Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(70)

Right. Andi was wasting time here, and she had no confidence that if he told her anything it’d be the truth. She stood. “I’d like to help you, but I don’t know where she is.”

“No problem.” He stood as well and pursed his lips. “You know, it’s been so long, I suppose there’d be no harm in telling you that my client had a son who asked for his grandmother’s diamond ring. He planned to give it to your sister if she accepted his proposal.”

Andi managed to keep her mouth from dropping open. Some guy’s mother hired Caldwell to investigate Stephanie? “What did you report back to her?”

A shadow crossed his face. “That she had no worries. Unfortunately for the son, your sister said no.” He paused, an expectant expression on his face.

Quid pro quo. “You might find Jillian if you look under her married name.”

He chuckled. “Unfortunately, that’s a red herring. As far as I can ascertain, she never married.”



Will called Andi and Brad on the way home from Nashville to make sure they knew Lacey’s graveside funeral was at five. With the cemetery close to the Hollister house, they would have thirty or forty minutes to look over the studio. He checked his watch. Three forty-five. He was fifteen minutes late, so where was everyone?

He walked behind the detached garage and checked to see if the studio was unlocked and he could get a head start. No, still padlocked. The building was actually a small two-room house that Tom Hollister’s grandfather had built, and that was probably the only reason Tom hadn’t torn it down after the murder. He’d padlocked it instead.

The padlock looked as though it hadn’t been touched in years, and he saw that the keyhole lock had been replaced with a newer lock that could be opened from the inside, something Andi couldn’t do when Brad and Will had locked her inside and gone to play ball. He felt bad about that now, actually had felt bad when they did it, but she’d been such a pesky little kid, always wanting to tag along.

Will wasn’t sure what he expected to find inside or even what he was looking for, only that he had a sense there might be something in the studio to help break the case.

While he waited for Brad and Andi, he surveyed the backyard, remembering the good times they’d shared here. Will had spent more time in this yard than in his aunt and uncle’s. He glanced toward the two-story house where they’d lived. He’d hated leaving that house, but after Jimmy’s arrest for Stephanie’s murder, his aunt couldn’t bear to stay.

He returned to his car as Andi pulled into the drive. His mood lightened as she climbed out of her Corolla. He’d thought about her all day, and when this case was closed, he planned to ask her out. “Good afternoon,” he said as she approached. She seemed a little unsteady.

“You too.”

Suddenly she stumbled, and he reacted, catching her in his arms. “Whoa,” he said and reluctantly released her.

“Ow!” She grabbed his arm again. “I think I sprained my ankle.”

“Let me carry you to the back porch.” He swept her up in his arms, amazed at how light she was. “This is getting to be a habit. Not that I mind.”

“Sorry.” She looked back at the ground and then gazed into his eyes. “What’d I stumble over?”

She hadn’t stumbled over anything but her own feet, and her pupils were the size of pinpoints. His mouth dried, remembering the pills he’d seen her take. “Are you still taking something for pain?”

“Put me down,” she said sharply. “I can walk.”

Once she was standing, she glared at him. “Have you been talking to Treece?”

“No.” But maybe he should. “Are you all right?”

“Of course I am. Just need a drink of water, maybe something to eat, that’s all.”

“You haven’t eaten lunch?”

She shook her head. “Haven’t had time.”

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“Don’t remember.”

He’d bet she hadn’t. They didn’t have time for this. The funeral was in an hour, but he was afraid she’d collapse if he didn’t get food in her. “I’m sure there’s something in the house to eat. Peanut butter, maybe. Why don’t I make you a sandwich?”

“I’m not hungry, that’s why.” She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand and then swayed as she stared at him. “I want to get this deal with the studio over with, and then I’ll eat.”

He hadn’t realized how difficult this might be for her. “You don’t have to go into the studio. Brad will be here soon.”

“That might be a good idea.” She took a step and hopped. “Oh!”

“That does it,” Will said and swept her back up in his arms. This time she didn’t protest. “Do you think the back door is open?”

“Probably not, but I have a key in my pocket.” She rested her head on his chest and sighed. “Thank you, Sir Galahad. For everything.”

She was definitely not normal. He carried her to the back of the house and set her on a chest freezer in the garage. “Can you sit there a second?” he asked as he took the key she held out.

Andi nodded. “Sorry I’m so much trouble.”

“You’re not trouble. But I do want to talk to you about the pain medication you’re taking.” He unlocked the door and handed her key back. “Let me see your ankle.”