Near You (Montana Series #2) - Mary Burton Page 0,57
an arsonist, you make damn sure you have an alibi when there’s a fire within a two-hundred-mile radius. And for the record, I have alibis for both dates. You can tell the cops. They’re welcome to check.” His eyes narrowed again. “I know the Montana victims weren’t Sarah Cameron. Her death was widely reported in the Knoxville media in June.”
“You knew about Sarah.”
A slight roll of his shoulders hinted at his discomfort. “I don’t know anything about her death, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
She had taken a risk coming here, but it had paid off. At least two victims were Fireflies. The warden’s list of Fireflies would now be a critical predictor of future victims.
“I didn’t kill those women, Ann,” he said clearly. “And I can prove it.”
“Who else would want Fireflies dead?”
“I don’t know.”
For the first time, she sensed he was off balance slightly. “Maybe you’re cleaning up loose ends.”
He stepped toward her, using the close proximity of his body to threaten. “Be careful. You’re accusing me of murder.”
“If you have alibis, then you have nothing to worry about.”
A bitter smile twisted his lips. “I’ve been through the criminal justice system, and I know truth doesn’t always matter.”
“Again, who would kill these women?” she asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Then we’re done here.” She turned to leave.
“How’s Nate?” Elijah asked in a clear, direct tone. “Is he back from his camping trip yet?”
She froze and scrambled to maintain her calm. She faced him, deciding not to question his sources. He had a talent for knowing things. “He’s fine.”
“He’s not the real outdoor type, is he?”
“He loves spending time with his cousin and uncle.”
“And Joan is along for the ride.” Even, white teeth flashed. “Joan fly-fishing has to be a sight to behold.”
She started walking toward her car.
“I’m glad Nate’s been able to get away,” he added as he followed her. “This town reared its ugly judgmental side after Clarke’s death. Odd that people blame the victims. I suppose it’s easier to find fault with them than to believe something bad like that could happen to us.”
People had shied away from Nate and her because they were afraid. How many of them had looked at their own spouses and wondered whether they knew the real truth? But to utter any words of agreement created a bridge of understanding. And if anything she wanted to sever all connections between them.
“You’ve never apologized to me, you know,” he said. “Of course, you didn’t know the real truth behind the College Fire, but I lost ten years in prison in part because of the testimony you gave in court.”
She reached the driver’s-side door, knowing there was nothing she could say to counter that.
He approached the car, staring at her over the roof. “Do you know how much the world changes in ten years, Ann? You were pregnant with Nate when I went away. And now look at him.”
She had thought she could control this but now realized her presence had stoked his deep-seated anger. “He’s trying to get on with his life. He’s happy.”
“I didn’t have a father when I was growing up, and it was hard. Is he struggling without his father?”
“We’re managing.”
“Oh, I know you’re doing fine without Clarke, but a boy only has one father.”
His tone poked at the secret tightly wound in her heart. She reached for the door handle.
In a voice only she could hear, Elijah said, “I know the truth.”
She looked into his stark features. “You don’t know anything.”
“I do.” Slowly, he came around the car until they stood less than a foot apart. “And soon I’m going to prove that Nate is my son.”
She met his gaze. “He is my son. Not yours. Stay away from him.”
Elijah’s gray eyes lit with a white-hot flame. “I’m going to claim what is mine.”
“No.”
“Yes. In fact, I will use every damn cent the state paid me for its mistake to get partial custody of my son.”
“He is not your son!” She spoke louder than she had expected and quickly lowered her voice. “His father was Clarke Mead.”
“Look at the boy. Can anyone with a passing knowledge of genetics believe Clarke was his father?”
“Nate believes it. That’s all that matters.”
“He deserves the truth,” Elijah said.
“Is that what you told your Fireflies? Did you tell them about Nate? Because one of them told Paul Thompson.”
Elijah’s fingers curled into fists. “Did he threaten you?”
“Why do you think I’m here? Of course he did. He thinks he has leverage to get an interview out of me.”