What I've Done (Page 42)

Jenny beamed. “I also uncovered something interesting about Justin O’Brien.”

Morgan balanced her notebook on her lap. “What do you have?”

“Justin was arrested for date rape during his junior year of college,” Jenny began. “He brought a girl home from a party and slept with her. In the morning, she accused him of taking advantage of her while she was too drunk to walk straight, let alone give consent. In an interesting defensive move, his attorney claimed that Justin was also drunk and didn’t remember most of the night. He threatened to countersue the girl for sexual assault.”

“Sounds like a nightmare of a case.” Morgan lifted her pen.

Jenny looked up from her computer screen. “In the end, the charges against Justin were dropped for lack of evidence.”

“I’d call it a classic he said, she said, but if neither of them remembered what happened, then I don’t see how either of them could be held responsible.” Lance paced the tiny office. “What else did you find?”

His mother continued. “Isaac has nothing but a misdemeanor drug possession on his record from when he was eighteen. He was found with a small amount of pot. I didn’t find any criminal charges against Chase.”

“What about the Powells? Did you learn anything about Haley or her mother or Eliza’s company, Wild?” Morgan asked.

Jenny consulted her list. “Wild has a few lawsuits from people claiming the cosmetics damaged their skin.”

“With the success and size of the company, I’d expect a certain number of lawsuits,” Morgan said. “There are always people looking for easy money. Do any of the cases look valid?”

“Not really.” Jenny tucked a gray hair behind her ear. “The company’s research and testing seem adequate. No doubt some will settle for low dollar amounts simply because it would be cheaper than going to court. None of the claims are for serious injury. No one went blind or died from using Wild products.”

Morgan looked up from her notepad. “Did you find anything unusual about the victim and/or his family?”

His mom ran a finger down her own paper notes. “Nothing on Noah Carter, but Adam has a record for assault. In his senior year of high school, he and another student turned in identical test papers. The teacher gave them both Fs. Adam claims the other boy cheated off his paper. He went to the boy’s house and waited for him to come home, then attacked him.”

“How badly did he hurt the other kid?” Lance asked.

“The other boy suffered a broken nose and fractured cheekbone. Witnesses stated that Adam ‘lost his mind’ and ‘went berserk.’” Jenny added, “He didn’t go to jail. His parents paid a fine, he got probation, and attended mandatory counseling. He was charged as an adult, so the record wasn’t sealed.”

Morgan looked up from her notes. “Adam has a history of violent reactions and no impulse control.”

“I wonder where he was Friday night,” Lance said.

And how Adam felt about fire . . .

Morgan twirled her pen. “He said he was angry with us for representing the person who killed Noah. Would he really kill his own brother?”

“We both know it’s possible. People can rationalize anything. He wouldn’t be the first man to kill his brother. We’ve both seen family members tear each other apart. Guilt would amplify his grief. What if he blamed Haley for an argument he’d had with Noah?”

“You’re right,” Morgan said. “But we don’t know where he is, and he’s already wanted by the police. Even if he’s found, we won’t have access to him for a long time.”

“I’m still digging. I might have more for you tomorrow.” His mom set her list down on her blotter and frowned at Morgan, then at Lance. “You should both get some rest. You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine,” Morgan assured her. “Thank you for all this information. We really appreciate the help.”

Jenny sat back. “I’m glad you came to me. I thought maybe you lost confidence in me after what happened last fall.”

“No.” Lance jumped in, hating that she’d been thinking that all winter. “Not at all. That was not your fault. We didn’t want to give you any additional stress while you were recovering. You’re teaching, and you have your own business to run.”

His mom smiled. “Honestly, I wish you would have asked me anyway. I would have welcomed the work. I don’t like to be idle. Gives me too much time to think.”

And overthink.

“OK, then,” Lance said. “Consider yourself back to work.”

She smiled. “Wonderful.”

“How’s Kevin?” Morgan asked.

Jenny only saw her boyfriend once a week at their group therapy session. But Jenny and Kevin talked via video call every evening.

“Very well. His son is getting married,” Jenny said, glancing back and forth between Morgan and Lance.

Was that a hint? Whatever it was, Lance was glad his mother’s relationship had survived the winter. She needed someone her own age in her life.

“That’s wonderful.” Morgan stood.

“We have to go. Bye, Mom.” He kissed his mother on the cheek, then straightened and moved out of the way as Morgan rounded the desk to give his mom a quick hug.

They left the house. Lance locked the front door, and they climbed into the Town Car.

Morgan tucked her giant bag next to her feet. “We have two strong possibilities for the arson: Adam, and Kieran, if he discovered that you stole his photographs.”

“Good thing I locked those in the office safe.”

“We don’t have a motive for Adam as a suspect for his brother’s murder, but as you pointed out, families are complex, and we have little information about the brothers’ relationship. We need to learn more.”

“Sharp is tracking down Noah’s ex-girlfriend Callie Fisher today.” Lance opened his phone and typed a text to Sharp. “He’s going to see her this morning. Maybe she can tell us more about his family. I’ll send him a message to ask about the relationship between the brothers.”

“Have we discounted Piper as a suspect?”

“We shouldn’t write her off just yet, but she’s moved down my list. Her motivation doesn’t seem as strong.”

“Unless there’s something we haven’t learned about her yet. Kieran’s motivation for killing Noah is clear. He was jealous.”

“What about Justin and his arrest for date rape?” Lance started the engine.

“I think we’d better talk to him today too.”

“Maybe we should ask Isaac or Chase about it first. If Justin killed Noah, then Isaac and Chase are covering for him by providing him with an alibi. We could explain how that makes them accessories.”

“We will make no appointments this time. I want to question them individually, and I don’t want them to be prepared to see us.”

“Right.” Lance leaned across the console and planted a kiss on Morgan’s mouth.

“Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but what was that for?” She smiled.

“For understanding my mother and trying to minimize her fears.” Lance settled back into his seat.

“I know it didn’t work, and I feel bad that McFarland’s attack will affect her too.”

“Some things are beyond our control.”

“I know, but I love your mom. She’s part of the family.” Morgan fastened her seat belt.

Family.

The more time Lance spent with Morgan and her family, the less he wanted to live alone. Before their relationship, he thought he was content enough. But now he knew what he’d been missing. He wanted to help her get the kids ready for school every morning. He wanted to go to sleep with her every night and wake up with her by his side.

He wanted to be a part of her life rather than an accessory to it.

He was ready to make their relationship a formal commitment. Despite the events of the day, warmth filled him. Six months ago, the mere thought of becoming a stepfather to three little girls would have sent him into a panic attack. But now the idea filled him with happiness and memories of Christmas morning. Morgan’s kids racing into the family room at dark o’clock. Their high-pitched squeals of joy as they ripped through wrapping paper, the excitement of the day alone making them—and Lance—happy. Lance and Morgan sitting on the floor with the children, drinking coffee, very much feeling like a couple.

That’s what he wanted every day.

But what did Morgan want? Was she content living in Scarlet Falls and working as a defense attorney, or did she miss being a prosecutor more than she would admit?

“I can’t help but feel awful for Noah Carter’s family.” Morgan rested her head against the window.

“I appreciate that you can see both sides of the case, but there’s no point torturing yourself.” Lance started the engine. “There isn’t anything you can do to help that family.”

“No. Defending Haley is our job.” Morgan looked over at him, her eyes bleak. “Who do you want to talk to first?”

“Let’s try Isaac and Chase.” Lance turned onto the highway and pressed the accelerator, not feeling half of the confidence he’d tried to project. They had theories and possibilities to investigate but nothing concrete. Juries loved fingerprints and DNA and everything else they’d seen on CSI. The prosecutor had a mountain of physical evidence that pointed directly at Haley as the killer.