Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,44
marks, leading into the woods, remained.”
“What’s on your mind?” Houser asked.
“I can’t believe there are only three photographs. One of the crashed vehicles and one each of the deceased victims. Shouldn’t there be more?” He studied the pictures again, hoping something would catch his eye. It didn’t.
“I was out of town that entire weekend,” Houser told him. “My family put on some kind of reunion. I didn’t know about the accident until we got back home.”
“And ole Murphy, the chief back then, responded to the scene. But he’s dead now.”
Houser nodded. “Coronary. A bunch of years back.”
Baffled, Tom stood and stretched his stiff muscles. “We’ve got to be missing something. And someone seems awfully worried that we’re going to find out what it is.”
“You’re sure no one tried to contact Pam immediately after the accident?”
“So she says,” Tom answered. “And she had no reason to lie.”
“And last week is the first time since the accident that she’s come back here?”
“Yes. Whoever’s bothering her knew she was here. They knew where she was staying and how to get into her room. They also knew what to do to spook her.”
Releasing a loud breath, Tom watched the deputy earnestly scribble some notes.
Bill Houser always looked so serious. A few years older than Tom, and much more straight-laced, they didn’t travel in the same circles. Instead, Tom knew the man only through hanging around his younger brothers. Even back then, the eldest Houser in a family of eight kids talked about growing up to be a cop. After graduating high school with honors, he attended the local community college and worked part-time at the police department.
As a rookie, Bill Houser quickly earned a solid reputation as a fair, thorough and no-nonsense cop. Just what a small town needed. Last year, the town council, Tom included, unanimously appointed him the department’s number two man.
Recently, Tom had started working with Houser to develop emergency routes and procedures for rescue vehicles. Next month, Bill intended to testify before the zoning board about potential traffic flow problems if it approved Susan’s petition to build more housing developments and a mall.
“When did you say the perpetrator last contacted Pam?” Houser asked.
“Last Tuesday. At her condo in Boston.”
“Has Pam spoken to any members of Collins’ family or Megan’s family since the crash?”
Tom shook his head. “Not Collins. He’s from a few towns over. They didn’t know each other.”
“And his parents probably have their own guilt to deal with, what with Ryan being drunk and all,” Houser added. “I’ll go talk to them, but I really don’t see them holding a grudge against Pam. What about Megan’s folks?”
“Pam checked. They’re living in Florida. Her mom and Pam exchange Christmas cards. That’s about it. I think Megan’s brother may still be around somewhere. He was five years older and away at college back then. Pam didn’t really know him.”
The deputy wrote something else, then tossed down his pen. “That probably eliminates them also. Unless they were having Pam watched they wouldn’t even know she was here.” He fiddled with the end of his mustache. “The only theory I can come up with at this point is that someone feels threatened by Pam returning to Middleton.”
“And they’re using the accident to try to keep her away,” Tom finished.
His face pinched in thought, Houser nodded.
“But it’s so ridiculous! Pam’s never done anything to give anyone a reason to dislike her.” A few seconds later, he noticed the silence. He glanced in the deputy’s direction. The man stared at him intently. He looked like he wanted to say something. Then his expression changed.
“What about the other candidate for the job at the medical center?” Houser suggested. “Maybe he really wanted the position.”
Tom considered it. “It’s a possibility. Remote, but maybe? I’ll get you his name and address.”
“The only other option I can come up with is...”
Tom felt his stomach and mouth clench. It wasn’t necessary for Bill to finish the sentence.
“You know her better than any of us,” Houser reminded him. “I think you’ll agree she can be one formidable lady at times.”
“He’s got a point, Tom.”
Both men jerked around to stare at the doorway. Eddie Cartwright grinned, tipping his baseball cap. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Just stopping by to see if I could give you a hand. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out who you’re referring to.”
Houser nodded. “Susan’s making no secret of the fact that she’s furious at you, Tom, for planning to lease that back parcel of land