CHAPTER TEN #2
“Our boy didn’t like that,” Owen said with a grin, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “Gage had his eye on her all evening, then stepped up when Bradford stormed out without walking her to her car.”
“Damn right I did,” Gage said. “And Bradford left because Melanie asked about the night she was assaulted. That rattled him. Another thing, he’s got a record of violence. Shane and I stepped in once when he hit his wife. I doubt it was the first time.”
Sawyer nodded grimly. “Sheriff’s department was called to their place a few times. She wouldn’t press charges. Then he hit her in public and you two intervened. That was apparently the last straw. Still no charges, but she divorced him and has full custody of the kids. Tells you something.”
Gage drained the last of his cider. “His record with women, plus how upset he got when she asked about the party. That’s why he’s top of my list.” Chase being named in the confidential FBI target letter was another strike against him.
“You all know he pulled papers to run for county supervisor?” Sawyer asked.
“He’ll never get elected,” Owen scoffed. “Too much of a self-important dick.”
Walker snorted. “You’re forgetting how many self-important dicks get elected.”
Gage turned to Walker and Sawyer. “You knew him back then. Do you think Bradford could’ve been the one who assaulted Melanie?”
Sawyer nodded slowly. “Yeah, I do.”
Walker leaned forward, elbows on the table.
“I knew him a little, and yeah, I wouldn’t put it past him.
But if it was Bradford, why the hell would Neil Grafton destroy his own career to protect him?
What kind of leverage or loyalty explains that?
” He drummed his fingers on the table. “Grafton had a grudge against me, but I think fucking with me was a side benefit. Protecting the rapist’s identity was more important. ”
“That’s what I want to find out,” Gage said. “I’m starting with Bradford. We’re looking for evidence of what he was up to the night of the assault, and any connection between him and Grafton.”
“Another element to consider, the Bradfords are plugged in socially and politically in this area,” Sawyer said.
“George Bradford, Chase’s old man, was on the city council, even did a stint as mayor.
In fact, he was mayor when all this went down.
And when he stepped down as president of Sierra Valley Bank, he handed the reins to Chase. ”
Gage cocked his head, considering. “Sheriff is an elected position. Let’s say George Bradford used his money and influence to support Grafton’s campaign.
Grafton gets elected and owes him. Then the rape kit comes back and implicates George’s son.
Grafton swaps out the name, pins it on Walker, and has the added bonus of putting a punk kid he sees as a troublemaker behind bars. ”
Gage continued. “That tracks up to a point. But once Grafton’s career tanked, he still chose to protect the rapist’s identity.
Even when it meant prison. You don’t take that kind of fall to repay a political favor.
His career was already in the toilet, but he still chose to keep the name secret.
There’s got to be a stronger motivation. ”
Owen stacked the now empty platters and leaned back. “So where do Boner and Franklin fit in?”
“Not sure yet,” Gage admitted. “Bradford is our primary suspect, but we can’t rule out other possibilities. One of them could’ve been the assailant. Got wind she’s back in town and wanted to shake her up a bit, scare her into leaving again.”
Sawyer shook his head. “After you called me with that theory, I ran their records. At the time Melanie was assaulted, Franklin was in lockup in a cell in Oakland awaiting arraignment for auto theft. Boner was in Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego. He got kicked out a few months later for dealing weed.”
“Then they were hired,” Owen said.
“Exactly,” Gage replied. “Boner scopes her out, snaps a few pics to confirm it’s her, then they stage a break-in. Franklin’s job was to scare the hell out of her. Maybe they torch the barn if she didn’t get the message.”
“That fits,” Sawyer said. “Which means the person who assaulted her is still watching her.”
Gage’s jaw clenched. “That’s why we protect her.”
“Agreed,” Sawyer said.
“Luke Ballard’s coming out for a consult on installing a security system for her. He said he’ll work her in, but he’s a busy guy.”
Somewhere in the last twenty-four hours, Gage had crossed an invisible line. Not that he’d ever stood by when someone was in danger—but this wasn’t anyone. Melanie and Addy were more to him than just neighbors. They were his to protect.
The realization had crept in slow and steady, but now that it was here, it settled deep. And became unshakable.
Sawyer finished off his cider and set the empty glass back on the table. “The department will do what it can with extra patrols, but with you out on the edge of town, resources are limited.”
“Understood.”
“You got a plan?” Owen asked, leveling a steady gaze at Gage. “And how can we help?”
“We run our own investigation. Melanie sent me the spreadsheet. I’ve already done background checks on everyone listed. Besides Bradford, a few have records. One guy was picked up for domestic violence. I’m digging deeper into him.”
He paused, then added, “Next step is interviewing them. I’ll handle that. Any of the dudes could be her attacker and I don’t want Melanie talking to them alone.”
Sawyer lifted an eyebrow. A knowing look passed among the men.
“What?” Gage asked, annoyed.
“Some things you gotta learn the hard way,” Owen said, grinning.
Gage didn’t have time to deal with Owen giving him shit. “This is how it’ll work. Her spreadsheet’s the starting point. Once we ID the fucker who hurt her, we’ll deliver him to the sheriff tied up with a bow.”
“Make sure it’s by the book. Last thing we want is for the case to get tossed on a technicality,” Sawyer advised.
“You said you’ve already looked through department records?” Gage asked.
“I have. But I’ll go back through them, see if anything rings a bell that didn’t before.
” Sawyer’s tone was cautious. “Still, we’ve reviewed that case a dozen times.
When it came out that Grafton falsified the rape kit ID, everything was reopened.
We never found anyone in the department willing to admit they knew what he was doing. ”
“Maybe that’s changed,” Gage said. “Time has a way of loosening tongues. Someone might talk now.”
Walker nodded toward his brother. “Our grandfather and Delaney’s grandma got the case reopened. I was exonerated. But even then, no one came forward. Grafton kept his circle tight—maybe it was only him.”
“Then we go back to the list of men who gave DNA samples. One of them was a match. That’s where we start.” Talking it through had Gage feeling more confident he was heading in the right direction. “Melanie wants to talk to Grafton. She’s reaching out to see if he’ll agree to a prison visit.”
“Worth a shot,” Walker said. He checked his phone and stood. “I gotta head out. I’ll call Grafton’s old secretary. She’s been helpful in the past. If she remembers anything new, I’ll let you know. Thanks for the grub.”
He raised a hand in farewell and headed for the door.
Owen leaned back, arms crossed. “You gonna loop Melanie in?”
Gage shook his head. “I told her I’d help and I’ll share what I’ve got from the background checks. But she’s got an independent streak a mile wide. For now, I’m holding off on mentioning the rest of you.”
Owen and Sawyer exchanged a look.
Gage frowned. “What now?”
“You’re going all-in on this and keeping the person at the center of it in the dark?” Sawyer pointed out. “Why not bring her in? Hell, bring all of them in. Keeley and Delaney were at that bootlegger. They’ll have different insights. Might even add names she missed.”
“And if you don’t tell her,” Owen added with a smirk, “you’ll get your ass handed to you when she finds out. Deservedly.”
Before Gage could respond, Keeley appeared and slid into the seat beside Owen. Gage didn’t miss how they immediately linked hands. “Why are we handing Gage his ass?”
“Because he’s got a lot to learn about women,” Sawyer said, pushing back from the table. “And speaking of women, mine is at home and I want to see her.”
After Sawyer left, Keeley turned her full attention to Gage. “What are you up to?”
“I’m not—” Gage sighed. He hated sounding defensive. “I’m trying to protect someone.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Gage.”
Owen kissed her hand. “Give him hell, princess.”
“What happened to you being all sweet and sunshiney?” Gage grumbled.
“Curiosity wins over sunshine. Does this have anything to do with Melanie and Chase Bradford?”
“Jesus, does anything stay quiet in this town?”
“Nope,” Keeley said cheerfully. “Also, you were practically shooting laser beams at Chase on Friday night.”
“Laser beams?”
“Yeah. If looks could kill, you’d have incinerated him with your laser beam eyes.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Melanie wants to find the fucking bastard who assaulted her. I’m concerned,” that was a better word than “afraid,” “that poking around could put her in danger.”
Keeley’s gaze softened. “Aww, you like her and want to protect her.”
“I’d protect anyone in her situation.”
Keeley’s stare was unwavering. She’d have made an excellent FBI interrogator.
“Fine, I like her. But don’t go blabbing everywhere, okay? I’m only getting my head around it myself and have no idea if she’s interested.” Except that she’d kissed him. That gave him some idea.
Keeley’s face lit up so brightly it was like she had emoji hearts in her eyes.
“I’m so glad, Gage. You need someone and Melanie is a good person.
Since we’re not in junior high, I won’t tell my besties, but you should definitely work with her on the investigation.
” She glanced around. “Seeing Walker and Sawyer on their way out, I’m deducing you’re including all our dudes.
The women shouldn’t be shut out, not only because you’re not a sexist jerk and shouldn’t act like one,” she said sweetly, “but because Delaney and I were at the bootlegger and we know just about everyone in town. We’ll help with anything that brings Melanie justice. ”
Which only confirmed Sawyer’s advice. He pinched the bridge of his nose, then speared her with a look.
“I’ll talk to Melanie. But Keels? If things get dicey and there’s a threat to any of you, the women are out.
” He pointed a finger at her when she opened her mouth.
“That’s not me being sexist. That’s me being trained and realistic.
You’re pregnant. The others are mothers.
None of you have law enforcement training. ”
“He’s damn right about that.” Owen’s tone was dead serious.
Keeley nodded slowly. “Fair. But Gage, make sure you don’t protect her so much that you take away her power. That man took something from her. Don’t take her agency too.”
Gage left them at the table, Owen and Keeley murmuring to each other like they were on a date. At the bar, Jen rang up his tab. He paid, left a generous tip, and stepped out into the crisp autumn air.
He had a lot to think about, including a conversation with Melanie.