Chapter 54
Curious neighbors gawked as we perp-walked Judy to the curb and stuffed her into a patrol car that arrived after Jack had called dispatch.
Mendoza drove her to the station where she’d be processed and printed.
We were still stunned by the revelation. We'd seen a lot of crazy things in this town, but a woman who killed her father and her daughter in the same evening was incomprehensible. She had confessed that she staged the scene and dragged Sydney into the bathroom.
Judy cried because she got caught. Sure, the weight of it was overwhelming and grew heavier every day. But it was the prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison that mortified her. I didn't think this was something she could buy her way out of. Not now. She would have nothing.
Judy agreed to testify against Bryce as her co-conspirator, altering the trust document. She didn't want to go down alone, but Bryce maintained his innocence. Bryce said he was merely acting on Preston’s behalf. It was Judy’s word against his, and neither had the highest credibility at the moment.
After we filled out paperwork at the station, we returned to the Avventura. Jack slipped behind the bar and poured drinks to unwind.
It had been a hell of an investigation, and we were both pretty traumatized by it. This one had gotten personal, and it would take a little while to shake off. I kept thinking about Shane and Riley. I tried to remember the good things about my friend.
Jack lifted his glass, and we toasted to another case in the books.
The guys in the band called and wanted us to meet them at Tide Pool. I wasn’t in the mood for much excitement, but I figured getting into a different headspace was a good idea.
We were about to head to the bar when the sheriff called. “I need you two nitwits to get your asses over here."
"What's the matter now?”