Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
B Y THE TIME SHE WAS ABLE TO make out the last bit of the letter, Hanna’s heart was pounding. She stood still, the room quiet but for the sound of Joe’s oxygen feed and his labored breathing. She rubbed her temple and looked up at Joe.
“Chase said that he took care of Gilly?”
Joe nodded.
“Did that mean he killed him?”
Joe’s thin shoulders shrugged.
“Why did you confess? Why did you let Chase get away with murder?” She asked the questions knowing Joe couldn’t answer. He indicated that he wanted to write something. She flipped the page over and handed the pad back to him. She leaned close to the bed while the shaky hand began to scrawl again.
No choice. I wanted you and your mom to live.
Hanna felt as if her heart constricted.
Joe shifted in his bed, tried to lean forward. Tears fell from his eyes. His face flamed red with the effort. He spoke in a whisper.
“In—the—short—time—I—had—to—think—the deal—only way.”
He caught his breath.
Hanna could barely hear him. “You trusted them to keep their word.” Hanna tried to process everything.
“Trusted—Everett. He’s—no—killer.”
“What about Gilly?”
He shook his head. “Never. Saw.”
Hanna considered this. If Joe had told the truth, the federal authorities would have paid more attention. There would not have been a simple three-person tribunal. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Thirty-five years in prison.
Joe was writing, rather scrawling, more words.
My only leverage. Big Al—would have hurt you both. Keep you and Mom safe. Couldn’t talk to Feds. Only way—keep you safe. Good trade.
Joe had sacrificed his life for hers.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the dying man. Thoughts of all the years lost paralyzed her, then anger swelled. She sniffled, her throat tight. But there was no time for emotion, no time for recrimination. They had to find Nathan. She’d been here too long.
“Now that we’ve found the bodies, it casts doubt on your story, your confession. And if Chase thought Nathan was coming to talk about Blake and Sophia...” Her voice trailed off.
Her father’s head turned slowly from side to side.
“If this happened like you say, there is no way Chase could have dumped the bodies. He was injured, in the hospital. Who put the bodies in the lake?”
A knock on the door made her jump. It was Jared. “What are you doing here?”
“Manny Pacheco is in the ER with a dislocated kneecap. Asa had to arrest Carver. I wanted you to know, and I didn’t want you to run off by yourself and do something crazy.”
“I can call on resources. I need to find Nathan.” She turned her radio back up, certain Asa had probably tried to call.
“I want to help.” He frowned. “What is it, Hanna? You’re unsettled. Did Joe die?” He looked toward the bedroom.
“He’s weak. I just found out that he was never the killer.” She handed him the letter.
He glanced at it.
“You’re sure he’s being truthful?”
“He has nothing to lose. And it fits the evidence.” She sighed. “I’m going to talk to Everett. I’ll notify the sheriff’s department and ask for backup.”
“How does Nathan being missing figure into all this?” Jared asked. “Did Nathan think Chase was the one who killed Edda and the other women?”
“He knew that the guy who dumped Edda drove an SUV. He was trying to eliminate SUV owners. Everett has four. According to Joe, Chase killed Blake and Sophia. But he couldn’t have put them in the lake. There are more people involved in this. If Nathan took a trip up there to ask about the current murders and Chase feared his past murders had been discovered...”
“Nathan could be in real trouble.”
“I have to get up there.”
Jared put a hand on her arm. “Hanna, however I can help, I will.”
She held his gaze, memories of all the crazy stuff they did as kids flooding back. Rock climbing was life or death, and he was always fearless. No matter what they did, she felt safe with Jared. This was life or death as well, but they’d be facing bullets.
“You’re not a cop.” Her protest was weak.
“No, but I’m an EMT. I can do first aid.”
Hanna didn’t want to argue. “We’re running out of time.” She opened the front door. “Do what I say, clear?”
“Clear.”
Hanna cast a glance back at Joe. He was still writing.
She headed for her car, with Jared on her heels.