CHAPTER Five #2
Now Ross seemed a little lighter, having unloaded his feelings a bit.
He didn’t realize until just then that seclusion doesn’t provide much of an outlet for venting.
Now that Ross seemed a little less burdened, Camille decided it was time to get back to gathering her information.
It was time for the questions to continue.
“So, how did the weapon get thrown out, leading to your release?”
“Apparently, it was a very rookie mistake for such a high-profile case. They discovered the weapon before they secured a search warrant, and at that point, they didn’t have probable cause either,” Ross explained. “Or something like that. I don’t know all the details, but the weapon got thrown out.”
“With nothing else to incriminate you, they had to let you go,” Camille concluded.
“Yeah, but the whole world heard that they found the murder weapon in my garage. Convicted or not, I was fucked. As you know, that’s why I’m here with no refrigerator and no toilet.”
“You don’t have a toilet?” Camille questioned.
“Well, I have my version of a toilet.” When he saw the cute, little way she scrunched up her nose to make a confused face, Ross grinned and grabbed her hand. He led her into the bedroom to show her a five-gallon bucket with a garbage bag on the inside and a pool noodle around the top.
“Wow! That’s genius!”
The more she discovered about this man, the more attracted she became.
Now she was painfully aware that they were in his bedroom, and Camille felt that subtle gripping feeling between her legs again.
But when Camille looked at Ross, she saw a man with a conflicted mind.
His distress now became her focus. He needed to accept that his wife most likely set him up.
This little diversion was actually just what Ross needed to arrive at the truth: Janelle was involved. All the evidence pointed to that conclusion, so why was it so hard to accept?
“Look,” he said slowly. “I know things are over with Janelle and me, but we have a lengthy past. I know the truth. I just need some time to understand it.”
And as Ross said those words, his sad eyes locked on Camille, and she couldn’t ignore one very obvious truth: Janelle’s betrayal was worse than any of his other hardships caused by this tragic ordeal.
And she got it. She understood him completely.
It was time to stop the shop talk and lighten the mood.
“You ready for another beer? I’m heading to the fridge, if you need one.
” Her cheery tone instantly shifted the atmosphere, and Ross was relieved.
He suddenly felt lighter and even laughed.
He didn’t know what it was about this woman, but he was definitely interested in getting to know her better.
And that thought made him extra conscious of his comments concerning Janelle.
He didn’t want Camille to think he was still pining away for his ex.
He knew their relationship was over. But he had loved Janelle for so long, he would have to retrain his heart for the possibility of someone new.
The next part of the evening was full of light-hearted conversation that helps people get to know one another but doesn’t scrape at old wounds. And when Camille finished her fourth beer, she knew she was unfit to drive and was cussing herself for being so reckless.
“I need to get going,” she said with a smile. “But I might have to sober up a bit first.”
Ross was confused. “I just assumed you were staying.”
It must have been the shocked look on Camille’s face. Ross realized how that sounded, and now he was scrambling to fix things. “I mean … I didn’t mean … well, I just thought you were staying here … not with me …” FUCK!
Ross was flustered, and Camille thought it was a little amusing. She tried to keep from smiling as Ross continued babbling.
“These lake roads are dangerous enough. You don’t have any business being out there after drinking. I’ll sleep on the couch, and you can have the bed.”
She knew he was right. Still, she felt a little intrusive. Refusing his hospitality at least once would make her feel better.
“I have monopolized your whole day. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” And as these words left her mouth, Camille couldn’t help but think about how badly she wanted to stay. She really, really wanted to stay.
“I wouldn’t insist if I didn’t mean it.” More than his words, Ross’s eyes told his story.
Camille stood there for a moment, and she knew what she wanted. She just didn’t trust herself.
But would that be so bad?
It was time to throw caution to the wind.
“Okay, but please let me sleep on the couch.”
“No way. You’re my guest,” Ross countered.
“Why are we even worried about this right now? I’m getting us another beer because we haven’t gone over all the stuff you went into town to get.
Let’s get back to work.” Ross had newfound energy knowing he would be in Camille’s company even longer. “You in?”
Camille was definitely in.
“Sure,” she answered, and she couldn’t help but wonder where this was all going.
The rest of the night, Ross and Camille read through all of the newspaper articles Camille had run off about the case.
Camille wanted Ross to mark anything reported that wasn’t true.
Those newspaper articles were a big reason the whole town turned against Ross.
It was unfortunate that inaccurate information leaked out to the public.
The police didn’t usually disclose such information, fearing it might jeopardize getting a conviction, and in this case, that seemed to be true.
Looking at the articles Ross had already marked, Camille noticed something.
“In an article by Sam Jenkins, a reporter for the Camdenton Star, it states that a witness came forward and reported seeing a black truck at the scene of the crime. Did the police ever question you about your truck being out on Snakepit Road?” Camille asked.
“No, never,” Ross replied. “But I remember people talking about how it had to be my truck.”
Ross could see Camille was in deep thought. “What are you thinking?” he asked.
“My witness reported that a man in a red truck saw him as he walked back out of the field, and I’m thinking a big, red truck would be hard to forget.
Once they found Kelcee’s body, the man in the red truck might have panicked, thinking now there was a witness who could identify his vehicle.
He would want to somehow divert attention from himself and onto another target.
Maybe he reported seeing a black truck at the scene or at least started the rumor.
And reporting that the truck was black doesn’t only let him off the hook; it’s another piece of evidence against you.
” Camille was connecting all the dots, but her next connection might sting a little.
“And we’ve already visited the reason why you were the chosen fall guy. ”
But Ross was immersed in the facts, and the truth no longer hurt him.
Instead, it seemed to empower him and make him stronger.
“And since the real witness didn’t come forward, the false information incriminated me further,” Ross said, finishing Camille’s idea.
“Exactly,” Camille responded. “Looks like I need to track down Sam Jenkins and find out where he got his leads.”
By the time they finished digging through the old articles, it was late, and other than the information regarding the black truck, neither thought there was anything else of much importance.
“I’m gonna get some shut eye,” Ross said, clearing the beer cans from the table. “Are you going to look for that reporter tomorrow?” “Yeah, Camdenton isn’t far, is it?”
“No, we went through it on the way to Lebanon,” Ross said, disappearing into the bedroom for a moment.
“That’s what I thought.”
When Ross returned, he had a t-shirt in his hand.
“Here,” he said. “I mean, if you wanted to have something other than your clothes to sleep in.”
Camille thought his shyness was cute, and she appreciated his thoughtfulness. Now, the thought of wearing his shirt and sleeping in his bed was hitting Camille like a Mack truck, and she had to push those feelings aside to respond.
“Thanks.”
“If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Camille smiled. Anything I need, Ross? Well … goodnight kiss? Half-naked cuddles on the couch? Those strong hands all over me? Camille shook her head to end those thoughts. “Thanks again.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Ross began. “I really do appreciate your help. I mean, I know you wouldn’t have to do any of this. But I’m glad you are.” And as he spoke, Camille got chills listening to his sincere, deep voice full of gratitude.
Damn, boy! You get me with those eyes and that sincerity. “I’m happy to do it,” she replied, and there was one last fiery moment between them as they stood there, staring at one another. Finally, Camille spoke and broke their gaze. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Camille disappeared into the other room. There wasn’t a door separating the two rooms, and Ross was on edge, thinking about her undressing and slipping into his t-shirt and under his covers.
Damn! What is it about that girl, Ross? What’s so intriguing?
As he lay there, staring at the ceiling, Ross realized he had a very practical answer to that question.
I know what it is. You haven’t been laid for nearly six months, and a beautiful woman is lying in your bed wearing your t-shirt. UGH!
But Ross knew it was more than that, and as much as he wanted to walk right in there and make love to her, he lay there on the couch with his arms folded under his head, fighting all the urges Camille Hargrove aroused.