Chapter Six
White Cottage
Scenic Drive
Rory stopped to have a last look at the cottage before getting back into the car.
The hurt swelled inside her all over again.
How was it possible that the tragedy of that night had been over two years ago and the truth about who killed her husband still had not been found?
Was no one doing their job in all this time?
“Rory.”
She looked across the hood at Chance who had spoken just as a car door slammed. Her attention swung to the street, as did his.
The ostentatious sedan that sat on the otherwise empty street was one Rory recognized well. But it was the woman who had emerged from the vehicle that sent dread spreading through her.
Eudora Harris. Pete’s mother.
Blond hair expertly twisted into a bun, form-fitting peach-colored sheath showing off her youthful figure, Eudora stood at the end of the driveway, effectively blocking their path.
“How dare you come here,” the woman snarled as she took a few steps in their direction. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Hello, Eudora.” Rory braced for her former mother-in-law’s anger. This would not be pleasant. Not that she blamed the woman. She thought Rory killed her son—her only child. Of course she would spew vitriol at the sight of her. Still, Rory had other reasons to despise the woman.
Eudora glanced at Chance then. “I heard you had hired some private detective to try and confirm your lies.” Her attention swung back to Rory, her face twisted with fury and hatred.
“Why waste your time? You know what you did. We all know what you did. You’re wasting your time and the taxpayers’ dollars by resurrecting this investigation.
Scottsboro doesn’t need to see a rehash of that nightmare.
I—” she slapped a hand against her chest “—do not want you or your minion here.”
Rory wished there had been a time when she felt something for this woman, but Eudora had made sure that never happened.
She had disliked Rory from the beginning.
The only thing they ever shared was love for Pete.
Well, and grief after his death. This behavior from her was not surprising.
Rory had expected Pete’s parents to still hate her, maybe even more than ever after the conviction was overturned.
“My agency rented this cottage for the week, Mrs. Harris,” Chance said.
His words had no effect on the woman. She remained standing at the end of the driveway, arms crossed over her chest, and staring at Rory.
“You need to leave this town,” she warned.
“You are not welcome here. Whatever you believe you can prove with your lies is never going to happen. You will go back to prison where you belong.”
Anger kindled deep in Rory’s belly despite her best attempts to tamp it down.
She stepped away from the car. Started toward the older woman.
She didn’t look back, but she sensed Chance had followed her.
“I’m sorry you lost your son,” Rory told her.
“But I lost my husband. You should be glad the police are looking into the investigation again, because the persons who killed him got away with it. Don’t you care that they’re out there, living their lives as if they did nothing wrong? ”
Eudora laughed. “There you go again, trying to pretend innocence. You killed him.” Her gaze narrowed; her face hardened. “And whatever it takes for however long it takes, I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison.”
With that, she did an about-face and stormed back to her extravagant car. She climbed in and sped away.
“So that was the matriarch of the family,” Chance said as her car faded in the distance.
“That was her.” Rory felt suddenly tired. “She hated me from day one. She and her husband were certain Pete was too good for me. I had no business intruding in his life. But the truth was, he intruded in mine.”
Chance put his hand at the small of her back and ushered her to the passenger side of his rental car. “How so?”
Rory reached for the door handle but hesitated before opening it.
She smiled. “He saw me at the school. He had attended Caldwell as a kid. He and his family are big donors to the schools. He served as the MC at one of our staff events. From that night until the night he was murdered, he saw me or called me every day. Every single day.” She gave her head a shake.
“I tried to ignore him at first. I was dating someone else, and in truth, I could not imagine what a Harris would want to do with me. He was the most eligible bachelor in the county. He could have anyone he wanted.”
Chance leaned against the car, his eyes searching hers. “But he wanted you.”
She laughed softly. “Apparently. And there was something about him…something that I couldn’t resist. So I decided to see where things went. You know the rest.”
Rory opened the door and got into the car. Chance readied to close it but paused. “You do not give yourself nearly enough credit, Aurora Harris.”
She laughed, a weary sound. “Thanks.”
He closed the door and rounded the hood.
Though she appreciated the compliment, it was difficult to feel good about herself anymore.
There was a time when she was proud of her work, proud of what she had accomplished.
But all that ended on her wedding night.
Add all those nights in prison and she felt worthless most of the time.
She was reasonably confident she would never look at herself with any sort of pride again.
Not here for sure. As Eudora said, Rory could never have a life here again.
To pretend otherwise was foolish. Didn’t matter anyway.
If the detective and the district attorney had their way, she would be going back to prison.
She imagined the Harrises were donating heavily to the cause.
Rory thought of the friends of Pete’s who had broken her window.
And the other two who had vandalized her home.
They all thought she was a murderer. Of course they didn’t want her back in town.
She could just imagine what today’s headlines would look like.
Some hungry reporter would have heard about her return already.
No matter. Rory was back in Scottsboro. Whether she stayed was irrelevant. The one thing that mattered was finding the truth and making sure the persons who murdered her husband were brought to justice.
She glanced at the man who settled behind the steering wheel.
He would help make that happen. If she’d had any doubt whatsoever, she had none now.
Just this morning, he had helped her to see several holes in the first investigation.
Whether the detective was incompetent or had some other agenda, he had ignored those details.
There would be no ignoring them now.
Kindred Residence
Tupelo Pike
Scottsboro, 11:30 a.m.
Rory had called her attorney’s office on the way back from the cottage.
She was supposed to call the attorney as soon as she was settled but she’d been a little preoccupied.
She left a message with his secretary along with her new number.
Hopefully he would call soon. She had a good amount to share with him already.
As Chance slowed to turn into her driveway, Rory leaned forward. Where were all the red splotches?
“Do you recognize that truck?” Chance asked.
Her gaze shifted from the house to the driveway.
The tan-colored truck parked there was not one she recognized.
Squinting her eyes, she studied the driver.
Male. Dark hair. Cut short. His back was turned, so she couldn’t see his face.
He wore jeans and a checked shirt. He stood in her front yard, coiling up a water hose.
She and Chance had just stopped by the hardware store and picked up a hose and a long-handled scrub brush.
Apparently they weren’t going to need either now.
The man standing in her yard turned as gravel crunched under their tires.
Shane. Rory drew back, glanced at the driver. “It’s Shane Carter. He’s the deputy who stopped by yesterday right after I arrived. He’s Pete’s cousin.”
“Looks like he did our work for us.” Chance shut off the engine.
Shane waved, and Rory reached for her door. Maybe there was one person in this town who didn’t hate her. “I’m grateful. After that run-in with Pete’s mom, it’s nice to have someone at least act like a friend.”
Chance agreed, “A helping hand is always appreciated.”
They emerged from the vehicle. Chance tagged along behind her since Shane was someone she knew. Rory worked up a smile for the man. “Wow. That was sure a nice surprise to come home to.”
Shane shook his head. “It’s a disgrace. I heard about it at the station early this morning. I came by, but you were gone.” He shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t mind me taking care of the mess.” His attention settled on Chance then. He gave him a nod of acknowledgment.
“I’m sorry.” Rory gestured to the man now standing at her side. “This is Chance Rader. He’s a private investigator helping me in my search for the truth.”
“Good to meet you.” Shane extended his hand.
Chance gave his hand a shake. “Same.” He glanced at the house. “It was good of you to take care of this.”
“No problem, man, really.” Shane’s expression turned somber. “It’s a damned shame you have to go through this again, Rory. I want you to know I’m doing all I can to help. I’m asking questions and digging around. If I find or learn anything, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Rory would never find the right words to adequately articulate how much she appreciated the effort. “We can use all the help we can get. I think you’re the only person in the county who believes me.”
“Anyone who really knows you,” Shane countered, “should know you couldn’t possibly have hurt Pete. It’s bull.”