CHAPTER FOURTEEN #3
“I’m looking forward to us being friends again, Mel.” Delaney looked at Walker, then spoke when he nodded. “Walker says you’re working to identify the man who assaulted you. We’d like to help with that. It has to be hard knowing he never faced justice and is out there free to live his life.”
Mel nodded. “It is. One reason I returned to Sisters was to reframe the narrative and find the man who did this to me. Mom and I moved away because I was ashamed and embarrassed about what happened. I feel coming back is reclaiming my right to be here.”
“That’s important,” Cam said. “You shouldn’t feel ashamed. Shame belongs on the person who assaulted you.”
“Exactly. I think bringing him to justice will help me find closure.” Her gaze met Walker’s. “I think for you too.”
Walker sipped his coffee. “What he did affected me, Delaney, my family. It’s time we got some answers.”
“Which brings me to contacting the people who’d been at the bootlegger,” Melanie said.
“My car ran out of gas after I left the party that night, even though I had half a tank when I left home.” She gripped her mug with both hands, appreciating its warmth.
“I was only a block from my house when it stalled. I decided to cut through the park, which sounds so stupid now. But I’d been to that park so many times and our house was just on the other side, and it was a long walk around.
The attacker put something over my head so I couldn’t see and only spoke in whispers.
That makes me think he knew I’d recognize him. ”
“Sawyer told us you have a spreadsheet listing the names of the people who were there that night,” Delaney said.
Melanie felt relief talking about it, putting into words the thoughts that had been swirling in her head for so long.
Sawyer tilted his head. “You think gas was siphoned from your car and then you were followed?”
“I do. I didn’t notice anyone following me, but I don’t know that I would have.”
Sawyer nodded. “It’s been a long time. People’s memories will be hazy, especially if they were under the influence. But asking if they recall someone near the cars is a place to start.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “I’ve been combing through department records. So far, nothing new.”
“Thanks, Sawyer.”
Melanie still felt shaky as she pushed back on the emotions threatening to swamp her.
When she’d first decided to dig into the past, she’d assumed she’d be on her own.
But looking around the table, seeing the determined faces of the people beside her, she felt anything but alone.
They formed a solid unit of unexpected support.
It made her feel stronger, and she didn’t take it for granted.
Gage slid his plate aside, bringing his coffee mug in front of him.
“When we figure out who the assailant is and how he was tied to Grafton, we’ll have our motive.
From what you’ve all told me, the sheriff wanted an arrest and a conviction, but he also had someone to protect.
Framing Walker let him accomplish all three. ”
“How was Walker finally exonerated?” Melanie asked.
“Gran, Sawyer, and James, Walker’s grandfather, hired a lawyer who was able to prove Neil Grafton put Walker’s name on the DNA match. Once his conviction was overturned, Walker took off.” Delaney gave her husband a pointed look. “He spent several years roaming the country, working. Avoiding me.”
“Didn’t think Delaney tangling up with an ex-con was good for her,” he told Melanie.
He raised a hand when Delaney opened her mouth.
“I know, I’m not an ex-con if I was exonerated, but I was so fucking pissed.
If I’d come back, I’d have burned down the town.
I had to get that rage out of my system, and I didn’t want to hurt Delaney or my family. ”
He glanced at his wife. “When I finally did come back, I still wanted retribution, but I wasn’t reckless.”
“I can understand that,” Melanie said. “I was angry too, and ashamed. Mom made sure I got therapy, and that helped. It took a while before I had perspective on what happened to me and Walker. Like Cam said, I shouldn’t feel ashamed because I was assaulted.
The person who attacked me should be ashamed. He should be in prison.”
“We all have a vested interest in finding him. I want to work together on this,” Walker said.
Melanie nodded. “My original plan was to find any information the detectives might have missed. Once I identify a suspect, I mean to bring that evidence to the sheriff’s department and ask them to reopen the case.
” Melanie looked around the table. “But I hear there was a little meeting among the guys,” she said pointedly, “and now the plan’s evolved. ”
“I heard about that.” Delaney gave her husband a narrow-eyed look.
Walker held up his hands. “Hey, don’t blame me. I was lured there with promises of alcohol and hot wings.”
When Cam raised a brow at her husband, Gage let out a sigh. “That one’s on me. Keeley already let me have it. In my defense, every woman in our group is a mom or soon to be, and I don’t want any of you in harm’s way.”
“Good for Keeley,” Delaney shot back. “But discussing the case doesn’t equal danger, and we’re more than capable of deciding what risks we’re willing to take.”
“Moving on,” Gage said, looking like he’d rather be anywhere than in the crosshairs of Delaney McGrath. “Bottom line, we follow the evidence. And after talking with Mel, and considering his record of domestic abuse, Chase Bradford’s my top suspect.”
The conversation shifted back to the bootlegger party. Melanie appreciated how Delaney and Walker helped clarify her list, adding a couple names and filling in missing connections.
Delaney confirmed seeing Rhonda with Greg Delano.
“I definitely remember Rhonda with Greg,” Delaney said. “They were against a tree. She was in his lap, and he had his hand up her shirt.” She frowned. “I think they disappeared for a while, but I’m not sure. I know his sister and I’ll get his contact info from her.”
Once they’d mapped out next steps, Melanie pushed her chair back. “We should get going.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the people seated around the table. “When I first came back to Sisters, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find the evil bastard who hurt me. But now I believe I will. And it’s because of all of you. Thank you for your help, and for being here.”
“We’re in this together,” Delaney affirmed.
A cry coming over a baby monitor had her pushing to her feet. “That’s Harper.” She gave Melanie a hug, then Gage. “We’ll touch base in a couple days and see what we’ve found.”