Blood Will Tell by Paul Bailey

Author:Paul Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2023-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

23

Carl and brandon greeted each other warily as Paige introduced them. Brandon sat while Carl stood behind a chair, obviously on edge.

“Carl,” Paige began, “Leo suggested several times that you take what he gathered in regard to DNA evidence to a private investigator. As I told you on the phone, Brandon is a detective, and he’s willing to look into the murders of those women in the park.”

“I’m also Leo’s son,” Brandon added quickly, “so my number one priority is finding his killer. Paige thinks the two things are connected, so hopefully we can solve both of our problems.”

“I’m really sorry about Leo.” Carl stared at Brandon. “I didn’t kill him.”

“Did Leo call you the night he was murdered?” Paige asked.

“No, I was hoping he would, but I guess he didn’t get the chance. Do you have the results of the analysis?”

“Yes, I was just reading them. The DNA taken from inside the closet came back essentially the same, except the relationship to you could be closer than a cousin,” Paige replied.

Carl looked at her with a mixture of indignation and bewilderment. “So, now you’re suggesting the killer could be one of my uncles or aunts.”

Paige settled back in her chair and calmly replied, “Not an aunt. The DNA in the closet was male. I’m saying the newest sample includes more people than just your cousin, and Brandon can’t stay in Chicago indefinitely. I think you should take what we’ve learned to a private investigator. I could recommend one for you, but he’s currently in Arkansas.”

“She’s also saying, but not actually saying, that these results didn’t exclude you from the murders, and that they aren’t going to help your case against the state,” Brandon said. “Are you sure Leo didn’t call you before his murder or leave a message?”

“I told you he didn’t call, and I didn’t kill Leo!” Carl yelled, glaring at Brandon. “You think Leo called me, told me the results, and then I went over and killed him? I had no reason to kill him. He was the only one who believed me, except for Dr. Decker.” Carl nodded at her. “Those results don’t change a thing. They still say it was my DNA on the body. Fine, I touched her, but I didn’t kill her. They also say I was in that closet, and I know I wasn’t—at least not that day.”

“You mentioned aunts,” Paige said, leading the conversation to safer ground. “Leo told me when he first met you that you don’t know where your Aunt Maggie is.”

“I still don’t. Neither my dad nor Uncle Doug have heard from her since she left years ago. I did learn that she had a baby before she left. It was put up for adoption.”

“Boy or girl?” Brandon asked.

“I don’t know.” Carl finally took a seat. “I don’t think Doug knows, but my dad does, because he handled the adoption. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to him about the baby. Do you think Peter Williams could be the name of my Aunt Maggie’s child?”

“That’s a possibility,” Paige said.

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