13. Chapter 13
June 27, 2011
4:17 pm
Trey couldn’t help but smile when Trinity hugged him. He held on tight, but not too tight; he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
He also didn’t want to let go.
This was his kid…who he knew nothing about.
The shock of that revelation was soon followed by worry as he realized he didn’t know the first thing about teenagers or parenting. He had no idea how to talk to Trinity, how to discipline her, or even how to take care of her. About the only thing he knew how to do was love her. He just hoped that would be enough for now.
But somehow, none of that mattered. He had a daughter with the woman he loved. A daughter who was beautiful and sassy and full of life. A daughter he loved more than life itself despite having just met her.
He was still livid with Hailey for not telling him about Trinity. The fact that she had kept him from his daughter for thirteen years both pained and angered him. Though both emotions seemed to be fighting for center stage, it was pain that overtook him at the moment.
Even still, he wanted to understand where Hailey was coming from. If he didn’t, he feared he’d grow to resent her.
He tried to put himself in her shoes as an eighteen-year-old who just found out she was pregnant only to have the father of her child break things off, followed by the loss of her mother and the arrest of her sister. He couldn’t blame her for not initially telling him, but she should have told him after things calmed down. She owed it to him and Trinity.
And as much as he wanted to stew over past hurts and old scars, it wouldn't help them. It especially wouldn’t help Trinity. There was a lot that he and Hailey needed to discuss, but becoming a family was all that mattered, whether as a couple or as co-parents.
But for the moment, he needed to bring his focus back to Morgan’s case.
While at Genevieve’s, one of his deputies texted to tell him they’d tracked down the clerk who was at the corner store the night Morgan was killed. Apparently, the guy still worked there so Trey was heading over to interview him.
Trey walked into the store, welcoming the cool air. The Florida heat was brutal despite the rain clouds that were rolling in. He could hardly walk from the car to a building without soaking his t-shirt in sweat.
A woman was checking out at the counter, so he browsed the aisles until she was finished. Trey snagged a pack of sunflower seeds, some boiled peanuts, and a sweet tea and brought them up to the clerk.
“Are you Arthur Reed?” Trey asked.
“That’s me. You the police chief who’s ‘posed to talk to me?” He sounded as if he smoked ten packs of cigarettes a day. The man yanked a handkerchief from the pocket of his plaid button down and wiped his bald head, sunspots covering his wrinkled hands.
“Yes, sir. I need to ask you about something that occurred about thirteen years ago.”
The man scanned the items for Trey and placed them in a bag. “That's a long time ago. I can't promise I’ll be much help.” He glanced at the cash register. “$5.50.”
Trey pulled out his wallet and handed the man some cash. “Thirteen years ago, there was a group of teens who had been parked in your lot. There were four of them and they were pretty drunk.”
“Oh yeah, I ‘member them. I was getting ready to close and I didn’t want to get into no trouble if somethin’ happened, so I told ‘em to leave. One of ‘em girls, she was blonde, stuck her head out the window and threw up all over my parking lot.” The man shook his head, still irritated. Trey assumed he was talking about Sara as Donna had black hair.
Trey nodded, confirming they were talking about the same group of kids. “Do you remember what time that was?”
“It would have been around ten-thirty or so because that’s when I close.”
“Did they leave right away?”
The man shook his head. “Naw, they stayed about thirty more minutes before I told ‘em I'd call the cops. After that, they squealed outta here.”
So, Sara was innocent.
What the hell happened with this case?
Trey asked the man a few more standard questions before leaving the store. Then he walked back to his truck where he quickly blasted the air. Trey drove back to the station to catch up on paperwork and touch base with the crime scene techs investigating Nicole’s case.
The whole situation was curious now that there was a connection between Nicole House and Morgan Gallagher. It definitely could be a coincidence, but Trey wasn’t so sure.
It also opened up the possibility of Ryan being a suspect in one or both murders. Ryan always had it out for the Gallagher twins when they were younger, and at the time, Trey never understood why. But after finding out Ryan’s paternity, it made sense that Ryan would hate them if he knew David was his father. The twins were flaunted by the man while Ryan had been banished to the shadows.
The question was: had Ryan known David was his father and, if he did, how angry was he about it? Could it have caused him to lash out at Morgan? Or even Nicole?
At this point, Nicole could be a suspect. If she became tired of being the mistress, she could have killed Morgan in hopes that David would marry her, and her disappearance could have nothing to do with Morgan’s murder.
Could the two crimes be connected by more than just a tangled web of lies, deceit, and lust? Could the same person have killed both women? The timing was especially odd, with Sara getting out of prison.
It was all theories, but it opened up a lot of doors for both cases and added new players that weren't even a thought before. He wasn't sure what to make of it all.
Trey shook his head as he turned into his parking spot at the station. A few days ago, he was giving long talks to teenagers about graffitiing old buildings. Now he had a thirteen-year-old closed case that needed to be reopened and a missing woman who was loosely connected to that case.
He parked his truck and strolled into the station. He eyed Deputy Rodriguez at his desk and beckoned the officer to his office.
“Do you have any updates on Nicole House’s disappearance?”
“No sir,” he said, shaking his head. Marcus Rodriguez had been in the police academy with Trey. He was a great cop and had a sense of humor that put everyone at ease. The man was a talker and a looker, and Trey valued his friendship as well as his dedication to the law and the people of Auburndale.
He continued, “We’re still tracking down her son to see if he’s heard from her. And the crime lab is backed up so it may be a while before we hear about DNA results from the crime scene.”
“What do you mean you haven't tracked down Ryan? I just arrested him. He should still be in jail.”
“They released him, sir.”
Trey cursed. “How did that happen?”
The deputy shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t have the details, but I can get them for you.”
Trey nodded and said, “Do we currently have any reason to suspect him?”
“Not that we’ve found. I mean, he has a pretty thick record but surprisingly hasn’t done much time. From the interviews we did with Nicole’s co-workers, they all seemed to think the two were on good terms. Though the ladies said Ryan gave them the creeps.”
Trey agreed with that assessment. But now he was curious as to how Ryan was released so quickly. Trey knew he hadn’t bonded out as he likely hadn’t even been fully processed yet. How the hell had Ryan managed to skirt the law?
Then it dawned on Trey. David Gallagher had the power and the connections to make sure Ryan didn’t see the inside of a jail cell.
Would he manipulate his way into getting Ryan out of serving time? If he did, it would surely raise flags for Ryan if he didn’t already know about his paternity.
It was peculiar that David Gallagher seemed to land in the middle of these two investigations. First, his wife is killed and now his ex-mistress goes missing thirteen years later.
That’s a little too coincidental for Trey’s taste.
He made a mental note to track down Ryan after he talked to David.
Maybe the Mayor of Auburndale knew more than he was saying.
Hailey wasn’t sure how much Lauren knew about her father’s affair. Lauren had been David’s secretary when Morgan died so she would have been privy to his schedule and meetings. And Hailey wasn’t naive enough to believe Lauren hadn’t made it her business to know what went on with the influential people in town. She had often worked alongside Morgan to help David get ahead in his politics because she had always been well-informed on local policies and the politicians who wrote them.
Did Lauren and Morgan ever have whispered conversations about David? Did Morgan ask Lauren about his affair? Did Lauren even know about it?
Once back at her father’s house, she found Lauren eating lunch on the back porch.
Since Genevieve had the day off and David was working, Lauren had the house to herself. Hailey wondered if the woman enjoyed the peace and quiet or if she was lonely. She felt bad about not spending time with her, but Hailey wasn’t sure how to move past the awkwardness.
Lauren patted the table, encouraging Hailey to sit with her. “Hi, Sugar. I thought you’d be out most of the day.”
Not to Hailey’s surprise, Lauren was well-dressed, donning a name-brand red blouse paired with white shorts that showed off her tan legs. She wore a cute pair of heels to match.
Hailey fidgeted with her hair. “I was planning on it, but something came up.”
Lauren eyed Hailey. “Are you okay? You seem a little distracted.”
“I need to talk to you about Trinity. I didn’t appreciate you telling her anything about Trey.”
Red slowly colored Lauren’s cheeks. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn’t realize I did anything wrong. I really didn't mean any harm, she just seemed so sad.”
“I know, but there was a reason I didn’t tell her anything. She figured out Trey was her father and told him before I was ready to talk to him about it.”
Lauren sat up. “Hailey, I had no idea she would even be able to figure it out. It’s not like she would ever see him.” After the words left her mouth, her eyes rounded. “You’ve been seeing him again, haven't you? Oh, gosh, if I’d known he was around I wouldn’t have opened up my big mouth.”
She was genuinely mortified, and Hailey felt guilty for coming on so strong.
“I hadn’t planned on it,” Hailey said. “But…well, that’s actually the other reason I came to talk to you. I have some questions about my mother.”
Lauen’s brow lifted behind her sunglasses. “Is this the real reason you’re staying in town? Not that I don’t want you to, but…" Lauren paused for a moment and sighed. “I don’t mean this offensively, but we both know you’re not out getting coffee with people. Plus, I know Trinity has been staying with Genevieve while you do…whatever it is you’re doing.”
Hailey contemplated starting this conversation with her. Once she admitted to reopening her mother’s case, Lauren would no doubt share that information with David. That is, if he didn’t already know. The grapevine was both a blessing and a curse depending on which side you were on.
But, she supposed, the truth had stayed buried for far too long.
“Did you know my father had an affair before my mother died?”
Lauren blinked quickly, surprised by the question, but she didn’t hesitate to answer. “Yes. I knew about it…after the fact, anyway.” She paused and took a sip of her sweet tea then continued, “And I’d assume that if you know about the affair then you know about your half-brother.”
“Yes, no thanks to my father. I found out about it in my mother’s diaries,” Hailey said.
Lauren nodded slowly. “He’s not a very honest man, but you already know that. I found out about it a year after I started working for him. I overheard a conversation between David and Nicole mentioning a son, so it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.”
“So clearly he and Nicole were still talking, if not seeing each other.” Hailey couldn’t believe her father would do that to her mother, after all he had put her through. “Does Ryan know?”
“Ryan grew up knowing David was his father, so there was a lot of tension between the two families.” Lauren shook her head. “I don't know why Nicole would do that to him. It probably wasn’t healthy for a boy to know that his father deliberately abandoned him and then went on to have two more children he obviously loved more.”
Lauren fidgeted with her fingers. “I love your father, even for his faults, but he put himself in an awful situation, something I think he secretly still feels guilty about.”
Hailey held her breath to keep herself from laughing at Lauren’s words. What love? David Gallagher hadn’t loved them; he had hated them. He wasn’t capable of love. Hailey had learned that the hard way.
“Why didn’t he tell us? Ryan was awful to us, and my father did nothing about it.”
Lauren smiled sadly. “You know exactly why, Hailey. I love that man more than he knows, but even I can see that his reputation is everything to him. Ryan would ruin what David had spent years building.”
Hailey had always wondered why David hadn’t pressed charges against Ryan after he attacked her that night. She thought he hadn’t wanted to add to the trauma of Morgan’s death, but that clearly wasn’t his motive at all. The fact that he swept her attempted murder under the rug just to save his own reputation, to keep his secrets, infuriated her. It made her hate him even more.
Lauren gently touched Hailey’s hand and tilted her head to the side. “What’s really going on?”
“What do you mean?”
Lauren smiled. “I mean, why are you asking about your mother? And why are you asking me about her?”
Hailey debated on how much to tell Lauren. She didn’t want her father finding out about the tape or that they were looking into her mother’s death, but she knew the news would spread eventually.
“My mother’s case may get re-investigated.”
Short and sweet, not giving too many details.
“I don’t understand why,” Lauren said flatly. “Sara was already tried and convicted. I don’t see a point in opening a case that’s already been solved.”
“We may have found some evidence that exonerates her, and Trey is looking into things.”
“I guess I'm just confused.” Lauren sat back in her chair. “For the last thirteen years you've not so much as stepped foot in this town. You haven't called to check on your heartbroken father and you’ve never said anything about Sara being innocent. Now all of a sudden you think the police got it wrong?”
Hailey knew it sounded crazy. And she couldn't blame Lauren for being hesitant. No doubt David only spewed his narrative to her. Plus, love could be blinding when something threatened it. It would only be natural for Lauren to feel the need to protect David from the pain of old wounds should the case be reopened.
“I know, and that was wrong of me. But I can’t ignore what I’ve found out.”
Lauren scrunched her brows together. “I don’t understand how you think an entire investigative team could have gotten it wrong. They’re not incompetent. Whatever information you were given is wrong.”
Hailey gently said, “I don’t expect you to be okay with this, but we’re going to look into it. And I’d really appreciate anything you can tell us that might help us find who really killed my mother.”
Lauren bit her bottom lip, contemplating what Hailey said. “You really believe Sara is innocent?”
“Yes, we have proof. She had an alibi.”
Lauren nodded slowly. “I wasn’t around your family much before your mother died, aside from work engagements, so I don’t know how much help I can be.” Lauren frowned. “I assume you’ve been in contact with your sister since all this has come about?”
“Yes, she’s staying with an old friend.”
Lauren searched Hailey’s eyes. “I don’t know you or your sister very well, but I can tell this is important to you.”
Hailey nodded. “I need to make sure the real murderer is brought to justice. He ripped my family apart and he deserves to pay for that.”
Lauren took Hailey’s hand. “Then I’ll help however I can, but your father isn’t going to like this. He believes Sara is guilty and so did a judge and the D.A. Trying to prove her innocence may be next to impossible.”
“I know, but it’s the right thing to do.”
“Well, I suppose that settles it then. And once your father gets home, I’ll have him come find you. He owes you an apology for his outburst at dinner.” Lauren rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Hailey wondered how an angel like Lauren could fall in love with a snake like David.
Love is blind, she supposed.
Hailey thought about what Lauren said as she drove back to Genevieve’s house. Lauren was right, it would be nearly impossible to get the D.A. to reopen the case, let alone get a second conviction. Part of her wanted to let it go, to forget the past, but another part of her told her to fight.
So, fight she would.
Trey waited outside David Gallagher’s office. Once the secretary was off the phone, she ushered him inside the room. David sat at his wooden desk; paperwork strewn in front of him. His suit jacket hung on the back of his chair and the sleeves of his button down were rolled.
Not surprisingly, his office had very little personal effects. There was a single picture of him and Lauren on the shelf behind him and a few other photos of David shaking hands with what Trey assumed were important politicians.
No photos of Hailey or Sara or his late wife.
Not even Trinity’s beautiful face graced the room, something that irked Trey to his core.
Was it because David had no relationship with the teen or was it because she was Trey’s daughter? Though Trinity likely didn't know she was like a ghost to this man, Trey’s instinct to protect her nearly overtook him. He wanted to tell David how special his granddaughter was and how much he was missing out on because he was a narcissistic bastard.
He inwardly huffed. Trinity was better off without this monster in her life. Something he and Hailey would actually agree upon.
David eyed him suspiciously. He didn’t bother hiding his hatred for Trey. “What do you want, Trey?”
Trey didn’t bother with pleasantries either. “Do you know where Nicole House is?”
David furrowed his brow as he shook his head. “What?”
“Nicole House. Have you seen her?”
He shrugged and looked back down at the paperwork that lay on his desk. “I don’t know who that is.”
Trey was in no mood to be jerked around. A woman was missing, and David had a history with her. “Don’t lie to me. You spent years sleeping with her until she got pregnant and then you had to cut ties to save your marriage.” Trey smiled. “Well, let’s be honest: you weren’t saving your marriage as much as you were saving your own ass. Except, I don’t think you actually stopped seeing her. If I had to guess, you’re probably still seeing her. And now she’s missing."
David clenched his jaw. “Who told you that? And what do you mean she’s missing?”
“So, it’s true?”
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to. I have proof of the affair and the baby who was a result of it.”
David narrowed his eyes at Trey, but Trey wouldn’t be intimidated. He stepped closer. “Ryan, right?”
David clenched his jaw. Then he opened up the bottom drawer and pulled out a single glass and a bottle of aged bourbon.
That was David’s sophisticated way of telling Trey to screw off. Men like David displayed their allegiance by sharing a shot of expensive alcohol together. Except this wasn’t a social call and he wasn’t drinking to celebrate or seal a deal. He was drinking because he was nervous. And he was drinking alone because he hated Trey.
Trey didn’t care. He hated David more.
David quickly downed the amber liquid and grimaced, coughing forcefully as he did. Trey studied the man who once stood over him, telling him he’d be nothing in life. Who convinced him he could never give Hailey the life she deserved.
Now he looked tired and frail, something Trey hadn’t been expecting. He was shocked this was the same man who had intimidated him all those years ago.
It had been two weeks before all hell broke loose that summer. David had found Trey at work, loading horse feed onto a truck at the local feed store. Trey had been working overtime for months, finally earning enough to buy Hailey a ring. Trey had been nervous and wanted to impress the man who would be his future father-in-law.
Mustering up his courage, Trey had marched over to David and extended his hand. He had wanted David’s respect. But David had simply stared at Trey’s hand. Without missing a beat, David had said, “Do you love my daughter?”
“More than anything in the world, sir.”
“Anything?”
“Sir, I would die for your daughter. I want to give her the world and more. She deserves nothing less.”
David had laughed then, catching Trey off guard. “You can’t even afford to feed yourself, boy, let alone provide for her. You’re right, she deserves nothing less than the world and you will never be able to give that to her.”
“Sir, I-”
David didn’t let him speak. “If you love my daughter as much as you say you do, then you won’t stand in her way of finishing school and making a life for herself. You won’t stand in the way of her living a happy life with a man who can provide for her and take care of her in a way she deserves. A man who truly loves a woman will do what’s best for her, not what’s convenient for himself.”
David had been right. Trey would never be the man who could give her the world. So, he had broken things off. And it had been the biggest mistake he’d ever made.
Trey found David’s last words quite ironic now. The hypocrisy was laughable.
As David lifted the empty glass, Trey saw the worry etched on his aging face. Though, Trey wasn’t sure if he was more worried about Nicole’s safety or about his secrets coming to light.
Realizing his lies wouldn’t help him, David sighed. “If you know Ryan is my son, then you’re not bluffing about the affair. So, yes, it's true. Except I stopped seeing her after Morgan died. Now what do you mean she’s missing?”
Trey wasn’t sure he believed that last part, but he wouldn’t call him on it. “We went by for a wellness check and found her door open. There appears to have been a struggle and we can’t locate her. So, what do you know about it?”
David poured another glass and swirled the liquid. “I don’t know anything about it. I haven't talked to her in years.”
Trey was irritated. Nicole was missing and he was running out of time to find her alive, if she was alive. And since David wanted to waste time by lying, he was also risking Nicole’s life.
“Cut the shit, David. First your wife is murdered and then your mistress ends up missing thirteen years later? That doesn't seem a little odd to you?” Trey tilted his head. “And let’s not forget we both know you’re capable of hurting the women you claim to love. I seem to recall quite a few bruises on Hailey and Sara back in the day. They say murder isn’t a far jump from abuse.”
David chuckled. “And what man sees bruises on his woman and does nothing about it? You couldn’t even keep her safe from Ryan.”
Trey’s stomach knotted, knowing that something sinister had happened to Hailey. Rage erupted within Trey as David taunted him with his own daughter’s pain. Trey clenched his jaw and glared at the old man.
David continued, “Morgan’s killer was already convicted, so I don’t know why you think it’s odd. Unless you think Sara killed Nicole too.”
Trey was done letting David jerk him around. Trey was determined to get to the truth.
“Well, new evidence shows she didn’t. Now I’m going to revisit your deceased wife’s case and investigate your missing mistress.” Trey smiled, trying once again to get under the man’s skin. “And all your dirty little secrets are about to come out for the world to see.”
David stood and leaned over his desk, placing his hands on either side of the wooden box. “Don’t threaten me, Harbor. I promise, you will regret it.”
Trey stepped to the desk and mirrored David. “I’m not a scared little kid anymore. It looks like you’re losing all the control you’ve spent years building, and I can’t wait to watch you go up in flames.”
Fear flashed behind his eyes, then fury. David smiled. “And it looks like you can speak to my lawyer.”
“I look forward to it,” Trey said as he walked out the door.
Trey wasn’t sure if David was involved directly, but he was definitely hiding something.
Luckily for Trey, there was someone who hated David more than Trey did, and Trey guessed he would be more than happy to spill all he knew.
With that, Trey knew he needed to hunt down Ryan House.