The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon

This was certainly a perceptive dog. Almost as perceptive as a cat.

“We know you were injured yesterday,” Candace said. “We understand you can’t remember part of the day. Do you recollect seeing Nolan at all?”

“Easy question. Since Nolan’s in North Carolina and—”

“He came here,” Tom said. “Probably looking for you.”

“Nolan died in this town?” If Finn had been surprised before, he now seemed stunned.

Candace leaned toward Finn, her hands between her knees. She spoke reassuringly when she said, “Finn, do you remember being in Tom’s car yesterday?”

Finn looked up at me. “Tom’s car? No way. I was in Mrs. Hart’s van. She can tell you. She and Tom picked me up. I saw a white car in Tom’s driveway when we got to his house. Is that the car you’re talking about?”

Tom went into protective mode again, saying, “Like I tried to tell you back at the station, he’s never even seen my car before.”

Candace ignored Tom, her focus remaining on Finn. “Sounds like you remember part of yesterday, which is good. But there’s a big problem and it’s bothering me. I was told there was a gun in your backpack.”

“Oh yeah. That was, like, so weird. I have no clue where the gun came from.” Finn went silent then, his expression changing. A realization was taking hold. He slowly put his unfinished toast on the coffee table, wrapped his arms around Yoshi and drew him close. “Nolan was shot, wasn’t he? And you think I did it.”

Candace said, “We aren’t sure what happened. We’re just gathering information.”

Liam added, “The police have a job to do, Finn. They need to find out what happened to Nolan. Anything you can remember might just help us straighten out this mess.”

“I didn’t see Nolan. At least I don’t think I did.” He stopped and I saw uncertainty on his face. He couldn’t remember.

Finn went on, saying, “I came to this place to be with someone who gives a rat’s ass about me. Tom said I could come anytime I wanted.” Finn stared straight at Liam. “You want to know what I remember? I remember how Nolan treated me. And I’m not sorry he’s dead.”

Oh boy. Not the best choice of words when the police had reason to suspect him of a crime. I was sitting on the floor with Merlot, whose keen interest in Yoshi had not waned, and my body tensed after Finn said this. My cat’s claws dug into my knees and then retracted in response to my body language. Merlot looked up at me with concern.

Tom’s uneasiness was evident, as well, and he said, “You didn’t kill him, though. No matter what you can or cannot remember, I know you didn’t.”

Candace said, “Maybe we should let Finn talk.”

Finn raised his chin. “Tom’s right. I may have hated Nolan, but I wouldn’t kill him. I wouldn’t kill anyone.”

I believed him and I hoped Candace felt the sincerity that seemed so evident to me. I said, “The doctor said you will never remember parts of yesterday.” I glanced around at the people in the room. “You can check with the doctor if you want, but those were his words. It doesn’t mean Finn hurt anyone during that period of time. Concussions don’t change who he is.”

“You can take that to the bank, Candace,” Tom said. “This is a good kid who had the courage to leave a bad situation.”

Candace said, “I understand. Doesn’t change the fact we need answers. A man has still been murdered, and I need to find his killer. If Finn can’t remember anything, I need to do more investigating, find out if anyone saw Finn during the hours he seems to have lost. I sure as heck want to find out how he got the head injury.”

Liam stood, and Candace followed his lead. He said, “I think we’re done here. You’ve had a long trip, Finn. So far, we don’t have any evidence indicating you harmed your stepfather, so don’t—”

“Stepfather? I never called him anything that included the word father. He was just Nolan.” Finn paused before saying, “Does my mother know what happened to him?”

Candace nodded. “She’s on her way from North Carolina.”

Finn hung his head. “Great. Just great.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “Maybe you won’t have to see her.”

Liam said, “Tom, we need the gun. Should Candace get a warrant, or will you hand it over?”

Tom’s jaw tightened. “I said I’d cooperate as long as you give this kid a chance. He’s not your bad guy.” Tom’s gaze hadn’t wavered from Finn. He sounded more than a little testy, and I noted that his eyes were still bloodshot. He hadn’t gotten any rest last night aside from the nap he mentioned—or in the nights before when he was trapped in North Carolina, for that matter.

“There’s something else.” Finn looked at me. “Did you tell them about the blood on my shirt?”

I shook my head. “To be honest, I forgot.” Too many things happening too fast had my brain muddled. But the blood on Finn’s shirt could be important.

Tom said, “Maybe you got a nosebleed or something when you hit your head.”

“Maybe,” he said. “I’m not sure where it came from, and I was thinking the police could figure it out. Help me remember, ’cause not knowing is kind of freaking me out.”

Candace cocked her head when she looked at Finn. “Thanks for telling me about the shirt. It could help us understand what happened to both you and to Nolan. Do you get my meaning?”

“I’m not stupid,” Finn said, a hint of defiance returning. “You’re a cop and you want evidence. You don’t know me; you don’t trust me when I tell you I wouldn’t hurt anyone. So take the shirt, okay? I know you’re not going to leave me alone until you find the real killer.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Candace said quietly. “Not for a minute. You willing to give me DNA, too, then? I can’t do anything with the blood unless I can compare it to your DNA.”

“Sure. Whatever,” Finn said. “Make sure and compare it to Nolan’s DNA, too. But you were gonna do that anyway, right?”

Candace nodded. “Yup. You seem to know that’s how it works.”

Liam turned to Tom. “A more complete statement about Nolan Roth’s assault on you before your ex-wife arrives in Mercy might help. She’ll probably have an alternate version of the events, if what you said about her is true. We need every bit of information you can give us.”

Finn said, “What’s he talking about, Tom? Did Nolan mess up your face?” He had no idea Tom had been held by Nolan. Now he was surprised again.

Tom avoided Finn’s gaze, looking uncomfortable. “I’ll explain later.” He turned to Candace. “Let’s get this gun business over with.”

“Sure. I’ll collect the shirt and the DNA and we’re on it. I’ll need my evidence kit from the patrol car.” Candace hurried out through the kitchen.

“What if it is Nolan’s blood on my clothes?” Finn said to Tom. “Does it mean I did something I can’t remember?”

Tom said, “Finn, don’t worry. We both know you didn’t hurt Nolan. Like you said, let’s just help them figure out who did. I’m turning over the gun, you’re giving Deputy Carson the clothes and we’ll see what happens from there.”

“Okay. I’ll get the shirt.” Finn started toward the foyer.

Liam said, “Wait. Deputy Carson will want to handle the shirt while wearing gloves and put it in the evidence bag herself. Blood is—”

“Dirty. Yeah.” Finn came back toward us. “I know about blood. Blood is supposed to be thicker than water. I’ve learned that’s not true, thanks to my mother.”

“Did you leave home because of a recent argument?” Liam said.

“You wouldn’t get it even if I explained,” Finn said.

“Try me,” Liam said.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now,” Finn said.

Tom said, “He’s being cooperative, but he’s been through a lot. Give him time on this one, will you, Liam?”

“Sure,” Liam replied.