Chapter 29 #2
“Monique and Sheila were instant friends. They, along with a handful of other girls, formed a tight clique. They were part of what many people called the popular crowd, though they seemed to relish their popularity more than most.” He took a long drink of his soda.
“Tyler was part of the popular group, too, you know.”
“I know my brother Phil and Tyler were good friends, and Phil had plenty of other friends.”
“Which means they were immune to the antics of Sheila, Monique, and their group.”
“Phil knew about it. He said they were the classic mean girls.”
“Yep. They went out of their way to target students they thought were beneath them. I have statements from many former classmates, both men and women, who said the girls did everything they could to make their lives miserable.” Joe shook his head.
“It didn’t stop after high school either.
As adults, both Monique and Sheila were known gossips.
Sheila had been spoken to repeatedly by her bank supervisors.
Monique worked for her aunt at the craft store, where she was originally in charge of the knitting and crochet circles.
Too many of the conversations were being spread around, so her aunt stopped letting her participate in the circles. ”
“Did that stop the gossip?”
“According to the aunt, it did.”
“And her death?”
“Monique’s timeline is less clear. Her aunt left around three o’clock that day, but Monique stayed to close up. The building’s alarm was set at five, exactly when it should’ve been.”
“And then?”
“Nothing until her remains were found Sunday morning. In a different section of mountains than Sheila. She was also strangled.”
“The same day Adam showed up at Gina’s place and took Tyler in for questioning.”
“Right. But let’s not forget you were attacked on Saturday morning while out for your run.”
Her hand went to the still-tender cut along her scalp. “I haven’t forgotten.”
He made a note in his notebook. “We know Tyler was at work that day.”
Brooke nodded. “Robert verified that.”
“But he doesn’t have an alibi for Friday night. You went to Jocelyn’s play with Steph. You thought he was going to play darts.”
“I didn’t know his friends that he usually played with were gone elk hunting.”
“So, he doesn’t have an alibi for Friday night. He works practically next door to where Monique works. There’re rumors they dated in high school— ”
“Tyler says that’s a lie.”
“And I’m leaning toward agreeing with him. While several people have said they heard Tyler and Monique dated, no one confirms it. Your brother even laughed about it, saying no way.”
“You talked to Phil?”
“I’ve spoken to just about everyone who may have info on their history. But Tyler’s lack of an alibi doesn’t help him any.”
“You think he killed her Friday night, dumped her, and went into work Saturday morning like it was just a normal day?”
“I think it’s possible.” Joe’s expression was troubled. “I don’t want it to be true, Brooke. But the timeline fits.”
Brooke stood and walked to the window. Outside, the street was quiet. Normal. Like the world wasn’t falling apart around her.
“What about motive?” she asked without turning around. “Why would Tyler kill them?”
“The theory stems fully from their dating in high school.”
“But you just said you can’t prove he dated Monique. And really, it was years ago.” Brooke turned to face him. “If Tyler wasn’t here, if he never came back, who would be the main suspect?”
“You’re assuming they’d still be murdered.”
“Because I don’t believe Tyler is guilty.”
“Who else had motive, access, and opportunity? Who else is smart enough to make Tyler look guilty? And why frame him?”
“Who else connects to both victims?”
“That’s the question.” Joe pulled his laptop closer and started typing. “Both women lived here for most of their lives. Both were part of the same friend group. Both worked in town.”
“What about their personal lives? Relationships? Conflicts?”
“Sheila was twice divorced. Shane Jenkins doesn’t live in the state, and as far as I can tell, they haven’t had contact since the divorce was finalized.
Rusty Jones has a temper, clearly, but he also has an alibi.
He was visiting relatives out of town the weekend Sheila died.
He knew Monique, since Sheila and her had been friends during their rocky marriage, but he has an alibi for that night too.
He was working an overnight shift at the factory. ”
Brooke thought about Rusty’s hands around Tyler’s throat, about the rage in his eyes. She could see him doing it, but his alibis sounded solid. “What about Monique?”
“Never married. No kids. Lived alone. She’d worked at her aunt’s store off and on since she was in high school.
She and Sheila maintained their friendship, often going to bars and different events.
We know Sheila mentioned a few people from the old gang going out when she was talking to Tyler at the bank. ”
“Yeah. Edi mentioned that too.”
Joe scrolled through his notes. “Both women were strangled. Same method. Location of the crime is unknown. Same type of dump site—remote, no witnesses, bodies found later.”
“Which suggests the same killer.”
“Right. And that killer knew the area well enough to hide bodies where they wouldn’t immediately be found, knew both victims well enough to get close to them, and had the physical strength to overpower them.”
Brooke sighed. “Tyler fits all of that.”
“Probably dozens of people do, but not all of them have history with both of them, even if it is ancient history.”
“Then we need to find those dozens of people.”
Joe studied her for a long moment. “You really think he’s innocent.”
“I think someone’s lying. And I think we need to find out who.”