Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(75)

“Smells like Little Italy around here,” he said. “And cheesecake for dessert? We never have store-bought desserts unless there’s a special occasion.”

“You haven’t changed your clothes,” her mom said, disapproval in her voice.

“Sorry, Mom. I’m hungry,” Brad said, and then he nodded toward the box. “So . . . ?”

She shooed him toward the dining room table. “It will wait.”

Midway through the meal, Brad cleared his throat, and Andi kicked him under the table. She wanted him to wait until they knew what her parents’ announcement was.

When her dad consumed his last bite of cheesecake, he glanced at his wife. “Ready?”

She nodded, beaming. Andi had never seen her so excited.

Her dad sat a little straighter. “I’ve been offered an early retirement package, and I’m going to take it. Your mom and I are selling the house and buying a motor home so we can travel.”

Traveling around the country had been her dad’s dream for as long as Andi could remember. But with the case reopened, it’d make selling the house nearly impossible. Who wanted to buy property where someone had been murdered?

Andi and Brad exchanged looks, then she shifted her gaze to Will, who was sitting next to her father.

Confusion played in her dad’s eyes. “Well, don’t you have anything to say? Congratulations, maybe?”

“What’s the matter with you all?” her mom demanded.

Brad was the first to speak. “I’m sorry. I’m really glad you’re going to retire.”

“Me too,” Andi added. She gave Will a “say something” look.

“Yeah, that’s great, Mr. Hollister.” Excitement eluded Will’s voice, as it had the others.

Barbara Hollister sat back in her chair. “Well, if you get any more excited, you might get arrested for not disturbing the peace.” She folded her arms. “What’s going on? I suspected something when Will popped up—not that I’m not glad to have you, son, but you never come to dinner anymore.”

Brad took a breath. “Stephanie’s case is going to be reopened.”

Dead silence met his statement. Blood drained from her dad’s face, and he jumped to his feet. “Why?” He spit the word out. “Sunday it will be over with.”

Andi pressed her jaw together until it hurt. Tell them, Brad. She didn’t want to be the one.

“Mr. Hollister . . . Mrs. Hollister,” Will said, looking from one to the other, “my cousin may not have killed your daughter.”

Andi leaned forward. “He’s right. Jimmy Shelton received a letter saying he wasn’t her murderer.”

Her mother opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She looked toward her husband, but he was staring at Will.

“This is the way you repay our kindness?” he said. “Spreading lies. Your cousin killed my daughter. He confessed. I knew he’d hurt her one day, just not physically. And now, you.”

Will’s face was ashen. “I—”

“Don’t say a word.” Her dad rubbed his arm. “I’ve seen the way you look at Andi. Same way Jimmy looked at Steph. You hurt Andi and I’ll—” He pressed his hand against his chest, then felt in his pocket. “Where’s my nitro—”

Andi screamed as he fell.



“Call 911!” Will jumped to catch Tom Hollister, and with Brad’s help, eased him onto the dining room floor.

“Tom!” Barbara knelt beside him. She looked up at Will. “Help him.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The desperation in her voice spurred Will to work faster. He ripped Tom’s shirt open. “Do you feel a pulse?”

“Can’t find one,” Brad said. “Come on, Dad. You can make it.”

“I don’t think he’s breathing, either.” Will started compressions. “Do you have a defibrillator?”

Brad shook his head. “Never had a need for one before now. We can change places if the ambulance doesn’t get here soon.”

“I’m good.”

“The ambulance is on the way,” Andi said.

They weren’t far from a cardiac hospital. Soon a siren reached Will’s ears, giving him the energy to keep going. A few minutes later, he gladly released Tom Hollister to the paramedics’ care.

He found Andi in the living room, placing a washcloth on her mother’s forehead.

“Mom almost fainted,” she said. “And I convinced her to lie on the couch.”

He couldn’t bring himself to look either of them in the eye. He was afraid he’d see blame there.

Barbara Hollister removed the washcloth. “How’s Tom?”

“The paramedics are taking care of him.” Will turned as Brad came into the room.

“Dad’s responding,” he said. “And they’re getting him ready to transport.”

Barbara struggled to sit up. “I’m going with him.”

Andi went to get her mother’s purse, and Will turned to Brad. “I’m not going to the hospital.”

“Nonsense,” Barbara said. “You helped save his life.”

“This might not have happened if I hadn’t been here.” “I’ve seen the way you look at Andi.” Tom Hollister’s words rang in his ears, and he imagined they were probably hearing them again too. “If he knows I’m there, it’ll upset him.”