Alex, and she sure as hell didn’t want to bring him to her father’s house.

Which meant that she really needed her own car. She didn’t want to rely on Coulter to drive them around. “I need to borrow a car,” she blurted.

Christina hugged her closer before she let go. “You can have mine for as long as you need.”

“What? You hate anyone driving your car,” her father reminded Christina.

“Dad, I’ll soon have Quinten back, so please don’t get annoyed at Christina for helping me out. I’d have thought that you’d like the fact that we’re getting along.”

Anger flashed in her father’s eyes and his jaw tightened before he visibly tried to relax his features. She felt, rather than saw, Christina backing away from her.

“I’ll see you later,” Christina said, and disappeared out of the room.

Saige moved to stand in front of her father, tears in her eyes. “I love you, Dad.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him. Minutes later, she finally felt his arms hold her just as tight.