Wrecked (Josie Gray Mysteries #3)(87)
Delores sipped and thought about her friend Maggie’s daughter, Sheila. Why were some women so drawn to men with no conscience, or drive, or even compassion? And, why on earth, when they discovered these men for who they were, did these women continue to pursue them? An idea suddenly came to her, and with it a quandary. She knew full well that Otto’s conversations with her about police work were confidential, and in all their years of marriage she had never betrayed a confidence, never to impress or even to straighten out a stray bit of gossip with her girlfriends. But this case was different. Otto was in the woods, occupied, and she thought she might be able to help in other ways.
*
It was the transition time between sunset and moonrise, when the dying light along the river made the colors of the day fade and objects morphed into shapes that the mind couldn’t identify at first glance. They had decided to make use of the remaining daylight, hoping it would increase their chances of spotting a disguised campsite. Josie was in the lead, walking slowly along the river, dodging the debris that had collected through years of disuse, while trying to remain quiet and unnoticed. Marta followed behind her, watching both sides of the river closely as Josie scouted the path along the river’s edge. They had chosen to stay within a few feet of the river, where their way was less encumbered and quieter. Both were dressed in black jackets, black SWAT pants, and boots. Otto set up a perimeter along the road in case Wally got spooked and took off before they could reach him. The road was a straight shot for several miles, so unless Wally braved the Medranos on the Mexican side of the river, Josie felt sure that if he was here, they would find him.
*
Delores needed Sheila to open up and share information she would most certainly not want to discuss. Maggie was too angry with Sheila to offer much help, and instead would probably only alienate her daughter even further, so Delores opted to keep Maggie in the dark about her plan.
Sheila lived in a duplex across from the county jail, and as Delores drove past the jail, she felt an incredible wave of both guilt and excitement sweep over her. She felt quite certain that Otto was going to be angry with her for getting involved, but if she was right, he would surely forgive her.
Delores rang the doorbell and a moment later Sheila answered with the flustered look of someone obviously not anticipating visitors.
“Sheila! It’s so good to see you!”
Sheila looked around Delores to the driveway, most likely expecting to see her mother there. Delores knew her through Maggie, but certainly not well enough to stop by unannounced for a chat.
Sheila seemed to realize something was expected of her and she stepped back, pushing the screen door open so Delores could enter. She was in her late thirties with long curly hair that looked as if it needed to be cut and conditioned. She was thin with sallow skin and suspicious eyes, although Delores conceded that the girl was right to have been suspicious about her visit. She wore cut-off jean shorts and a skintight tank top. Delores wondered how this woman was related to, let alone the daughter of, sweet-natured Maggie.
“Come on in. It’s good to see you.” Sheila stood awkwardly at the door as Delores sat down on the lone couch in the small living room. “Is Mom outside?”
“No, no. No, this is just me. Just coming here with a favor to ask, really. I’m hoping you might be able to help out with something.”
Sheila pulled a chair from the kitchen table and dragged it into the living room. She sat and faced Delores.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she finally asked.
Delores sighed. “Well, yes, and I don’t know how to do this. I’m breaking a confidence coming here. Do you suppose I could tell you something and swear you to secrecy? Even from your mother?”
Sheila made a face. “We’re not exactly sharing secrets anymore, Delores. But, yes, I can keep a secret.”
Delores placed her hands on her knees, resigning herself to get on with it. “Okay. As you know, Wally Follet is in quite a bit of trouble.”
Sheila smirked as if preparing for a lecture she’d heard a hundred times before.
“Can I ask if you’re still dating him?”
Sheila laughed slightly, obviously taken aback. “Not that it’s anyone’s business, but yes, I am.”
“I just really can’t get into everything, but the police believe he is directly connected to Dillon Reese’s kidnapping.”
Sheila’s eyebrows raised and Delores felt instant gratification.
“When he went into hiding it was because he found out he was in big trouble with the government. You know that, right?”
Sheila tipped her head to the side.
“Do you know that he stole a lot of money?”
Sheila’s face blushed a deep red. “How do you know that?”
“If you tell Wally that we know this, it will put my husband in terrible danger. Not to mention what it could do to Dillon Reese. Do you understand?”
Sheila went still and Delores knew her intuition had been right. Sheila finally nodded.
“He stole millions of dollars from the Medranos, Sheila. They kidnapped Dillon Reese, an innocent man in all of this, in order to force Josie Gray to recover the money. I know you love him, but Wally’s done very bad things. Christina Handley died because of what he did. Do you realize that?”
Tears had begun to run down Sheila’s cheeks, and her eyes squinted shut, as if she wasn’t able to face Delores. “He told me he had to take a bunch of money but he wouldn’t say why. I kept asking. I knew it sounded wrong, but he told me he’d explain everything once he got Hec back. I really thought he was a good man. People just never gave him a chance. They don’t understand that Wally has a good side.”