Her Last Word(25)

“Why are you doing this interview?”

“I want to find Gina. Maybe if someone hears my podcast, they’ll remember something and speak up.”

“Don’t be so sure everyone’s going to be happy about this project. Politicians, cops, the people who became obsessed with her—none of ’em want you digging up the past.”

“I couldn’t care less. It’s time.”

Police searches went on for months after Gina vanished. There were hundreds of tips that led nowhere. Some were cruel hoaxes, others were cases of mistaken identity, and even a few psychics called. Gina’s mother was still visiting psychics and tarot-card readers until her death. The media produced first-, fifth-, and tenth-anniversary stories. But all the leads and exposure took the case nowhere.

“I lost track of the man-hours I invested. We all busted our butts trying to find her. Have you recently talked to the cops?”

“The case is technically still open, so no one will speak to me. I’ve lost track of how many messages I left.”

He doesn’t look bothered by my frustration. “I’m surprised you came to see me. You hated me.”

“I’m still not fond of you. But I want to find Gina.”

He presses against the pillows supporting his back. “Did you ever remember anything more about that night?”

I hear the challenge behind his words. “Not more than I did fourteen years ago. I’ve tried, but I can’t fill in all the pieces.”

Detective North brushes imaginary lint from his creased sleeve. “Don’t beat yourself up. I know I was rough on you.”

“Why didn’t you believe me?”

“Too many holes in your story. Her blood was on your shirt. Your failed memory. Your relationship with Randy.”

“Randy’s back in jail on murder charges.”

“I know. I keep up.” He sighs. “I leaned hard on him. I wanted to keep pressing, but finally had to settle. The guy never wavered from his story, and his parents were connected and had money. He was arrested for burglarizing a home in his parents’ neighborhood a few nights before Gina vanished. He got seven years for that conviction. To this day, I believe I got my man when I arrested him. Sometimes you lose and take what you can get. No way he’ll skate this time.”



CHAPTER SIX

Friday, March 16, 2018; 3:00 p.m.

Kaitlin had never been good at taking instruction, especially from cops. She’d learned firsthand no one was really safe no matter how carefully they played it. She parked at the end of the gravel driveway and studied the brick home covered in ivy and surrounded by boxwoods. It looked as she had remembered. A little digging had told her Randy’s mother, Ruth, still lived here.

Out of the car, pad and recorder in her purse, Kaitlin knocked on the door. Through its glass panes, she saw the flicker of movement before footsteps sounded in the hallway. The door opened to an older woman with sweeping white hair who was dressed in a flowing cream-colored shirt, black slacks, and flats. Her makeup was immaculate, and she wore a strand of pearls with a diamond clasp.

“Yes?”

“Mrs. Hayward?”

“That’s right.”

“I went to school with your son, Randy. My name is Kaitlin Roe.”

The smile vanished. “What are you doing here?”

Good to be remembered. “I went to see Randy earlier today.”

“Why?”

Kaitlin adjusted the backpack on her shoulder. “I’m making a podcast. I’m trying to draw attention to the Gina Mason disappearance.”

A neatly painted brow rose. “I’d think you’d want to forget what happened to your cousin.”

“I tried. I can’t.”

Mrs. Hayward shook her head. “I’ve worked hard to put that time behind me, and I’m not interested in opening old wounds again.” She moved to close the door.

Kaitlin blocked it with her hand. “I’m not here with a grievance. I have a couple of questions about Randy. Honestly, I just want to find Gina.”

Mrs. Hayward didn’t try to shove her. “You’re not the first reporter to contact me.”

“I’m not really a reporter. I’m looking for Gina. I might not ever find her, but at least she won’t be forgotten.”

“People don’t want to remember.”

“It’s not a matter of what they want.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You dated Randy for a couple of months. How old were you? Sixteen?”

“Yes.”

“A girl that age had no business dating a twenty-one-year-old man.” She shook her head. “I remember seeing you with him. You looked at him with adoration.”

“I was young and foolish.”

“Yes, you were.”

“I remember you told me to stay clear of him. I wouldn’t listen.”

“No, you didn’t. And I should have told your aunt about what was going on, but I didn’t want the trouble.” Her head cocked a fraction. “Do you still have a soft spot for Randy?”

“No. This has nothing to do with him.”

“Good. Because I don’t have any more love left for him. He isn’t worth it.”

Kaitlin sensed a small opening. “But you didn’t believe that then. You thought you could save him. I know you fought hard to keep Randy out of prison fourteen years ago. I know you loved him.”