See No Evil

“I’m just waiting for the media to get antsy enough that they start speculating,” Will said. “Causey will give a brief statement-something to the effect that Emily Montgomery has been released from the hospital, that she isn’t a suspect in the judge’s murder, but is being deposed because of information she has. While everyone thinks she’s in the courthouse, we’ll smuggle her out through the secure garage and get her up to Montana before the end of the business day. No one will know.”

Dillon said, “Paperwork’s done. Let’s go.”

Maneuvering on the highway past a car packed with young surfers, Julia left another message for Michelle O’Dell. She then called the Palo Alto District Attorney’s Office and explained that she was trying to reach a witness and asked if they could check on her status. She gave them a physical description, her last-known address, and phone number.

Why was Michelle in San Diego? Julia had only wanted to talk to her about what happened two years ago between Jason and Shannon, and her cryptic comments to the press about Jason’s “issues.” Now she wondered if maybe Michelle was on a vendetta, if maybe she felt the system had failed her best friend.

But where would Michelle get other people to go along with her plan of revenge? And why would she go after Montgomery and Bowen? It didn’t make sense. Jason Ridge, yes. Julia could logically make the connection-Jason raped Shannon, wasn’t punished, and Shannon’s best friend Michelle would want to do something about it.

But to carry on a vendetta for two years? She wondered what Dillon would say.

Whoa, Julia. Going from revenge to psychopath was a huge leap. And maybe Michelle had nothing to do with it, and her presence in San Diego the night Garrett Bowen was killed was a coincidence. Still, why would a college student of modest means be at a ritzy art fund-raiser?

The only way Julia would find out was if she talked to Michelle.

As if on cue, her cell phone rang. The number was “unknown.” Julia answered. “Julia Chandler speaking.”

“Um, this is Michelle O’Dell. I think you left me a message.”

Julia found a safe place to pull over so she could focus on the conversation. “Hi Michelle. Thanks for returning my call.”

“What do you want?” the young woman asked.

“I’m looking into a cold case for the District Attorney’s Office. Do you remember Jason Ridge?”

A long pause. “Yes.”

“He died from steroid use. Had a heart attack on the football field. The District Attorney’s Office has been investigating the illegal use of steroids by minors and since you knew Jason, I wanted to talk to you about what you knew of his actions before he died.”

“Nothing. We didn’t talk anymore.”

“You were his ex-girlfriend, correct?”

“So?”

“He also dated a friend of yours. Shannon Chase.”

“What does that have to do with Jason taking steroids?”

“Shannon’s dead. I can’t ask her about what she knew. She committed suicide, right?”

“Why are you asking me questions you already know the answers to? Why are you bringing all this up?” There were either tears or anger in her voice-maybe a little of both.

“I’m sorry to upset you, Michelle. You were close to Shannon.”

“Whatever.”

“It must have been awful to have your best friend commit suicide. It must have hurt.”

“I never thought she’d do it.” Michelle’s voice was distant.

“Her parents divorced over it. When violence hits a family, it takes a toll on everyone.”

Julia pushed. “Have you been in contact with Shannon’s parents since they moved from San Diego?”

“No.” Michelle’s answer seemed to come too fast.

“Are you sure? Shannon’s father moved out of state, but her mother is still in town.”

Julia held her breath, hoping her fishing expedition caught something.

“I wouldn’t know. I’m in college at Stanford.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Someone told me you were in San Diego this weekend.”

“What? Who?”

“It must have been a misunderstanding. You’ve been in Palo Alto all weekend?”

“Yes. And you know, I don’t have to answer your questions. I’m not in trouble, am I? I didn’t sell Jason steroids. I didn’t even know he was taking them. I had nothing to do with all of that. In fact, I hate drugs, and if Jason was experimenting with them, good riddance.”

The phone clicked.

TWENTY-SIX

Julia still felt uncomfortable with the plan to use Emily, but she went along with it. Connor wouldn’t jeopardize her life. Will Hooper was escorting her to the airport along with a female police officer who would be on the plane with her.

But she only had five minutes alone with her niece as they waited outside the judge’s chambers.

“Are you okay?” Julia asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.

“I’m okay, Aunt Jules.”

“Carina is nice. She’s testified for me a couple times. You’ll like her.”

“Stop worrying about me.”

“I can’t help it. You’ve been through so much.”

“I screwed up.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did. I didn’t tell you or anyone about what Victor did to me. If I had just said something, none of this would have happened. I hated him. I wanted him dead. But, you know what, I’m sorry he’s dead. If that makes any sense at all.”

“It makes a lot of sense to me.” She hugged her niece. “When you come home, when all this is over, do you want to come live with me?”

Emily looked surprised. “You want me to live with you? I thought you were too busy.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“Mom said you gave up the custody battle because you were too busy to be bothered with a little kid.”

The pain in Emily’s eyes brought tears to Julia’s. “Damn her!” Julia swallowed. “No. After your dad died, I gave up the custody battle to protect your inheritance. That’s why Crystal and Victor were never able to get their hands on your money. But I realize that was a mistake.”

“Why?”

“Money doesn’t matter. It’s not worth the pain and betrayal that comes with it. But I thought you’d resent me if I fought for you and in the process lost everything your father wanted for your future. Matt wanted to protect you, to make sure you had everything you needed so you could create your own life.” She touched Emily’s cheek. She was struck by how much Emily looked like a Chandler. Emily was Matt’s daughter, through and through.

“I understand, Aunt Jules. Dad wanted me to have any future I wanted. Right now, I don’t know what I want. I mean, I’ll be seventeen next month, I should know. You did. Dad always told me you knew exactly who you were and where you were going.”

Julia’s heart swelled painfully. “Oh God, I miss your dad.”

“Me, too.”

Julia hugged her niece. She would never let her go again, even if it meant fighting Crystal in court.

The door opened and Connor walked in with Will Hooper, Dillon, and a female plainclothes cop Julia vaguely recognized. Will introduced her as Rachel Vasquez. She smiled at Emily, revealing deep dimples in both cheeks. “Ready to go hit on some cute pilots?”