The Third Victim Part 51

"Order whatever you want."

"Lo mein it is." He picked up the batch of take-out menus Ginnie had left next to the phone and sorted through them until he found one for the Great Wall of China. He placed an order for lo mein and green tea.

Rainie was still studying him.

"I don't think we should have this conversation," he said presently.

"That means you found something."

"No. It means I have professional standards and this is a clear case of conflict of interest. Shep is your friend. You and he go way back." He regarded her steadily.

"I never slept with Shep," Rainie said matter-of-factly.

"You know most people think that you're the reason his and Sandy's marriage is falling apart."

"We're not involved. Never have been, never will be."

"He spends a lot of time at your place."

"I know."

"Rainie ' "People talk. Don't you get that yet? It's a small town, it rains eighty percent of the year, and the cows outnumber the people two to one. Most of the time there's nothing else to do around here but talk. That's just the way it is."

"Why didn't you tell me about the shotgun, Rainie? The shotgun that killed your mother had your prints on it until it disappeared from the police evidence locker. Then one day it was magically back in custody, but completely wiped clean. Why didn't you tell me it disappeared from evidence?"

Her face went cool, her chin coming up, her gray eyes turning the color of slate. He recognized that expression. Her fighter's stance.

"Do you think I killed my mother?"

"No."

"Do you think I shot her in cold blood? Came home from school one day and blew off her G.o.dd.a.m.n head? I'm just a female version of Charlie Kenyon? No better than Danny O'grady?"

He said gently, "No, Rainie, I don't."

Then what does it matter, Quincy? It was fourteen years ago and I didn't do it, so just let it go. It's one thing to deal with all the stares and rumors from my neighbors, but I don't expect that from you!"

"Give me some credit," he countered sharply.

"I'm not a small-town deputy you can snow under with a few loud words.

I know something happened, Rainie. Something happened, Shep helped you with it, and that's what binds you, isn't it? I still don't know what.

Maybe I don't need to know, but there is something between you and Shep. And it's beyond professional ties and it makes the fact that you were alone in the school with Shep and Danny very shaky. Sanders was right. You should've surrendered jurisdiction over this case. And I suspect you know that as well."

She fell silent, her lips thinning. He'd caught her off guard. He had wondered in the beginning what a woman as smart as Rainie was doing

working such a limited job, and today he'd gotten his answer. Because it kept her in control. She worked with nice people, but none of them was the type to pry. He suspected she dated men of more brawn than brains and kept the relations.h.i.+ps short. No one could question her too much. No one could get too close. She had turned protecting herself into a way of life.

"I couldn't give up jurisdiction," she said abruptly.

"Because you promised Shep you'd be the primary in the case?"

"Yes." She hesitated.

"I owe him that much."

"Just how much do you owe him, Rainie?"

"Shep had faith in me. He's been a good friend and I feel loyalty toward him. But I have professional standards, too, Quincy, and I don't compromise them. We all go through life making our choices and we're all responsible for what we've done. If Danny shot those girls, then by G.o.d, he needs to be held accountable for that."

"You're sure of that?"

"Of course I'm sure! Covering up doesn't do him any favors. Why don't people realize that? We have a basic human need to make rest.i.tution in order to absolve our guilt. Letting kids walk away scot-free or s.h.i.+elding them from the consequences of their actions doesn't help them. A moment's mistake, a moment of bad judgment could fester into a lifetime of hatred and self-loathing and destructiveness. Until it's become a dark spot you can't forget and can't let go and it builds and builds ' She broke off. She was breathing hard. Her gaze had become locked on the blue floral bedspread and her hands were fisted at her sides.

"The nightmares are worse, aren't they?" Quincy asked quietly.

"Yes."

"You're not eating."

"I can't."

"You're too smart to be doing this to yourself."

"I can't seem to stop."

"Why did you come here tonight, Rainie?"

She looked at him with frustrated, troubled eyes.

"I think I need to talk."

"Then talk. But say something new, Rainie, because I no longer have the patience for lies."

The Chinese food arrived. Quincy split the lo mein, though he suspected she wouldn't eat. She didn't. She set the white container aside but accepted a cup of tea. He took a bite of his own dinner. He wasn't that hungry either, but he'd learned a long time ago that letting himself get run-down during a case, especially a very difficult case, didn't do anyone any favors.

"Sally and Alice's funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon," Rainie said shortly.

"The mayor just called and told me. The bodies were retrieved from the ME's office this evening, and the families don't want to wait. Everyone thinks it would be best to get this behind us."

"That will be a rough afternoon."

"Yeah. We've called for backup from Cabot County. Extra patrols both during the funeral and afterward. Patrol cars stationed outside of the bars, you know."

"Emotions are already running high, add to that a little booze .. ."

Quincy trailed off. They both knew what could happen. Young men and guns, vigilante justice.

"We'll be doubling up the guard around Shep's house," Rainie said quietly.

"Luke asked to lead the effort."