“Time to interview Finn,” Candace said. “Unlike you and Tom, I don’t have the luxury of trusting Finn’s character and I can’t make decisions about guilt or innocence until I’ve gathered and evaluated all the evidence. Does that make sense?”
I nodded. “I know. But let Tom and me help you with him. He sure trusts Tom and I think he’s starting to trust me.”
“We do need your help,” Liam said. “But if the outcome isn’t what you want, if he did harm Roth, you should be prepared.”
Tom set more toast on the table. The smell of it, combined with the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee, would have been comforting on any other day, but Liam’s words made my stomach tighten. I could hear a hint of desperation in my voice when I said, “You’re the one who should be prepared—prepared with an open mind, Liam. He could never kill anyone.”
Just then, Merlot crept closer to us, his eyes on the dog, but I was sure he’d heard the worry in my voice. My cats were so protective, and I relaxed a tad just thinking about them.
“Please wake the kid up, would you?” Candace said.
Tom said, “Can we let him sleep a little longer? He’s injured and—”
“I need to interview him before his mother arrives. We, of course, called her and expect her in town this morning. Even though the kid’s eighteen, has a North Carolina driver’s license and I don’t need her to be present, she might insist. I sure as heck don’t want to argue with a brand-new widow. Is he in the guest room?” Candace stood, probably ready to wake Finn up. Too bad she forgot she was supposed to be keeping Yoshi on his leash.
He had his chance and took it.
When he ran, it wasn’t toward the back door or down the hall to the guest room. No. He started racing around my living room, Merlot right behind him. I was about to intervene, but then realized those two were actually playing a game. Yoshi had the advantage. The little dog could turn on a dime. Finally he stopped dead, whirled and faced Merlot. He lowered onto his front legs, his butt in the air. From growing up with my grandparents’ various dogs, I knew this was a “play position” and smiled.
Syrah, meanwhile, was staring with complete disdain as this commotion unfolded. He wasn’t about to make nice with a dog. Merlot must have caught a look from his feline friend because he turned and walked away from Yoshi. But there had been no hissing or swiping, just some much-needed fun.
“What’s going on?” a sleepy-eyed Finn said from the foyer.
Yoshi took off and leaped into Finn’s arms.
Candace said, “I take it you’re Finn. I’m Deputy Candace Carson of the Mercy Police.”
He looked at me. “You called the cops on me?”
Ten
Finn sounded and looked defensive when he said, “If you’re here to arrest me as a runaway, you can’t. I’m old enough to leave home.”
“You’re right,” Candace said. “You’re an adult in the eyes of the law. A few things have happened I need to talk to you about, though. I came here as part of an investigation and need to ask you a few questions. As I said, I’m Deputy Candace Carson. I came here with Mr. Brennan from the county district attorney’s office.”
“Hold on. What kind of investigation?” A touch of panic tinged Finn’s voice.
Yoshi squirmed to get closer to Finn and licked his cheek.
“Something bad has happened,” Tom said as he and Liam joined us in the living room.
“Tom. You’re here.” Finn smiled and his pale cheeks took on some much-needed color. Then he focused on Liam and the flush drained away. “Is this guy a lawyer? Is he planning on turning me over to my mother? Because he can’t. I’m legal.”
Candace nodded. “We all understand you were free to leave a bad home situation. But right now, we need to sit down and talk. Will you do that?”
Finn shrank back, clutching his dog to his chest.
Liam walked over to Finn and offered his hand. “I’m Liam Brennan, and yes, I am a lawyer. We just want to talk to you.”
Finn simply stared at Liam’s hand.
Thank goodness Tom took over then. He walked to Finn’s side and put an arm around his shoulder. “Liam’s a good guy. A friend. So is Deputy Carson. These people want to help and you must know Jillian and I do, too.”
“I—I do know. But this is kinda freakin’ me out,” Finn said.
Merlot sat in the middle of the living room, a silent observer of this tense human interaction. Syrah went to his scratching post near the entertainment center to sharpen his nails and, I decided, to convey his lack of interest in this gathering. That didn’t mean he was disinterested, just that he wanted us—or should I say Yoshi—to think so.
The little dog was trembling. Too many strangers for him, it would seem.
“How’s the head?” Tom brushed aside a lock of Finn’s sandy hair to examine the cut and bruise on his forehead.
“Ouch,” Candace said. “How did that happen?”
“I told you last night—or was it this morning?—he doesn’t remember,” Tom said through gritted teeth.
“Sorry,” Candace said. “You’re right. Guess I was hoping Finn recalled more details now that he’s had some rest.”
“I don’t get it. Details about me coming here?” Finn looked at Tom. “Tell me what’s going on. I left home, sure. And I didn’t tell my mother. It’s not a crime.”
He thought this was about him leaving home. I wanted the poor kid sitting down when he heard the news this wasn’t about running away. I said, “You’re right, Finn. It’s not a crime. Before we talk about why these people are here, you need to sit down, maybe eat something.” I glanced around the room. “Is that okay with the rest of you?”
Liam nodded and Candace said, “Sure.”
Tom led Finn, who still clutched his dog tightly, to the sofa.
“Tom makes some mean peanut butter toast,” I said. “What about something to drink? There’s fresh coffee, but—”
“No Dr Pepper, I guess?” Finn said as he and the dog settled back on the couch.
“Sorry,” I said, watching from the corner of my eye as Liam and Candace took the chairs opposite the sofa. “After we’re done talking, I intend to fix that problem.”
Finn gave a small smile. “Milk is cool.”
Liam said, “Your dog’s name is unusual, but it sounds familiar.”
Finn told him about the little dragon in the Mario Brothers game and Liam smiled.
“I used to love playing Mario Brothers,” Liam said.
While they talked about video games, I could tell by Candace’s tapping foot and her grip on the chair’s arms that she was getting impatient. But to her credit, she allowed the guys to bond a little.
After Finn had his toast and milk and we were all on our third round of coffee, Tom took a deep breath and said, “These folks coming here? It’s about Nolan, not about you leaving home.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s with him?” He bit into the toast.
“He died yesterday,” Tom said quietly.
Finn’s eyes widened in surprise and he quickly swallowed his food. “But he’s, like, younger than you, Tom. Did he get sick or something?”
“Someone killed him,” Tom said.
“Wow.” Finn blinked several times and repeated, “Wow.”
Yoshi, who’d been curled up next to Finn, sat up and nuzzled Finn’s neck and began licking his face again.
