Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(15)

Alex's stormy expression calmed suddenly as he looked up the stairwell. "What do you think finally stumped her?"

Zach shrugged.

"There was something. She had a memory that froze her up."

"Maybe it was watching her dad die."

"Yeah, although she relived her mom's. Not easily, but she still did it. No, there must be something more."

Clearing his throat, Zach stepped back to the table, unable to deny his spark of intrigue. "She said to me last night that she'd seen him again and that he'd been looking for her. Do you think he spotted her that night?"

"Only she can tell us that." Alex's gaze drifted back to the stairwell.

Zach closed his eyes, hating the idea of pushing her more, but knowing his uncle was right. They needed Lucy to finish her story so they could uncover the truth.

With a reluctant sigh, he headed for the stairs, but stopped short when he saw his puffy-eyed girlfriend descending.

"He knew about me." She swallowed. "Wil—Tenner—was calling my name. He was looking for me. Dad fought him and...lost." She breathed out a shaky sigh and wiped away the last of her tears, looking slightly stronger as she came down the last few steps. "I don't know why he wanted me....or I can't remember, but William Tenner has not stopped looking for me. Maybe he thinks I have something or maybe he wants to punish me for something my dad did. I wish I could remember what it was, but my mind has just been living off terror. I can picture the scene so clearly, but some of the words are fuzzy. Right now, the only thing that is crystal clear in my head is Tenner calling my name and telling me to come out from wherever I was hiding."

"Hmmm." Alex's head tipped to the side. "So you still think he's after you? Even after all this time?"

Lucy's gaze was hard. "I saw him less than a year ago and he was pretty pissed and determined then."

"So something's still driving him."

Lucy frowned as she made her way back into the kitchen.

"He must have killed your parents for a reason. He took a huge risk doing it. Maybe he wanted something from your dad. They worked together, right? Maybe your dad did something to him at work and it was revenge."

Lucy swallowed, looking ready to throw up. "My dad was a good man, he would never hurt anybody."

Patting her arm with a soft smile, Alex shook his head. "I didn't mean it that way. Maybe you're like unfinished business for Tenner."

"But why? If his beef was with my dad then he's finished! He killed him! Shot him dead! Why come after me too?"

"Hatred is an ugly demon." Alex shrugged. "It can drive people to do insane things."

Lucy cringed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Look it's only a theory, I'm just trying to understand the guy."

"Either way, it doesn't change the fact that he killed her parents and we need to prove that." Zach pointed to the open file on the table. "What do we need to make that happen?"

"Irrefutable evidence." Alex sighed.

"Does my testimony count?" Lucy's eyebrows lifted.

"Maybe. I mean, we'd have to prove you are actually Lucy Tate and somehow prove that you were there that night...and then also prove that you weren't guilty of the crime." Alex cringed.

Slumping down next to Zach, she rested her head in her hands. "I can't believe they think I did it."

"Technically your testimony should align with the evidence found at the crime scene, right? So if we can see the evidence, maybe your testimony could hold up in court."

She swallowed, her skin turning a sickly, pale color. "Court?"

Alex nodded, not looking up from the file. "As long as it hasn't been doctored." He flipped over the picture and smushed his thumb into William Tenner's face. "If this guy was working the case, we can't rely on anything. We really need to look over those reports. We need to compare your memories with his notes so we can figure out just how doctored the evidence is."

"How do we get access to those?" Lucy asked.

"Well, the crime's only five years old, so there'll definitely be records of it."

"Computer records?" Zach sat forward.

"Yeah." Alex nodded.

Grinning at Lucy, he reached for his phone on the edge of the table. "I know just the guy who can help us."





Chapter 9





LUCY





Elliot showed up within fifteen minutes, which I thought was a little miraculous since Zach's call actually woke him! He fumbled in the door, his rumpled clothes and tussled hair making me snigger. He flashed me a half smile that was forced and sat down, placing his laptop gently on the table.

"Who's coffee is this?" He reached for the cup.

"Mine." Zach looked bemused as he stood beside me.

Elliot grabbed the cup and skulled it quickly.

"He's not a morning person," Zach whispered.

"Then why is he here so quickly?"

"Because I want to save your stupid butt." Elliot growled. "Now stop talking behind my back and tell me what you want me to do."

Alex chuckled, slapping Elliot on the back and taking a seat beside him. "Nice to see you again, Mr. Strickland."