Save Your Breath (Morgan Dane #6)(78)

“No.” Stella turned left. “There are still five missing women. Their cases are still open. I know the chain of evidence was screwed up and the former sheriff was a corrupt bastard, but planting evidence wouldn’t have been easy. The case was big. There were a lot of eyes on it. I have a hard time believing in elaborate conspiracies.”

“Do you think it’s more likely the chain of evidence error was an oversight, nothing deliberate?” The theory made sense to Morgan. “You don’t think it’s possible Cliff went to prison for a crime Joe committed?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what we need to find out. Joe didn’t want his brother to get an appeal. Why not? Most brothers would have lied for their sibling. But not Joe. He also designed the website for the auto shop, so he had access to the customer records. If he couldn’t alibi his brother for the night Brandi Holmes was killed, then he’s in the same boat. Home alone, sleeping, isn’t an alibi.” As the car cruised along the rural highway, Stella drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. “We can’t arrest him for designing a website or for not having an alibi. How would he have met the women? He didn’t work at the shop.”

“Designing the website is a solid connection with the auto shop, and he could have gone there when Cliff was working.”

A short time later, Stella turned into Joe Franklin’s driveway, pulled up to the intercom, and pressed the button.

“Yes,” said a male voice.

“This is Detective Stella Dane from the Scarlet Falls Police. I’d like to speak with you.”

A few heartbeats ticked away before he answered. “All right. Come up to the house.”

Morgan got out of the car and opened the gate. After Stella drove through, Morgan closed it and got back into the car. Stella drove around a curve and parked in front of a tall stone house.

Morgan stared at the house. Ivy climbed three stories of gray stone. Three goats trotted across the front lawn. “It looks medieval.”

Stella used the radio to report her location. They stepped out of the car and walked up to the house. A tall man answered the door before they knocked. He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him. From inside, the deep bark of a large dog echoed. When Joe turned his head, Morgan could see the top of a small flesh-colored hearing aid. He wore jeans, a flannel shirt, and boots.

“Mr. Franklin.” Stella introduced herself and Morgan. “We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“Go ahead.” He crossed his arms.

“Do you know about the chain of evidence error in your brother’s trial?” Stella began.

Joe met each of their eyes, assessing them, maybe trying to decide if they knew about Sharp and Lance’s visit from the previous evening. “I heard about it last night.”

“Have you spoken with your brother or his attorney?” Stella asked.

“Not yet.” Joe licked his lips.

“You’re not excited to help your brother appeal his conviction?” Stella’s eyebrows and voice rose.

“I just haven’t had a chance, that’s all.” Joe shifted his weight and looked away.

Liar.

Stella rocked on the balls of her feet. “How do you know the owner of Speedy Auto?”

“Who says I know him?” Joe raised his chin.

“You designed his website,” Stella said.

“That was years ago.” Joe uncrossed his arms and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. His voice sounded as if he were calm, but his inability to stand still or maintain eye contact said otherwise. He needed a push.

Morgan went for a major shock. “Did you know Brandi Holmes?”

His gaze snapped to hers.

“No,” he said, but his eyes were worried. He understood the implication behind Morgan’s question.

Morgan pressed harder. “How about Cassandra Martin, Samantha Knowles, Jessie Mendella, Brenda Chase—”

“No.” He cut her off. The color bled from his face. He clearly recognized the names. His voice was harsh as he answered, “Why are you asking me this?”

Morgan pressed. “There’s only one reason I can think of you wouldn’t want your brother to get his appeal. You killed those women, and you don’t want the case reopened.”

He shook his head hard. “No.”

Stella leaned forward, her voice rising as she jumped in on Morgan’s line of questioning. “Did you take your brother’s car that night? Did you put sugar in Brandi’s gas tank? Did you follow her until her car broke down? Did you kill her?”

“No!” He spun, holding his skull with both hands. “You don’t understand.”

Stella lowered her voice. “I can’t understand unless you talk to me.”

“I didn’t kill any of them, but their deaths are my fault.” He closed his eyes. His hands fell to his sides. “The reason I don’t want my brother to get an appeal is because he’s a monster.”

Morgan exchanged a glance with her sister, and they waited.

“I’ve known Todd, the owner of Speedy Auto, since college. I talked him into hiring Cliff.” Guilt lined Joe’s face. “It’s my fault those women are dead. If I hadn’t gotten him that job, he wouldn’t have met them. They’d still be alive.”