Her Last Word(66)

“Why wouldn’t I? God, after that night. The senior class is bonded forever.” She shakes her head. “I was supposed be there with you, but I had a date with Randy Hayward.”

“Randy? I didn’t realize you two were close.”

“Not exactly close. And honestly, I was relieved when the date ended. He was weird that night.”

“How so?”

“Wired. Angry. Physical.” She rubs her hand over her arm as if soothing an old wound. “Now that I know he was a drug addict, it makes sense.”

“Did he ever talk about Gina?”

“Sure. He asked me if she still had her v-card.” Nadine sits silent for a moment. “That was odd, even for Randy.”

“Knowing Gina, what do you think happened to her?”

Nadine folds a small sticky note and creases the edges until the paper frays. “I think Gina’s temper is what got her.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I believe whoever took her thought he had a sweet, gentle girl. But she was a strong athlete who was a soccer goalie. I bet she landed a good kick or two and she hurt the guy. That set him off, and he killed her.” She shakes her head. “Breaks my heart to think about all the damage done by one sick person. My daddy used to say fear and self-pity don’t mend broken hearts. He said anger does because it motivates us to do the impossible.”



CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Tuesday, March 20, 2018; 9:00 a.m.

A cold front had blown into Richmond, chasing away any hint of spring they’d enjoyed a few days ago. It was thirty degrees when Adler arrived at the Main Street Station office complex.

Turning up the collar of his overcoat, he pushed into the marble lobby. A check of the directory told him Davenport was on the third floor. He rode the elevator and followed the signs to an open doorway at the end of the hall. There was no one at the receptionist desk, and the door behind it was closed. This gave him a moment to study the room’s rich Oriental carpet, the three overstuffed waiting chairs, and a stack of sleek magazines catering to the wealthy. He rapped his knuckles on the desk. “Hello.”

“Yes, I’m here.” The door opened to a man wearing dark pleated pants, a white collared shirt, and blue tie. He was in his midthirties, had sandy-brown hair, and looked like a former jock carrying an extra thirty pounds. After he took a good look at Adler, he reached for a suit jacket and pulled it on.

“I’m Tom Davenport.” He smiled and extended his hand.

Adler shook it and then reached for his badge. “I’m Detective John Adler.”

“Detective.” The smile waned. “What can I do for you?”

“Is there somewhere private we could talk?”

“Sure. The conference room.”

Adler followed Davenport, and when he closed the door, Adler said, “I’m working a murder case. Jennifer Ralston.”

“I heard about that. We went to high school together, but I haven’t seen her for several years. May I ask why you’re here?”

“Gina Mason’s name has come up several times during this investigation. You dated Gina, didn’t you?”

Davenport slid a hand into his pocket. “I did.”

“She broke up with you?”

“That’s right. And yes, I was pissed at the time, but looking back I can see she was right. A clean break made the best sense.”

“Looking back as you say, it had to hurt like hell.”

“Sure. But as I told the cops fourteen years ago, I wasn’t angry enough to hurt her. I loved her and was devastated when she vanished.” He rattled change in his pocket. “Did Kaitlin Roe send you? She wanted to interview me for some project, but I hung up on her.”

“No, but why hang up?”

“I don’t need any more of her manipulative bullshit.”

“How so?”

“She was trouble. Gina and I were doing great, and then Kaitlin moved in with the Masons. She brought so much chaos with her. Gina felt obligated to spend more time with her cousin. I even tried to help where I could, but I got pushed out.”

“How is that Kaitlin’s fault?”

“Gina and I were fine before her.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have left Gina that night when she needed help. And now Kaitlin has some fleeting idea she’s going to fix all this, now?”

“It sounds like you’re still mad.”

“Not at Gina. But sure, I didn’t and still don’t trust Kaitlin Roe.” He shook his head as he dropped his gaze to the floor. “I wish she’d been the one taken, not Gina.”

Davenport had known Jennifer, Erika, and Kaitlin, but Kaitlin had been certain she didn’t recognize her attacker’s voice. She’d spoken to Davenport recently, so she should have been able to identify him. “Did you know someone stabbed Kaitlin?”

His eyes widened with shock. “She’s dead?”

“No, she’ll recover.”

Davenport drew in what felt like a calculated breath.

“Where were you on Saturday afternoon?” Adler asked.

“With my wife and son.”

“And she can confirm this?”

“Yes, but why should she have to?” Davenport was growing angry.