“She was prepared to risk it. If Ethan didn’t have the tape, he wouldn’t have proof, and she thought the university would back her if it came down to he said, she said. She was waiting it out. Though she did come clean with Morris about her sex addiction and the affair.”
But not about the tape, Jerry thought. Not that he blamed Sheila. The big guy wouldn’t have been able to handle it. “Was she scared of Wolfe? Did he threaten her physically?”
“She didn’t mention anything like that to me. If I’d thought she was in any physical danger, I’d have told her to call the cops. But there was psychological abuse for sure.” Annie’s eyes fixed on Jerry’s face. “Ethan might not have threatened to harm Sheila physically, but make no mistake-his threat to ruin her career and her relationship was terrifying.”
“So she wouldn’t have left town with him.”
“No chance in hell.” Annie reached for her little tube of cherry lip balm and rubbed more on her lips, something she did when she was contemplating. “She hated him. She wanted him out of her life.”
“So in your opinion, she’d have no reason to be in a car, sleeping, heading to his house, three weeks ago?”
“None whatsoever. It’s been hell ever since she ended it with him. She loved Morris-she couldn’t wait to get married. We speculated…”
“What?” Jerry prompted.
“It’s not an official diagnosis, so don’t take my word for it, okay?” Annie shifted her position, stretching her legs out in front of her. Jerry placed her bare foot in his lap and began massaging it, eliciting a sigh of contentment from his wife. “We thought he might have some kind of antisocial personality disorder. On the surface, he fits the criteria. A lack of empathy for others, poor impulse control, a sense of entitlement, the inability to form meaningful relationships.”
Jerry had come across a lot of people like that in his time with Seattle PD. “So he didn’t love her?”
“He might have. Antisocials can feel love. But if they’re rejected, they don’t take it well. Ethan lashed out in a big way. He seemed intent on ruining Sheila’s life.”
Jerry cracked his knuckles, trying to process this information. “Okay,” he said finally. “I’d better go call Torrance. And Morris.” He kissed the top of her foot and got up off the bed.
Annie’s eyes widened. “Mike Torrance? At this time of night?”
“Yep.” Jerry threw his jacket back on and headed toward the door. “Going to see if he can reopen Sheila’s case.”
Annie’s face held both relief and concern. “When are you coming home?”
“Don’t wait up, hon.”
“Hey, you never told me what happened to your face!”
Jerry shut the door behind him and pulled his cell phone out of his coat pocket.
Up until now there hadn’t been anything to convince him that Sheila hadn’t left Morris of her own free will. But that tape, combined with what he’d learned about Sheila’s relationship with Wolfe, certainly indicated that Morris’s instincts were right. Sheila had no business being in Lake Stevens. And even if the tape didn’t show her in the car with Wolfe, that she was in Wolfe’s neighborhood the night she was last seen anywhere was way too much of a coincidence for a woman who hated her ex-lover and was looking forward to her wedding.
He scrolled through his phone for Torrance’s number. Once he was in the car, he made the call. His former partner answered after five rings. “Mike, it’s Jerry. Did I wake you?”
Torrance’s voice was hoarse. “This better be good.”
“I have some new information about the Tao case. I think we have enough to reopen it. Can you meet me at PD?”
“You’re not serious.”
“As a heart attack.”
Jerry could almost hear the wheels in Torrance’s brain turning. Jerry would never have requested a face-to-face if he didn’t have something compelling, and Mike Torrance knew that.
“Give me fifteen minutes.”
Jerry ended the call, then scrolled through his phone again until he found Morris’s number.
CHAPTER 37
S heila watched Ethan pace the room.
He hadn’t said a word since he’d arrived an hour before. Instead, he was muttering to himself, going in and out of his workroom, clearly trying to work something out in his head.
Her instincts told her he was beginning to crack. What had happened-or almost happened-between them a few days ago was proof of that. She had gotten close to him, and she was certain she could do it again.
It was her only hope.
Her feet dangled off the bed, not quite touching the floor. She watched as he came out of the workroom for the tenth time, and her heart lurched when she saw that the small silver gun was tucked into the waistband of his jeans once again. She hadn’t seen the gun in days. He made no move to wave it in her face. Instead, he lay on the sofa and closed his eyes.
“What’s going on with you?” Sheila asked, tentative. “Something feels different.”
“Nothing. Just tired.”
“Is somebody onto you?” She kept her voice light. She knew he’d only talk if she provoked him a little. But not too much. “You seem really tense.”
Ethan didn’t move. “Nobody’s onto me. Nobody’s looking for you.”
“I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about you. Your girlfriend has to suspect something by now.”
He opened one eye. “Don’t you fucking talk to me about Abby.”
Ah, she’d hit a nerve. That was good. But she had to be careful not to push him too quickly. “If I see the changes in you, then so has she. You’re exhausted and stressed. She’s not stupid, Ethan. You can’t keep the hours you keep without her noticing.”
He opened his eyes all the way. “Your point?”
“Whatever your plan is, it’s time.” Sheila paused for effect. “You do have a plan, don’t you?” She allowed the smallest bit of accusation to seep into her voice.
“Things have changed.” His voice was clipped.
His body language was more telling than his words. He had grown stiff, his hands clenched into tight fists; thankfully they didn’t move toward the gun.
She took a deep breath. Her next move was risky. “Ethan, if you wanted to kill me, I’d be dead by now. Just like if you wanted to destroy my career, you’d have released the video. So let’s stop pretending you want to hurt me. We both know you don’t. You brought me here because you were pissed off and trying to teach me a lesson. And God knows you have.” She leaned forward. “We still care about each other. You know we do.”
Ethan shook his head slowly. “You’re trying to mind-fuck me.”
“Have I tried to escape?” She hoped she sounded sincere. “Have I given you a hard time about anything? I know how smart you are. I know I can’t bullshit you.”
“You tried to take the gun from me. When we were, you know…” His voice faded, his eyes darting to her face briefly before flitting away.
“I already told you, I wasn’t trying anything.” Sheila forced just the right note of exasperation into her voice. “I had to move it, it was digging into my leg. Ethan, you can trust me.”
He stared at her, then grinned. The smile did not touch his eyes. “Impressive, Dr. Tao.”
“I mean every word I say.”
“You’re making me angry. I suggest you shut up right now.”
“But, Ethan-”
“Shut up!” he roared, standing up.
Startled, Sheila cringed into the pillows.
He took a few steps toward the bed and pointed a shaking finger at her. “You-all of you-you make me fucking
