Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(57)

Donovan leaned back in the chair. “So, what are you working on, then?”

“The Stephanie Hollister case.”

“Stephanie’s case? But I thought Jimmy—I mean, isn’t he about to be . . .” He let his words trail off.

“Executed?” Maggie said. “Not if I can help it.”

She turned to David. “Jared also knew Stephanie and Jimmy. Jared actually dated Stephanie for a while. Didn’t you ask her to marry you?”

Red crept into his face. “But then she was murdered and you came along.”

Evidently Stephanie Hollister was quite the social butterfly.

Maggie flashed Donovan a quick smile. “You mean until she turned you and your diamond ring down. And you don’t like being turned down.”

“No one likes that, but I have lots of patience. Like with you. You’ll finally come around,” he said, winking. “Has new evidence been uncovered?” he asked, shifting his gaze to David.

“Something like that,” he replied. “Do you remember where you were the night Stephanie was murdered?”





19


“YOU’RE THE SECOND PERSON to ask me that today, and I’ll tell you what I told him—Stephanie Hollister died eighteen years ago,” Jared Donovan said, his expression never changing. “Why would I remember where I was that night?”

“Who asked you earlier?”

Donovan took a card from his pocket and glanced at it. “Sergeant Will Kincade.”

David didn’t recall Will mentioning Donovan. “Have you remembered anything since then?”

“I did think about it.” He scratched his chin. “I was probably in Brussels or maybe Paris. Eighteen years ago, I was just starting in my mother’s company and regularly accompanied her on her gem-buying trips.”

Donovan Jewelers. TV ads. That’s why he seemed so familiar. His family owned the premier jewelry store in Memphis, and Donovan made the perfect spokesman.

The waitress approached with their meal, and Maggie smiled. “Jared, it was good seeing you.”

He acknowledged her hint with a smile. “You too. There’s a fundraiser for Le Bonheur next Friday evening. I’d love to have you accompany me.”

She tilted her head. “Call me tomorrow. If I’m free, I would enjoy that.”

He stood and bowed slightly. “I will. Ninish?”

“Yes.”

David made a mental note to never use the term ninish. It sounded downright silly coming from a man.

After the waitress served their plates, he took a bite of the lasagna and said, “I’d forgotten how good this is.”

“It’s my favorite.” She hesitated. “Sorry about the intrusion.”

He waved her off. “Nothing to apologize for. But you don’t like him much, do you?”

“I like him fine, but a couple of years ago, he got a little too serious, so I try to keep him at arm’s length now.”

“You mean serious, like marriage?”

She sipped her tea. “Yes. And I wasn’t ready for that. And I’m still not.”

He’d wondered why a woman as beautiful and accomplished as Madeline Starr wasn’t married. Wasn’t sure he wanted to ask now. “So, earlier I sensed that everything didn’t go well with your meeting with Jimmy.”

Her mouth twitched. “Our meeting went well. It was the meeting with the DA that didn’t.”

“Laura Delaney? I thought you two were friends.”

“We are, but it stops at her office.” She forked through her salad. “And thank you for not asking why I’m not married.”

“I figure you have your reasons.”

“I do, and it’s nothing dark and mysterious. I simply haven’t found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Good enough.” She seemed perplexed, and he laughed. “I actually understand what you mean. I had that kind of love once—you’ll know when you find it.”

Memories blindsided David. Lia, beautiful and exotic with her long black hair softly framing her face as she walked down the aisle the day they married. In the hospital the day their daughter was born, love flushing her face and shining from her dark eyes. In the morgue, her lifeless body on a table. A band tightened across his chest, choking off his breath.

He laid his fork on the table and took a deep breath. David had no choice in when the memories hit, but he was usually able to keep his emotions at bay. He focused on the wedding band on his left hand, waiting until he could speak without his voice cracking.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Not your fault.” He picked his fork up again. “What did the DA say, and why did you go to her?”

Maggie shrugged. “I’m petitioning the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals tomorrow in Jackson, but unless new evidence surfaces right away, they’ll turn us down. I went to Laura because the DA can cut through the red tape. She could have bought us time.”

“Why wouldn’t she help?”

“For the same reason the first DA pushed for the death penalty—politics. He had big political ambitions, and she’s running for Congress. Neither want to be viewed as soft on crime.” Maggie shrugged. “Her words, not mine. Besides, she believes he’s guilty.”