Chapter 4 #2
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him still staring at her. Ethan said, “You okay?”
Aubrey opened her mouth to tell him she was fine, but no words came out.
She didn’t know how much longer she could keep up this facade. Her breath rate increased, and her chest felt as if a huge, flat stone pressed on her. She closed her eyes for a moment, tried to slow down her breathing.
Ethan moved closer, his presence calming her frazzled nerves. He touched her shoulder.
She slowly raised her gaze to meet his and recognized his determination to protect people. To guard her from outside forces. “Is there something you need to tell me, Aubrey?”
“About the dead woman at the judge’s house that the police think I killed, or about the downed plane?” They didn’t have anything else to talk about right now.
A half smirk tilted his lips. “If you think of anything that can help with the judge’s disappearance, please tell me immediately.”
She hated that Ethan could read her so well. If she wasn’t careful, he’d dig up all kinds of secrets.
His hand left her shoulder. “I’ll do my best to figure out where the judge is, and you’ll be the first to know what I find.”
So Ethan did have a heart. “I appreciate that.”
He grabbed a pen from the pencil holder. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up, in case I don’t have good news.”
“I understand.” She looked at the page in front of her, afraid to meet his gaze. Afraid she’d give away more information than she was comfortable with, just in case it helped find Stephen. “I’ll feel better once you find the judge.”
He didn’t leave. “I know you’re scared and that you and the judge were close.”
You have no idea.
“I’m going to do my best to find him.”
She forced a smile. “I know you will.”
“Could you contact Renegade PD? Tell them I’m heading out to the judge’s place. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but since Mullinax is a federal judge, this falls into our jurisdiction.” He dropped the pen back in her holder, looking more unsure than she’d have expected.
She nodded. “You got it.”
“Thanks.” Ethan strode out of the office, his posture rigid.
She bit her lower lip. She was safe here in Renegade. Perhaps if she repeated that mantra enough times, she’d believe it.
Judge Mullinax had assured her when she moved here six years ago that nothing bad would happen. Now his housekeeper was dead, and he was missing.
Maybe that was a promise the judge shouldn’t have made.
Ethan let out a low whistle as he traveled through the judge’s gated community outside of Renegade.
Tall oaks spread their branches across the road, creating an intricate weave of shadows on the asphalt.
Two- and three-story homes that looked like something out of a Hollywood movie stood as silent sentinels on either side of the wide street.
Each home was surrounded by an iron fence, a call box in front of each gate. Immaculately manicured lawns peeked through the fence posts, while expensive luxury vehicles zoomed down the street.
How did a federal judge afford to buy a house on this side of town?
Ethan stopped his older-model F-150 pickup in front of the judge’s house. A patrol car sat in the judge’s drive, along with an older Camry, and a uniformed police officer stood watch at the gate.
Ethan rolled his window down.
“Can I help you?” The guy had heavy brows and a square jaw.
“Ethan Butler, Deputy US Marshal. I’m here to check on Judge Mullinax’s house.”
“Identification?”
Ethan pulled his wallet from his back pocket and opened it to show the officer his federal ID.
The officer handed it back. “Thank you, Deputy Marshal Butler. Just drive around to the front door. I’ll let them know you’re on your way. The detective is waiting for you.”
A moment later, the gate opened on silent casters.
The driveway was at least a hundred feet long, making it difficult for someone to access the house and kill the housekeeper.
Maple and oak trees created a verdant canopy over the drive.
The houses in this neighborhood were old money, probably built by the town founders, who’d struck gold a century or two ago.
Ancient history to most. But the judge reaped the benefits.
Ethan parked his truck just to the side of the double front door and behind the police cruiser. The house was even more impressive up close.
After exiting his truck, he did a little reconnaissance, checking the windows, the manicured shrubs.
He inspected the camera attached to the doorframe. It was still intact. Hopefully, there would be some footage from the previous day he could review.
The crime-scene tape blocking off the entrance had been removed. The only visible evidence that this had been an active crime scene was a smattering of dried blood smeared on the steps.
He raised his hand to knock on the door, but it opened before he had a chance to announce his presence.
Ethan stared at Detective Murphy from Renegade PD.
Murphy crossed his arms. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Deputy Marshal Butler. What can I do for you?”
This guy was a piece of work. And that was putting it mildly. Ethan had to bite back his response. He needed Murphy’s cooperation. “Mind if I come in, look around?”
Murphy looked over his shoulder and shrugged. “Suit yourself. Not sure what you’ll find. The crime scene unit went over this place with a fine-tooth comb. We cleaned up the scene already.” He stepped back into the foyer but blocked Ethan’s further entry into the house.
“Look, Murphy, I’m just trying to figure out where the judge disappeared to. It’s a federal investigation.”
Murphy snorted. “Good luck finding him.”
Ethan leaned against the entry door. “We need to work together on this case. Right now, all I want to do is check the security camera footage.”
They stared at each other for a few moments, the air thick with tension. Murphy started walking. “Right this way.”
He led Ethan down a back hallway, the house eerily quiet. The heavy scent of disinfectant clung to the air, and Ethan sneezed. They entered a small room where four screens covered one wall. A security room?
“The judge had all four entrances covered.” Murphy flipped a switch, and the monitors flickered to life.
He pointed to the one screen with a solid black image.
“This is the front-door camera, mudroom, patio, and the garage. You can see from the time stamp when they all went dark. Here’s the crazy thing.
” Murphy squeezed the back of his neck. “The blamed thing was working fine up until about five a.m. yesterday. After that, all the footage is blank.”
“That’s odd.” To say the least.
“Here, I’ll show you.” Murphy pressed a button, and the footage replayed until the cameras blacked out.
A flash caught Ethan’s eye. “Hang on a second. Rewind that section of the tape.”
Murphy replayed the video, and Ethan pointed to the screen. “There. Did you see that flash? Can you rewind and then play it in slow motion?”
Murphy shrugged. “Sure.”
The same image flashed across the screen, only this time it looked like a concentrated beam of light.
“Back it up and pause the image.” Ethan frowned. “That’s not a headlight, because the headlight of a car couldn’t penetrate all the trees and shrubs in the backyard.”
Murphy leaned closer. “Huh. Well, what about that. So what is it?”
“I’ve heard about this technique. How old would you say the cameras are? At least ten years old?”
“Yeah, that’s about right. Why?”
Ethan tapped the image. “Because if they are, then the judge’s cameras could’ve been easily disabled using a laser tag gun. Just point it at the camera eye, pull the trigger, and poof, no evidence. You’ve now taken out the surveillance camera.”
“That explains a lot.”
A sliver of apprehension set Ethan’s senses on edge. This wasn’t just some random killing. This had been planned.
Murphy led the way back into the main part of the house.
Ethan said, “I take it there weren’t any fingerprints either. Nothing to give a clear indication of who could’ve killed Mrs. Silano.”
“Nope.” Murphy shoved his hands into his pockets. “Single shot to the chest.”
“You’ll let me know if you find anything?”
“Absolutely. Same goes for you.” Murphy extended his hand, and Ethan had no choice but to shake it.
“Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”
Murphy said, “You do that.”
Ethan slid his sunglasses on and stood on the top step, surveying the neighborhood, or at least what he could see of it. There was a house across the street and another one to the left of the judge’s house that might hold potential.
He drove to the closest home and pressed the call button.
A woman answered. “Name, please.”
Ethan showed his federal ID. “I’m Deputy US Marshal Ethan Butler. I’m investigating the disappearance of Judge Mullinax. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?”
“Sure.” The speaker crackled.
The gate slid open, and he drove to the front of a stately colonial-style mansion. He itched just thinking about the cost to run these places.
Standing in front of the door, he noticed a small camera that lined up with the driveway. Perfect.
“You mentioned that Judge Mullinax is missing? How can I help you?”
He jerked upright and pivoted to find an older woman in a short kimono, leaning against the doorframe, her perfectly made-up face devoid of any wrinkles, a martini glass in one hand.
She studied him from head to toe, a small smirk on her face. “Something I can help you with, cowboy?”
Holy smokes. Her sultry voice was an invitation he was not interested in. He cleared his throat and pulled out his ID again. “Excuse me, ma’am.”
“Please, not ma’am. I’m not ancient yet. It’s Melanie Calder.”
He nodded once. “Ms. Calder, I’m sure you heard about Judge Mullinax’s housekeeper.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Yes, it was quite a shock. A lovely woman. She could make a mean boeuf bourguignon.”
What did he say to that? His stomach rumbled at the thought of a home-cooked meal. “Yes, well, have you talked to the judge this week?”
She opened the door wider. “It’s too hot out here to talk. Come on inside.”
Why did he feel as if she were a spider waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting insect? He stepped inside the darkened foyer and closed the door.
“Can I interest you in something cool to drink?” She tossed the question over her shoulder as she moved toward a seating area.
“I’m fine, thank you.” The sooner he got out of here, the better.
She sat and crossed her legs, and he had to glance away. “So, what were you saying about Judge Mullinax being missing?”
“When was the last time you saw him or spoke to him?”
“That’s right.” Her painted lips tilted up in a smile that Ethan was sure charmed the men. “Let’s see…the last time we spoke was this past weekend. Our community typically celebrates the Fourth with a big cookout and party at his place the weekend before. He asked me to bring a dessert.”
Ethan was pretty sure that wasn’t the only item on the menu. “So that was when? Saturday? Sunday?”
“Sunday afternoon.” She leaned forward and placed the glass on the table.
“Did you notice anything or anyone suspicious? Strange cars? You’ve probably already told the police what you saw, but I’d love to hear it firsthand.” He gave her a polite smile.
“No, can’t say that I did.” Melanie leaned back against the loveseat cushion. “This is a quiet neighborhood, and we pay for the added security. But I did see him and his little protégé, Aubrey, arguing.”
“Did you happen to hear what it was about?” This woman could simply be stirring up trouble, but it might be a lead he had to follow.
“He was always fussing at her as if she were a kid. Maybe his kid.” She smirked, taking a drink from her glass. “Anyway, none of my business.”
Ethan stood, unsure this was anything more than a woman causing trouble if she was insinuating Aubrey might be the judge’s daughter. If he heard the same from anyone else, he would look into it. “I’d like to inspect your door camera and the footage, if that’s all right with you.”
“This way, Deputy Marshal.” She walked toward the back of the house and inclined her head. “Coming?”
Unfortunately, yes, he had to follow her. She opened a small door to reveal a closet-sized space with multiple monitors, a desk, and a chair. “This is the setup my husband insisted on. Although I don’t know why.”
“Do you mind if I check the files on the computer?”
“Go right ahead.”
Ethan rewound the digital file from yesterday and sighed. Figured. Just some blurry images of cars passing by.
The judge’s car left his driveway around four p.m. on Sunday, and then nothing after that.
He fast-forwarded to yesterday. Nothing showed on the monitor until an SUV pulled up to the judge’s house around noon. He’d recognize that car anywhere. Aubrey’s. “Mind if I make a copy of this file?”
“Feel free.”
He quickly copied the file onto a thumb drive and shoved it into his pocket. “Thank you again, Ms. Calder.”
He shouldered past his hostess, and her steps followed close behind him. He stopped at the door and handed her one of his business cards. “If you or your husband have any other information, please feel free to contact me.”
She took the card and studied it for a moment, twirling it between her long fingers, their nails painted a garish red. “I’ll do just that.”
He slid out the door and tilted his head back to the sky. Man oh man.
Sitting behind the wheel, Ethan exhaled, thankful he wasn’t that person any longer. Were there temptations? Sure. Every day. But he’d been redeemed and cleansed.
He tapped the Bluetooth on his steering wheel.
“Montgomery.”
“I’m on my way back to the office. I was able to get some footage of the judge’s driveway from a neighbor’s house across the street. I want you to check it out.”
“Sure thing.” Montgomery hung up before Ethan could respond.
Ethan frowned at the abrupt click. Probably nothing. Montgomery wasn’t exactly a conversationalist.
Still, unease traced along his nerves as the office came into view.
Footage was good. Footage was progress. Unless it showed something they weren’t ready to see.
Whoever thought they could intimidate a judge in Ethan’s jurisdiction was about to find out redemption didn’t make a man soft.
It made him relentless.