The Wrong Bones (Widow's Island #10)(21)

“You really need a vacation if investigating a box of bones is a welcome distraction.”

“I do not deny that.” Tessa headed for Lillian Marshall’s house near the cemetery.

When they arrived, Lillian was on her knees, weeding the front flower bed. The dog rose to greet Tessa and Logan.

Logan bent to give the dog a head rub. Einstein leaned into his legs.

Lillian stood still, her face drawn.

Tessa got right to the point. “We’d like to talk to Duncan again.”

“You know.” Lillian’s face paled.

“Yes.” Tessa introduced Logan.

“That was an accident,” Lillian stammered. “Duncan is—”

“Lillian!” Duncan rounded the corner of the house. “Stop.”

Lillian’s mouth snapped closed.

Her brother came to stand next to her. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to them.”

Lillian put her hand on his arm. “It’s not okay. You made one mistake, and they just won’t let it go.”

“I appreciate that you want to protect me, but a man died,” Duncan said. “I have to live with the repercussions of that moment of stupidity for the rest of my life.”

Nodding, Lillian covered her mouth with one hand, as if that was the only way she could stop herself from defending him.

“Please go inside. I’ll handle this.” Duncan’s voice was gentle.

She turned and headed for the house, the dog at her heels.

Duncan faced Tessa and Logan. “I’m sorry about that. My sister is protective. Now, why are you here?”

Logan jumped in. “Why did you come to Widow’s?”

“I tried to get by on my own. When I first got out of prison, I took a job with a roofing company. The first year was all right. Then the roofing company went bankrupt, and I lost my job. I couldn’t pay my rent. Not many companies will hire felons, so here I am.”

“Have you spent any time on Bainbridge Island?” Tessa asked.

“I’ve never been there,” Duncan said.

“Do you know this girl?” Tessa showed him the picture of Alyssa.

He looked at the photo, then met Tessa’s gaze. “No.”

“She’s dead.” Tessa watched his eyes.

He looked horrified. “Dead?” His gaze dropped to the phone again. Something that seemed to be sadness passed over his face. Lifting his chin, he slowly shook his head. “I would never hurt a kid.”

“You killed a man,” Logan reminded him.

“And she was seventeen,” Tessa added. “That’s practically an adult.”

“A seventeen-year-old is a high school kid.” Duncan enunciated each word. “And I’d never hurt a female of any age.” Duncan closed his eyes for a long second. Anguish aged him ten years. He opened his eyes. “I know I did a terrible thing, and I can never undo it. We were both drunk. He knew I was a fighter, and he had something to prove. He’d been trying to provoke me all night. I’d successfully ignored him, but he wouldn’t stop. Finally, he grabbed my date and started feeling her up. When I made him let her go, he punched me, and I lost it.” He scrubbed both hands down his face, leaving red streaks. He dropped his hands to his sides. “I had a temper back then, and alcohol made it worse.” He met Tessa’s eyes, then Logan’s. “I haven’t had a drop since, and I practically majored in anger management in prison. I’m not that same guy. I’m trying to make a life for myself.”

Tessa studied him for a few seconds. Her lie-o-meter wasn’t alarming, but there were people who could fake the right emotional response. “We’ll probably be back with more questions.”

He nodded. “I’ll be here.”

Back in the SUV, Logan fastened his seat belt. “He seemed sincere, but he also killed a man with his bare hands.”

“Yep.” Tessa’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen. “It’s Detective Kreisler.” She answered the call. “Deputy Black here.”

“I’ll get right to the point. Alyssa’s doctor verified her ID. So I drove out to her parents’ house to give them the news.” She hesitated; a deep breath indicated she was composing herself. “I showed them the pictures of Duncan Marshall and Simon Dooley. Alyssa’s parents didn’t know Duncan, but they recognized Simon right away. He sold them their homeowner’s insurance.”

“He knew Alyssa?” Tessa asked, excitement warming her blood.

“He’d been to the house several times while Alyssa was at home.” Kreisler’s voice went tight. “Alyssa’s mother said she hadn’t liked the way Simon looked at Alyssa. There was nothing specific, just a feeling she had.” The detective paused. “I’m on my way to Widow’s Island. I’d like to be present when he’s questioned.”

“We’d like you to be here as well,” Tessa said. “The ferry is up and running. I’m going to bring Simon to the station for questioning. I don’t want him to decide to run. He can sit and stew until you get here.”

“I’ll be there in a couple of hours,” Kreisler said. “I want this bastard.”

“So do we.” Tessa ended the call and turned toward Logan. “Let’s go get Simon before he gets spooked.”