Chapter 9 #2
“This.” Cam gestured to the open window displayed on the screen. She frowned but didn’t have to read for long for the words Domestic Abuse to jump out at her.
“He hit a woman?” She could barely believe what she was reading. “He struck her numerous times, giving her a black eye and swollen jaw?”
“Not just any woman, his wife. Loretta Gilmore, you remember her from school, right? She was a year behind us.”
Evie did remember Loretta. She was pretty but quiet, much like Rick.
“According to this, Loretta filed a restraining order against him, and that same order covers his son, Leo, as well.” He tapped the mouse pad to bring up another entry in the database.
“Yep. Just as I suspected. Here’s her divorce filing three weeks later.
” He scanned the details for a moment, then turned to look at Evie.
“This all took place roughly four years ago. The divorce was final a year after the restraining order.” He frowned, rubbing his chin.
“I wonder how it happened that Dan was able to keep the boat after the divorce.”
“Maybe he had to give her the house? And in exchange, he was able to keep the boat?” She frowned. “Or wait, didn’t his dad own a boat? Now that I think about it, I bet Dan doesn’t own that boat. It’s his dad’s, and he lets him use it.”
“Could be,” Cam agreed.
“Wow.” She sat back in the booth, stunned at the revelation Cam had uncovered.
When he’d mentioned a criminal record, she was thinking along the lines of a DUI or a bar fight.
This was way worse. And she couldn’t help but think that being arrested for domestic abuse explained why Dan Johnson wasn’t on any social media sites.
“You were right all along, Cam. He’s a horrible man. ”
“Yeah, one with some serious anger issues,” Cam agreed. His gaze remained locked on the computer screen. “I hope his wife and son are safe now.”
“Me too.” She bit her lip, then added, “Strange that he’d stay in town after this, don’t you think? Why not start over somewhere else?”
“Maybe he has to live with his dad. Or he needs his dad’s help.” Cam shrugged. “Or more likely his ex-wife took their son and left town.”
“I could see that,” she agreed. “I wouldn’t stay near someone who’d hit me.”
“And that’s only the incident that’s on record. He probably struck her before this. Or maybe he only yelled and screamed prior to striking out with his fists. The guy is scum, that’s for sure.” He sighed and shifted in his seat to face her. “The question remains, is he a serial killer?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” She thought about the domestic violence incident that had resulted in Dan Johnson’s arrest, then about how Rick Thomas knew Skye and worked at the hospital with Jasmine.
Two potential suspects. Both were far more likely to be guilty of committing murder than Cam.
Too bad all they had was theory without one shred of proof.
“Let’s get out of here.” Cam shut the computer, suddenly conscious of Marcie staring at him.
It was almost as if she and the rest of the residents of Grand Haven already knew he was the primary suspect in Skye’s murder.
As soon as he’d caught her looking at him, she averted her gaze, focusing on her kids.
As if he might snatch them in broad daylight.
It burned to be viewed as the enemy in his own hometown.
He hadn’t felt like this since he’d been stationed in Afghanistan where some of the locals were grateful for the soldiers protecting them, while others had screamed at them to go back where they came from.
“Fine with me to leave.” Evie scooted out of the booth and stood, reaching for the plastic tray. “Come, Bruno.”
Cam could feel intense gazes boring into his back as he followed Evie and Bruno outside. And this was only the beginning. As soon as the news of Jasmine’s body being found hit the airwaves, he’d suffer more intense scrutiny.
He’d never hurt a woman in his life. Yet he hadn’t been surprised to learn Dan Johnson was a bully who beat his wife.
Not after the way Dan had treated Tammy.
Cam was more convinced than ever that Dan must have run into Skye at some point that fateful night she’d gone missing.
That they were alone together while the rest of them hung out at the lakefront bonfire.
And that Dan had gotten so angry that he’d killed Skye, ditched her car, and buried her in the nature preserve.
Unlocking the SUV, he glanced at Evie. “Next stop, the riverfront.”
“Sounds good.” She opened the back hatch. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Rueger first? Maybe pointing out that Rick Thomas knew both Skye and Jasmine?”
“Not yet. Besides, I’m sure if Rueger did a deep dive into Jasmine’s last-known whereabouts, he’d discover several residents probably saw her prior to her going missing.
” He started the car, leaving the doors open for the intense heat to abate.
“Do you remember if Rick was at the bonfire that night?”
Evie’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember. Rick was always rather quiet. He wasn’t one of the loud ones who drew attention to himself.”
“Yeah, I can’t remember if he was there either.” He sighed as the air conditioning finally kicked in. Evie put Bruno in the back, then came around to slip into the passenger seat. “I know Rick came to some of our bonfires, but I don’t think he was at all of them.”
Evie shrugged. “Even if he was there, he could have left the bonfire to meet with Skye. Rick wasn’t dating Marcie back then, was he?”
“Not that I recall.” He hadn’t paid much attention to Rick, Marcie, or any of the other kids at the bonfire that night.
He’d felt bad about his argument with Skye, but at the same time, he’d been relieved she hadn’t come to the bonfire.
He hadn’t wanted Skye to start up again with her plan of moving to Grand Rapids to find jobs.
And if he were honest, he’d admit he’d been keenly aware of Evie’s presence that night. Of her sunburned nose and her wavy red hair that she’d worn loose around her shoulders. Even then, he’d liked and admired her. More than he should have.
But he’d never acted on his attraction. Not only had she been off-limits as Skye’s best friend, but he had already started counting down the days until he was scheduled to report in for army basic training.
He’d left Grand Haven without looking back.
“Cam? Do you see the squad?” Evie asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
He glanced over in time to see Kyle Abernathy’s face behind the wheel of the police car as it passed them. Keeping an eye on the rearview mirror, he was somewhat relieved Kyle didn’t immediately turn around to follow them again.
“He’s gone now,” Evie said, settling back in her seat. “I guess he’s taking his role of patrolling the city seriously.”
“As he should. Two women are dead.” Along with who knows how many others, he thought grimly as he navigated through town to head back to the riverfront parking lot.
He found a shady spot beneath some trees and pulled in.
Then he glanced at Evie. “Keep Bruno close, okay? The killer hasn’t tried anything in a while, which is good, but I don’t like the thought of you being vulnerable and alone. ”
“Bruno will protect me.” She pushed open her car door and slid out. “And maybe we’ll search the area a bit while you swim.”
His gut clenched as he joined her outside of the SUV. “Please don’t. This guy could be in the area, waiting for the chance to strike.”
“Staying here in broad daylight while the police are digging up Jasmine’s body? Not likely.”
“I mean it. Stick close to other people.”
She searched his gaze for a minute, then reluctantly nodded. “Okay, fine. We’ll stroll the path along the river until you return.”