Murder Deja Vu

“Your dear brother.”
    The tone of Steve’s voice triggered gooseflesh on Reece’s arms. “What―what about Carl?”
    “Man, you must have been brain dead back then. Carl had the hots for Karen. He denied it, but the night Karen clued me in that I wasn’t into women, I saw Carl going into her apartment when I was leaving. You didn’t know?”
    Reece’s mouth went dry; words wouldn’t formulate. “Not―not until yesterday when Carl told me. He said if it came out at trial it would have given the prosecution more ammunition for jealousy. Reece Daughtry knew his brother screwed her too, kind of thing.”
    “That’s what I thought too, which is why I didn’t say anything. Maybe I should have. But frankly, I thought the killer was probably another of Karen’s conquests. Unfortunately, your lawyer couldn’t come up with anyone. Still, Carl was sleazy not to come clean, at least to you. But that was between the two of you.”
    “Could Jordan have been hooked on her too?”
    “Jordan wasn’t the type to lose it over a woman, but if he suspected I was gay, he might not have confided in me.”
    Reece searched out over the water, at the fishing boats and sailboats moored nearby and a few on the horizon skimming the surface. “I wasn’t the type either.”
    Reece caught Steve’s sideways glance. “I didn’t know you well, Reece. I figured you were getting all you could, while you could.”
    “I never thought like that. But that’s ancient history, isn’t it? Right now, I’m only concerned with the present and with who’s framing me again.”
    Steve shook his head and looked out the passenger-side window. Any place but at Reece. “Jesus, Reece. I’m sorry.”
    “I need Jordan’s address. Do you have it?”
    “Yeah, but I have to go into the office to get it.”
    “Before we head back, I need to make a call. See what’s going on at my safe house.” Reece laughed. “Can you believe this? Safe house, safe phones. Jesus. I’ve turned into an accomplished fugitive.”
    “You do what you have to do. I’ll wait outside.”
    But Reece didn’t call Frank’s. He called Clarence’s number. He had debated whether to call at all so Clarence couldn’t talk him out of what he was doing.
    The investigator answered. “Are you on a safe phone?”
    “Yes. Are you?”
    “Always.” Both men told the other what he’d learned.
    “I’ve just arrived back in Boston. I have an idea. A hole in the case, maybe. I’ll cover the last man. Go back to wherever you’re staying and wait for a call.”
    “I understand. But first, I’m going to make one more stop.”
    “Where?”
    “I’ll call you later. Promise. I want this over with, Clarence. I want my life back.”
    “That’s what I’m trying to get for you. Stay out of sight and don’t fucking get caught.”
    “I won’t.” Reece flipped the phone shut, wondering if his certainty that he wouldn’t get caught was nothing more than bravado. Could he elude the police for another hour let alone the rest of the day?
    “Forget Jordan’s address, Steve. My lawyer’s investigator is on to something and told me to stay away. He’s as good as they get.” Reece pulled out of the club’s parking lot and drove back to Steve’s clinic.
    “Let me out here,” Steve said before Reece pulled into the lot. “Take care, Reece. I hope it all works out for you.”
    “Thanks. And thanks for not calling the police.”
    Steve Yarrow patted Reece’s shoulder. “I couldn’t help overhear. Where are you going?”
    Reece had said enough and decided to be as cryptic as possible. “I’m going get rid of some old anger, once and for all.”

Chapter Thirty-Six
Going Back in Time

    O n his flight home, Clarence had read the transcripts of Reece’s trial for what seemed the hundredth time. Jeri did all she could, but with media attention focused on Reece, and pressure to close the case, he could see how the quiet architect took the fall. Witnesses described Reece as studious, polite, and serious, not possessing characteristics of a violent killer. Then the prosecution cited half a dozen cases where neighbors and co-workers referred to men who’d committed heinous crimes in exactly those terms. The fact that Reece couldn’t remember anything did little to help his cause.
    The motive had to be personal. Something that transpired between the Sitton woman and her killer that never came out at trial. Clarence zeroed in on the witness who’d alibied Jordan