Buried Bones (Widow's Island Novella) by Melinda Leigh

Author:Melinda Leigh [Leigh, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

5

Sitting behind the steering wheel, Tessa turned to her dashboard computer to open the email Bruce had sent detailing Earl’s criminal history. She scrolled through the information. “Earl has lived on Widow’s for six years. Eleven years ago, he was living in western Washington State, where he was convicted of rape. He served three years in prison before he was paroled. It looks like he moved here after his parole period ended.”

“Lucky us,” Logan said from the passenger seat.

“The sheriff’s department would have been notified, but that was before my time.” Tessa checked his motor vehicle records. No tickets. Earl’s address matched the one he’d given them. A white F-150 was registered to him. “It seems like he’s stayed out of legal trouble since then. Let’s go talk to him again.” Tessa drove back to the office of the Seaside Cottage Resort. “Bruce is requesting more information from the investigating officer.”

Tessa led the way inside. Earl was alone, bent over the computer behind the registration desk. He looked up and scanned their faces. Sweat broke out on his forehead.

Tessa strolled to the counter. “Hey, Earl.”

Logan stepped up next to Tessa. His posture was rigid, and his anger palpable.

Earl’s gaze paused on Logan. Earl straightened, swallowed, and took a step backward, the retreat seeming unconscious. “What?”

Tessa tapped a hand on the counter. “So we know about the rape conviction.”

Earl flushed. “That was bullshit. I didn’t rape anyone.” But despite his denial, his hands were shaking. He shoved them into his pockets.

“How so?” Tessa asked, trying to keep her voice neutral. As much as sex offenders disgusted her, she wanted him to talk. If he grew uncooperative, she’d take him to the station for formal questioning. But she’d found people were more forthcoming with information in their own space, where they felt more comfortable. She could always increase the pressure, but once it was applied, it would be nearly impossible to make Earl relax again. The last thing she wanted was for him to lawyer up.

Earl lifted his chin, and his jaw jutted. “I went out on a date. We had a great time, but we both drank too much. We went back to her place, and I spent the night. I woke up the next morning to her screaming that I raped her, that she didn’t give consent, which was a total lie. She wasn’t unconscious, and she acted willing enough. How was I supposed to know she wouldn’t remember being horny? Hell, I was hammered too. I don’t remember the whole night either.”

“But you were convicted,” Tessa pointed out.

“She was real convincing.” Earl’s voice turned bitter.

“And you went to prison.” Tessa nodded. She doubted his innocence, but her opinion was irrelevant. Her current goal was to find out who had killed Aurora Franklin. If sounding as if she commiserated with Earl would make him more talkative, then so be it.

Earl didn’t respond. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, as if agitated.

“You seem angry.” Logan’s voice sounded tight but controlled.

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