Twenty minutes after Ted Cartwright had been led out of Jeff MacKingsley’s office, Jeff invited Dru Perry in to speak with him. “I promised you that you would have a story,” he said, “and this is only the beginning of it. We have just arrested Ted Cartwright for the burglary of Zach Willet’s apartment.”
Experienced reporter though she was, Dru Perry felt her jaw drop.
“We anticipate filing far more serious charges against him in the next several days,” Jeff continued. “These charges will relate to the deaths of Will Barton and Zach Willet. There may be other charges, depending upon the outcome of our investigation.”
“Will Barton!” Dru exclaimed. “Ted Cartwright killed Liza Barton’s father?”
“We have proof that he did, and the reason that he went to that house on Old Mill Lane that night was to kill his estranged wife Audrey Barton. Liza, that poor little ten-year-old, was only trying to protect her mother from Ted. For twenty-four years, Liza Barton, who is now known as Celia Nolan, has been tortured, not only by the loss of her mother, but by the nearly universal belief that she deliberately shot her mother and Ted because she resented their relationship.”
Jeff wearily rubbed his eyes. “There will be a lot more details coming in the next couple of days, Dru, but you can rely on what I’ve just told you.”
“I’ve been around for a long time, Jeff,” Dru said, “but this is almost unimaginable. I’m so glad that that poor girl has a loving husband and a great kid. I guess that’s what has helped her survive.”
“Yes,” Jeff replied carefully, “she has a really terrific kid, and he’ll help her get through all this.”
“You’re telling me something,” Dru said. “You didn’t mention her devoted husband.”
“No, I didn’t,” Jeff said quietly. “I can’t comment further right now, but that might change very soon.”