Ian glanced at Caitlyn, all blushing washed from her cheeks, then back at Tom. “Where is Kelli’s ex-husband?”
“Allison saw her father at Shop and Go right outside of town earlier, but he didn’t see her. I had a deputy pick him up as he was driving toward Houston. He’s bringing him in. I thought you should be in on the interview if you’re up for it, Ian.”
“Yes. I wonder if he was driving through or if he’s been here for a while.”
“That’s the first question we’ll ask him.” The sheriff switched his attention to Caitlyn. “I’d like you there observing the interview, but not in the same room as Williams. I’ll have it set up that you can have Ian ask any questions you think might help. You knew best about the volatile relationship Kelli and her husband had. Besides, Ian shouldn’t be driving.”
She nodded. “Where’s Allison?”
“At home. I sent a deputy to her house to make sure she’s all right.”
“Good. Allison was caught in the middle of their divorce. She has a restraining order against him, but you and I know that often doesn’t stop a person. Kelli had one too.”
“Without evidence, we won’t be able to hold him long for questioning.” Tom strolled to the door and opened it. He laughed. “Somehow I figured you two ladies were out here. How much did you hear?”
“Tom Mason.” Sally tsked. “I used to babysit you. I know secrets you wouldn’t want spread around town.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Caitlyn, you must have your hands full. Good thing you’re an even-tempered therapist. See you two at the station.” Tom touched the brim of his cowboy hat, gave them a nod and passed by the two grandmothers in the hallway.
Emma hiked her chin up. “We were not eavesdropping. We were waiting for the door to open. We needed to know if we should hold dinner for y’all.”
Ian chuckled. “How did you know we were leaving?”
Emma narrowed her eyes. “I can’t help it if your voices carry.”
“We may be late. We can reheat any leftovers.” He gestured for Caitlyn to go ahead of him.
Sean leaned against the wall in the foyer. “I’ll watch over them.”
“Thanks. Maybe this will be over soon.” Ian prayed it was but, as Tom had said, even if they suspected Clark was the killer, they couldn’t hold him indefinitely without evidence.
Caitlyn drove Ian’s SUV toward the sheriff’s office as the sun was setting. Ian leaned back against the headrest. A dull headache persisted but it wasn’t nearly as painful as yesterday. He wished he was at the top of his game. He should have been more present with Caitlyn instead of napping, but he hadn’t got a good night’s rest in the regional medical center, especially with someone coming in to check on him every hour.
He closed his eyes as passing headlights lit up the interior of his vehicle. The brightness still hurt his eyes. A picture of Caitlyn trying to fight off Byron filled his mind, and he balled his hands. Having dealt with rape victims in his job, he’d seen firsthand the trauma women went through. And to think Caitlyn had basically handled it by herself fueled his anger at Byron even more. Too bad Byron had never faced any consequences for what he had done.
He couldn’t believe he’d shared his story about Kylie. He’d never told anyone, but then he shouldn’t be surprised that, if he was going to confide in anyone, he’d pick Caitlyn. She made it easy to talk. Her job was perfect for her.
When Caitlyn made a turn and slowed down, Ian opened his eyes to find they were in the parking lot next to the sheriff’s station.
She withdrew the key from the ignition. “I’d like to go see Allison after you interview her father. She may need someone to talk to. Kelli told me how hard Allison took the truth about her dad and the divorce.”
“Allison didn’t know about Kelli being abused?”
“Kelli tried to shield her and thought she had, but I wouldn’t be surprised that Allison knew something was seriously wrong.”
“I’ve talked with Allison about her dad, but seeing her after I interview him, I might have additional questions for her.” Ian opened his door, climbed from the SUV and met Caitlyn on the sidewalk to the station. He took her hand. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
Tom greeted them. “I thought the deputy would have Williams here by now, but there was an accident on the highway. He should be here anytime now. Y’all can stay in my office, and I’ll come get you when he’s brought in.”
As the sheriff escorted them toward his office, the back door to the station opened and a deputy brought in a handcuffed Williams. The man’s angry stare zoomed in on Caitlyn.
The suspect cursed and plunged forward. “She ruined my marriage, and now she’s accusing me of killing my wife!”
The deputy restrained Williams and pinned him against the wall with the help of another officer. The suspect wore a T-shirt that suggested he must work out a lot. He reminded Ian of a linebacker on his high school team, nicknamed The Mower.
“Well, she’s a liar! I’ll get the truth out of her,” Williams shouted, wrenching his body from side to side, breaking free and launching himself at her.
Ian stepped closer, putting his body in front of Caitlyn.
As the two officers subdued him again, the sheriff said, “Get him in the interview room and secure him. Stay with him.”
Once Williams had disappeared down the hallway, Ian moved to the side and grasped her arms. “Okay?”
“I knew he blamed me for the divorce but, after six months, I’d have hoped he’d calmed down some.”
“Has Williams been formally charged?” Ian asked Tom.
“Yes. He wouldn’t pull over when the deputy flashed his lights. Instead, he sped away, going thirty to forty miles over the speed limit while intoxicated. We can hold him for sure until court Monday on that.”
“Good.” Caitlyn’s comment came out on a long breath. “Kelli described some of his attacks when he was drinking. He was a mean drunk. I can’t believe she stayed with him as long as she did.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t kill her sooner.” Ian slipped his arm around Caitlyn. She still trembled from the encounter with Williams.
“Let’s get this over with. I’ll feel better when he’s locked in a cell and hopefully calmed down.” Tom opened the first door in the corridor. “This is where you will be, Caitlyn. I’m posting a deputy outside the room as a precaution.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’ll send Deputy Altom in to hook you up so you can speak to Ian if there’s something he needs to ask.”
As the door closed on the room where Caitlyn was with the officer, Ian stuck his earpiece in and tested it to make sure it worked. Then he and the sheriff entered the interview room, two other deputies standing with a seated Williams between them. The suspect was handcuffed to the sturdy table. His glare bored into the sheriff and Ian as they sat down across from him. One deputy left, while the other positioned himself behind Williams. The reek of alcohol wafted toward Ian.
“How many drinks have you had?” the sheriff asked.
“One. I was heading home. A guy can drink one. I’m not drunk.”
“But you refused to do the Breathalyzer.”
“That’s my right. I was doing nuthin’ wrong when your deputy tried to stop me. I’m gonna file a harassment suit against you.” Williams scanned the small interview room, pressing his lips tightly together.
“We stopped you because you are a person of interest in a murder case.”
Williams’s eyes bugged out. “You think I killed my wife!”
“Ex-wife.” When Ian interjected that, the wrath of Williams turned on him.
This time his glare cut through Ian. “Who are you?”
“I’m Texas Ranger Pierce, heading up an investigation of the three murders that have occurred recently in Longhorn. Your ex-wife was the first victim. We’ve been looking for you. I understand you don’t live here anymore. Why are you back?”
“It’s a free country. I can go where I want.”
“How long have you been here?”
Williams shrugged.
“The restraining order restricts how close you can be to your ex-wife and daughter. You seem like a guy that picks and chooses what laws you obey. Did you see Kelli while you were here?”
“I came for her funeral tomorrow. She was my wife for twenty-five years.”
“Then why were you heading out of town?”
“It’s a free country. I can drive where I want.” His hands clutched together, Williams poured out hostility.
Ian leaned back in his chair as though he had not a care in the world. “Where are you staying in town?”
“Forgot its name.” Sweat beaded Williams’s forehead.
“How long have you been in town?”
“You already asked me that.” Williams’s words slurred together.
“And you didn’t answer me. It’s a simple question.”
“I just arrived today. Let’s see.” Williams held up one hand with one finger bent at the knuckle. “That means not even one day.”
“Ask him if he’s seen Sam Baker.” Caitlyn’s voice came through the earpiece. “They did everything together, according to Kelli.”
“Have you seen Sam?”
Williams’s eyebrows scrunched together, almost forming a straight line. His look highlighted his bloodshot eyes. “Who?”
“Your best friend, Sam Baker.”
“Oh, you mean Sammy. Of course I’ve seen him. He’ll vouch for me. You ain’t pinning Kelli’s murder on me.”
“Then tell me where you were this week from Monday evening to eleven o’clock Wednesday morning.” Although the ME had narrowed Kelli’s death to early Tuesday morning, Ian wanted to know Williams’s whereabouts for the times of both Jane’s and Williams’s ex-wife’s murder.
Williams smirked. “Sleeping in a bed and drinking in a bar. Neither against the law.”
“Sheriff, do you have any questions for him?” Ian decided Williams needed to stay in jail for a while before being questioned again.
“Nope.”
“Good.” Williams stood up, hunched over because of his hands being cuffed to the table. “I need a ride to Sammy’s house.”
Ian slowly rose. “Not going to happen. You’re staying in a cell until you’re brought before a judge to set your bail.”
“You can’t charge me! You have no evidence I was drinking.” Williams jerked on the chains. “I want outta here!” Sweat rolled down his face. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he looked from side to side. “I need fresh air. Now!”
“Kelli told me Clark could freak out when he thought he was trapped.”
Caitlyn’s words made sense to Ian. He motioned to Tom and stepped away to whisper to the sheriff, “He’ll need two or three guards to take him back to his cell. He doesn’t like to feel trapped so he may try to escape.”
Tom gave Ian one nod and opened the door, signaling the two deputies in the corridor to enter the room.
As before, Williams struggled to get away from his three-officer escort, stopping halfway to the hallway to glare at the two-way mirror. “I hope the killer stops you.”
Ian stepped into his line of sight, feet apart and arms crossed over his chest. Once the suspect disappeared around the corner with Tom following, Ian hurried to the room Caitlyn was in. The door flung open before he had a chance to open it.
She went into his arms, her body shaking. “His behavior is exactly how Kelli described it when he would drink. Then he would sober up for a while and act like the perfect husband.”
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
“Yes, exactly. When he was in his ‘Dr. Jekyll’ mode, she would start to think he was going to change. But he never did. I’d like to go to Allison’s now and see how she is.”
“I hope she can tell us about Sammy Baker.”
“All I really know is he’s the husband of Kelli’s boss Nell Baker and Kelli’s relationship with her employer was precarious at times.”
“All the more reason to pay the Bakers a visit tomorrow.” Ian walked toward the large room at the sheriff’s office. “I’ll call Tom later and see when he wants to interview Williams again. He never asked for a lawyer so that’s promising. After being in jail overnight, he might want to talk, especially when he’s sober.”
“I hope he will. I’m going stir-crazy myself. I’m used to being out and about during the day. I’m not used to having a bodyguard.”
“And I’m usually not a bodyguard. I’m often the one out running down leads in a case.” He opened the SUV’s passenger door, the light illuminating her beautiful face. “I have to admit I’m kinda liking this.”
She slid onto the front seat, slanting him a smile that made his heartbeat race. For a short time, he forgot about the dull throb in his head and savored this moment with Caitlyn. He wanted more—especially when they wouldn’t have to look over their shoulders all the time.
* * *
Caitlyn sat next to Allison in her living room. “Tell me about Sammy Baker and your dad.”
“They have been buddies for as long as I can remember, and that’s been the problem.”
“Why do you say that, Allison?” Ian asked, seated in a chair across from them.
“Every time he was with Sammy, he came home drunk, yelling and hitting Mom. She tried to keep it from me, but I knew.”
“Does your father know Jane Shephard or Missy Quinn?” Ian leaned forward, his hands clasped, elbows on his thighs.
“Dad used to work at the Shephard ranch, so I guess he did. Missy Quinn? I don’t know her. All I know is she’s missing.”
Caitlyn felt the tension radiating off Allison next to her. Something wasn’t right. “Since Missy only moved here five months ago and Clark moved away over six months ago, I’d say probably not, unless he came back to Longhorn before now. Have you seen your dad here in town before today?”
Allison lowered her chin and stared at a spot on her lap.
“Allison?” Caitlyn glanced at Ian, who gave her a nod. “What’s wrong?”
“I should have told you. I’m pretty sure my dad was at my mom’s house on Tuesday. I saw the Chevy he was driving today parked near my mom’s place on Tuesday. I even called her, thinking maybe she didn’t go to see her friend. No one answered, and then when I went to look at the vehicle out front, it was gone. I didn’t know that was Dad’s car until today, but I should have said something.”
“So he was in town at least on Tuesday?”
Allison nodded. “Did he kill her?” Her voice quavered, tears shining in her eyes.
Ian stood. “We don’t know, but I won’t stop looking for your mother’s killer.”
His determination reassured Caitlyn she wasn’t alone. He was here to help her and other women in Longhorn. The thought comforted her.
Caitlyn turned to Allison. “He’ll be in jail for a couple of days, and if he can’t make bail, he’ll be there longer. In the meantime, the case is the top priority for the police and the sheriff.”
“And the Texas Rangers too.” Ian surveyed the house. “Is there anyone you and your two children can stay with until the case is resolved?”
“My in-laws. They live in Paris and would love to see the grandkids. I wish my husband hadn’t been deployed overseas. He never liked my father and wouldn’t even allow him in our house. I’ll take my girls out of school until I know they’re safe.” Allison pushed to her feet and hugged Caitlyn when she rose. “Thank you for what you did for Mom. The funeral is tomorrow, and I’m glad Dad won’t be able to attend. I was worried he would want to. I don’t need any more upset.”
As they walked to the front door, Caitlyn said, “We’ll be there, and if you need anything or to just talk, call me.” She took a business card out of her purse and wrote her personal number on the back.
“Thank you.” Allison switched her attention to Ian. “If I can think of anything that will help you with the case, I’ll call you. I still have your card.”
“I appreciate that.”
Caitlyn made her way to Ian’s SUV in silence. There was something she was missing. Clark could have killed his wife, but why Jane and Missy? And where was Greg Quinn? Dead too?
She massaged the tips of her fingers into her temple. “How do you put all the clues together to come up with the perpetrator of a crime?”
“A lot of them aren’t very smart and trip themselves up. But in this case, it isn’t that easy. I keep thinking I’m not looking at this from the right angle.”
“Me too. When we get to Emma’s, I want to go through some files again, then start over tomorrow.”
“About tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s a good thing for you to go to the funeral. The killer has involved you throughout.”
“You’ll be with me. I’ll be fine. I can help you with information about the people attending. And the same about Jane’s funeral on Monday afternoon.”
“Are you doing your show on Monday?”
“Yes. His break-in forced me to cancel my appointments for this week, but my talk show is heard around the country. I’m not letting this man control my life.”
“The governor will be at the funeral on Monday. There will be several Texas Rangers there too.”
“Still no sighting of Missy’s husband?”
“No, not him or his car. No signals from either of the Quinns’ cell phones and no hits on their credit cards.”
Caitlyn parked in Emma’s driveway. “What if the killer ended up murdering both of them?”
“That would be changing his MO, but the husband could have interrupted the guy, and he had to murder Greg Quinn too.” Ian exited the SUV and met up with Caitlyn on the sidewalk leading to his grandmother’s house.
While she unlocked the door, Ian exchanged a few words with the deputy standing on the porch.
“I’m starving. Let’s get our dinner and take it into the den.” Ian followed her into the house and paused at the entrance into the living room. “Have Nana and Sally gone to bed?” he asked Sean, who was watching television.
“About fifteen minutes ago. Did Clark confess to killing his wife?”
Ian shook his head. “We’re going to grab something to eat and then work in the den for a while. Probably not long though. I didn’t realize how late it is.”
Caitlyn crossed the living room. “My stomach knew it was way past dinnertime. Do you want anything to eat, Sean?”
“No, Nana already tried to fatten me up.” He patted his stomach. “And partially succeeded.”
Caitlyn entered the kitchen and headed for the refrigerator, where she found two plates of spaghetti. “Can you stick them in the microwave?? I’ll go get a few files I wanted to review again. We can work in here instead.”
“Sure.”
In the den, Caitlyn picked up four files of women she was currently helping. As she made her way back to the kitchen, she slowed her steps, weariness weaving through her body. The long day—week—was catching up with her. Glasses of iced tea and one plate of dinner were on the table, while the microwave beeped. She needed to eat something, but even that task seemed monumental.
Ian joined her and set the last of the food down. “Why those files?”
“They are most likely the killer’s possible targets from all my patients. In my opinion. I wasn’t even sure if I should do that kind of conjecture. What if I’m wrong?”
“I look at the pieces of evidence I have and make educated guesses from my experiences all the time. I’ve been wrong but also often right.”
“I just don’t want to see anyone else murdered.” With a long sigh, Caitlyn bowed her head and blessed their food. “Using brain power makes me hungrier than when I work out.”
Ian gestured toward the stack of folders. “So why these four patients?”
“Their problems have similarities to the ones Jane, Kelli and Missy had. Both Jane and Kelli lived alone, which makes coming after them easier. The one time he deviated, it’s possible the husband interrupted and had to be killed, which no doubt caused problems.”
“Or it has nothing to do with being single. Until we find Greg Quinn, he’s the prime suspect in the case, although Clark’s a good one too.” He took a bite of the spaghetti.
“From what Kelli told me about Clark and what I’ve seen, I’m not sure he’s capable of planning these murders. He’s impulsive.”
“I have my doubts too, but we still have to investigate him and rule him out. The killer is bold and cunning. He’s getting in and out of places with no detection. I don’t think this is a rash decision on his part. He possibly has been planning it for a while.”
Caitlyn tapped the top file she’d brought into the kitchen. “These four patients and the victims all have similar build, coloring and personalities. They aren’t inherently assertive. Of course, we don’t know if the killer will only target women I work with, but it’s a place to start. Of the four I chose, two are single and two are married. I want to warn them to be careful.”
“Okay. We should have someone watching them, even though the case is already stretching our manpower. But we need to look at all the evidence again and see if we’ve missed anything.”
She stared at her uneaten food. “I agree, but I don’t think I can make sense of anything right now. We can do that first thing tomorrow morning. Once I sat down to eat, I realized I wouldn’t be able to do much more.” She smiled. “That was my mistake. Sitting down.”
Ian chuckled. “I’ve gone fast and furious and then sat down for just a moment and couldn’t get up. Exhaustion can do that to you. And to tell you the truth, I could use the extra rest myself.”
“I don’t know how you get any, when people’s lives are at stake.” Caitlyn finally took her first bite of dinner.
“I’ve discovered I do my best thinking when I’m sleeping. I’ve gone to bed with a problem nagging me and have awakened with a new perspective. Even God took time to rest after creating the world.”
“True.” Caitlyn ate another forkful.
“Tomorrow we’ll also need to look at people who might have a problem with you. Someone could really be after you.”
“I know. Over the years, I’ve worked with patients who have difficult issues. I’ve been able to help many but, like I said, some I haven’t.”
He reached across the table and cupped her hand. His gaze trapped hers. “And I’ve had criminals get away with what they did. Most of my cases are solved, but a few aren’t. One I know who did the crime, but we can’t get enough evidence to take him to court. That’s hard to live with. I still go back to it from time to time. One day I hope to find that evidence.”
“My most difficult one is the young man who committed suicide while under my care. There was so much he wasn’t telling me about a bad situation. In his note he left, he wrote about being abused as a child, and he couldn’t deal with the memories anymore. He never told me that. He’d mentioned being bullied as a child by kids at school but said he was okay now. No matter what I did, I was hitting a wall with him, although I didn’t think he would kill himself. Some patients take a while to feel comfortable to share why they’re really coming to see me.”
“Does his family live in Longhorn?” Ian squeezed her hand gently, then slid his away.
“No. He lived alone. He didn’t talk about his family. They lived in San Antonio.”
“I’d like to look into them. When did this happen?” He picked up his glass and sipped his iced tea.
“Six months ago. His name was Marcus Browning.”
“Any other person who might have a grudge against you?”
“Well, other than Clark, I’d need to think about it.” While finishing her dinner, Caitlyn ran through her current patients first and then ones she’d seen in the past few years. “There was a boyfriend of a young woman who broke it off, and he thought I was the reason. He came to the office last year in the guise of a new patient. He was quite angry at me, but in the end, he calmed down and became my patient. He still is. The young woman moved away. I can’t see him as the killer.”
“What’s his name?”
“Paul Nichols. I can’t tell you anything else about him. He would freak out if he thought the police were investigating him.”
“I can look into him quietly.” Ian stood and took their plates over to the sink.
Caitlyn brought the glasses to the counter, and as he rinsed the dishes, she put them in the dishwasher. As they walked from the kitchen, she said, “I’ll keep thinking about people I’ve interacted with to see if there’s anyone else.”
“I’m going to look into Byron Woods. I have a connection in Washington. If he died while in the service, I’ll find it out. If not, I want to know where he is.”
“That happened seventeen years ago. Why would he come after me now?”
“Because you know what he did. What if he was afraid of you coming forward to accuse him, even though it’s too late to prosecute him? People in the limelight have their life broadcasted all over the place.”
“He isn’t in the limelight.”
“But he could be down the road. We have to consider it.” Ian paused in the hallway. “I won’t say anything unless I find him, if that’ll make you feel better.”
I need to forgive Byron whether he’s alive or dead—somehow. He’s affected my life long enough.
“Keep me informed of anything you find about him.”
At the door of her bedroom, she swung around to say good-night. His proximity stole away the words, while his gaze drew her toward him. She wanted him to kiss her again. Suddenly she needed reassurances from him that he still cared about her, even knowing what happened that summer after graduation.
He started to turn away, stopped and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her up flat against him. “I’m glad we finally talked about seventeen years ago. I’m glad I’m here finally. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long.”
“I’m glad too.” She laced her fingers together behind his neck and tugged him toward her.
His mouth came down on hers as though suppressed emotions were finally released and he was demanding a second chance for them. She met his fervent kiss with her own, pouring out all the feelings she’d kept locked away for years.
When he backed away, she didn’t want to let him go, but they both needed to rest and be ready to go through the case tomorrow—before another woman was murdered.
“Good night, Caitlyn.”
She went on tiptoe, gave him a quick kiss, then hurried into the bedroom she was sharing with Granny, leaning against the closed door with the widest smile on her face.
Good thing Granny was asleep or she would keep her awake, interrogating her about why she looked as if she was floating on a cloud.
A shaft of light streamed through the partially open curtains that her grandmother left that way, so she could see her path to the bed without turning on the overhead light. She felt her way to the window and peeked out before drawing them.
Facing Granny’s house, Caitlyn glimpsed a dark shadow near the patio in the backyard. She closed the drapes, then fumbled her way to the door. Out in the hallway, she crossed to Ian’s room and knocked.
When he answered the door, she said, “There’s someone at Granny’s.”