“I guess he lost it, after his stepdaughter’s death, and then lost it again when his stepson was convicted,” she explained quietly, as she walked up the front steps.
“And you can’t really blame him for that.”
“No, and the mother was working as a cleaning lady for one of the hotels, and her health has become a big issue recently.”
“Damn good thing there’s free health care here.”
“It may be free,” she said, with a wave of her hand, “but there are wait times involved, and some stuff is still out of touch with what you can get, if you only had the money.”
“I know,” he muttered. “But, believe me, one of the main focuses when I managed to get out of my situation was that having money meant that I wouldn’t be left behind anymore. I would have the power to do what I wanted because money really does give you a lot of freedom, a lot more choices.”
“It may give you freedom”—she knocked on the front door—“but it doesn’t keep you safe. And particularly not when a shitty life comes knocking,” she murmured. “Sometimes there’s just nothing you can do but try to handle the shit as it flies around you.”
Chapter 7
When nobody answeredthe door, Kate knocked again. Finally a cranky voice inside called out, “I’m coming. I’m coming.”
The door was flung open, and a middle-aged—maybe early fifties—woman stood there, glaring.
Kate pulled out her badge and held it up. “We’re looking for your son. May we speak with him, please?”
“He’s not here,” she snapped.
“We have intel that says otherwise. We also have intel that says that he lives here full-time.” She paused. “May we come in and speak with you?”
“No, you sure as hell can’t,” she snapped. “I won’t listen to you guys anymore.”
“And why is that?” Kate asked, knowing that the situation would end up with this couple down at the station to be interviewed.
“Because of what you did last time,” she snapped.
“I had nothing to do with that,” Kate replied. “And your son confessed.”
“He didn’t do it.”
“Potentially,” she agreed. “Can you please confirm whether your son lives here or not?” Kate asked, hardening her voice. “And, if you don’t want to talk here, that’s fine.” She nodded. “I can issue an order to have you come down to the station and talk with me there.”
“Why are you badgering us?” the woman asked, some of her bravado starting to break down.
In the background Kate heard a man calling out.
“Who is it? Who is it?”
“Barney, it’s nothing,” the mother said, then immediately stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind her. “We don’t need him to get involved.”
“I need to ask some questions,” Kate stated firmly.
The woman looked over at Simon, then back at Kate. “What do you want to know?”
“I need to know where Rick was these last five days.”
The woman shook her head. “Why?” she cried out, so much pain in her voice. “Hasn’t he been through enough?”
“Yes, I believe he has. This isn’t the same house you lived in where your daughter was killed. Is that correct?”
Tearing up, the woman shook her head. “No, and that house is being destroyed, I understand.”
Kate nodded. “Yes, I’ll take a walk through the place myself.”