Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(54)

Andi poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and fumbled in her purse. “I think I know. Besides being stubborn, he’s spent so many years believing Jimmy did it, he’s going to need facts, not suppositions.”

“That’s Brad,” Will said. His friend had ticked him off more than once by accusing Will of going off on wild-goose chases. “He’s like that with all his cases, not just this one. But when he closes a case, it’s closed.”

“Then perhaps we better let him work on the Wilson case by himself until he has his proof,” David said.

Suddenly the contents of Andi’s purse spilled out on the table, and Will’s eyes widened as the top on an ibuprofen bottle popped off and pink tablets scattered. Instantly, he recognized them from his work at the mission. Lortab? She’d said yesterday she was taking ibuprofen. No, she’d said what she was taking was a little stronger than ibuprofen. Lortab was a lot stronger. Andi scooped up the pills and dumped them back in the bottle. Her lips tightened when she caught him watching her.

“Are you ready?” she said.

“Yeah.”

He held his tongue until they were in the car. “How—”

“Don’t start on me. My back has been killing me, and besides, I’m only taking what my doctor prescribed.”

“Does he know how many you’re taking?”

“I only take one when the pain gets bad.”

“Don’t you think it’s time to get your back fixed?”

“Do you know how long I’ll be out of commission? At least six weeks. I don’t have time for that right now. So let it rest.”

He thought of so many things he’d like to say. Like how easy it was to get hooked on the pink pill. But he’d learned working at the mission to wait. Anything he said right now would be met with total resistance. Instead, he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

The drive to the Hollisters’ was quiet. When he stopped in front of the house, Andi cleared her throat.

“Mom’s making spaghetti tomorrow night. That’s when we’re telling my parents that Stephanie’s case has been reopened.”

“Brad told me.” He’d forgotten that Barbara Hollister always made spaghetti on Friday nights. “Why haven’t you told them yet?”

She glanced toward the house. “Dad’s been having problems with his heart, but we’re afraid they’ll accidentally find out, and that would be worse.”

Learning the case had been reopened would be hard for the Hollisters.

Andi touched his arm. “You’re almost family. Would you be there too?”

Her hand sent an electric jolt up his arm. “Are you sure? They might not want me there.”

“They never blamed you, Will. I’m not saying that reopening the case won’t upset them, but it would be horrible if the truth doesn’t come out and Jimmy . . .” She hugged her arms. “That can’t happen.”

No, it couldn’t. He rubbed his jaw, then moved his hand to massage the tight knots in his neck. Family. In his memories, the Hollisters were more family to him than his own mother. “You need to forgive her, and not just for her sake, but your own.” He shook off his aunt’s words and squeezed Andi’s shoulder. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. I’ll tell Mom she’ll have an extra person around the table.”



Just as Will turned into the airport terminal, his cell rang. “Kincade.”

“It’s Walter Simmons. I’m working an early shift today, and when I came on, Jimmy asked me to call you. Someone named Jillian came to see him, and he’s real upset.”

Jillian went to see Jimmy? “Thanks, Walter.” If they could find Jillian, they might break this case wide open. “Tell him I’ll be at the prison in the morning.”

“Good. ’Cause I think he’s lost all hope.”

“Let him know I’m working on it. We’re going to solve this.” Will just hoped that was true. He parked in short-term parking and quickly walked inside the building. A quick check of incoming flights showed 651 was landing at B-27.

Brad was standing with his legs planted wide at the arrival door when Will arrived at gate B-27. It was hard to know what to say to his friend that wouldn’t make things worse.

“The plane just landed,” Brad said. “He’ll probably be one of the last off.”

Will had passed a Starbucks on the way to the concourse. “Want me to grab us a coffee while we wait?” When Brad nodded, Will walked the short distance to the kiosk and ordered two black coffees.

“Hazelnut okay?” he asked when he returned. The frown on Brad’s face was worth the joke.

“You’re kidding.”

“Yeah.” He wanted it to always be like this with Brad.

“Sorry for the way I acted back at the Wilson house.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Maybe we can get facts to go with your suppositions.”

That was a step in the right direction. He and Brad moved back as the door opened and passengers flowed out of the jet bridge. They finished their coffees and dumped the cups in a receptacle just as the crew walked through the door.

“Captain Matthews,” Will called as Adam Matthews walked past them.