Betrayed (10 page)

Chapter Twelve

The four flat screen televisions inside the clubhouse were all tuned to the news. The police captain had a press conference regarding the arrest of Mr. Patrick MacGregor for the murder of Amy Taylor. Recovered evidence provided a trail to MacGregor, although the police weren’t disclosing the proof at this time.

Justin and Connor busted into the clubhouse just as the press conference was ending.

“What did they say?” Justin asked as he put an arm around Ginger.

Merlin told him as much as they knew. “They’re saying they have evidence, not sure if it’s circumstantial or what.”

“I wonder if it’s something from his work computer,” Trick said as he took a swallow of his beer. “Last we heard they got a warrant for his office.”

“Could be,” Justin agreed. “I’m going down to the police station and see if I can find out more.”

“I want to go with you,” Ginger offered. She didn’t want Justin in the same place as MacGregor, but she knew she couldn’t stop him either. At least she could be a buffer.

“Where’s Aaron? Does he know about this yet?” Justin asked as he and Ginger headed towards the door.

“He’s in school, but with these kids and their cell phones, he’ll likely know soon,” Merlin replied.

“I’ll call the school on the way to the police station, and you go pick him up,” Justin said.

“Will do,” Merlin said pulling on his coat.

Ginger got on the back of Justin’s bike and pulled on her helmet. She loved riding with him, feeling the wind in her face and how his body melded into hers. But as she put her arms around his waist she could tell how tense he was. Ginger hoped this was the beginning of the end of this tragic part of their lives.

Once they arrived, Justin was in a hurry to get inside the police department. Ginger ran to keep up with him. They walked over to the front desk, and Justin asked to speak to the detective in charge of the Amy Taylor case.

“I’m her brother, and I want to speak to him about the arrest.”

“Hold on one moment,” the man behind the front desk said as he clicked a few numbers on the phone residing on his desk. Once he hung up he said, “Take a seat over there, and Detective Winters will be right out.”

Ginger and Justin sat in the old tattered chairs that lined the wall across from the front desk. Ginger could tell Justin was nervous as he wrung his hands.

“What do you want to find out?” Ginger asked. “What evidence they have?”

“I’d like to know what pushed them to arrest him. I mean, what did they find out that tipped them in his direction?”

At that moment a man in his forties with black hair and grey at the temples walked out and extended his hand to Justin.

“Hello, I’m Detective Winters. You are Amy Taylor’s brother?”

“Yes sir, Justin Taylor, and this is Ginger Lawrence. I’d like to talk to you about the case.”

“Sure, let’s go to my office.”

Ginger and Justin followed Detective Winters to a small office in the rear of the police station. His desk was covered with papers and files, and Winters attempted to make some order out of the mess while gesturing to Ginger and Justin to sit down in the two chairs facing his desk.

“I guess you saw the press conference on the news,” Winters said as he sat down in his chair.

“Actually we missed it, but we heard about it. That’s why I wanted to see you. What evidence did you get on MacGregor?”

“I can’t reveal exactly what we have and it is circumstantial evidence, but I can tell you it came from correspondence on his work computer between your sister and MacGregor.”

“You mean something was said between the two that led you to believe he would kill her?” Ginger asked.

“Yes. The emails between him and Amy are very incriminating. Like I said, I can’t tell you what the emails said, only that they led us to his arrest.”

“I wonder why he didn’t get rid of the emails,” Justin wondered out loud.

“Oh, he tried, but he’s not very computer savvy. I guess he thought transferring them to the trash would empty them out of the computer. Right now we have forensics going over his computer hard drive for anymore incriminating evidence.”

“Okay,” Justin said while standing up. “I don’t want to take up anymore of your time. Thank you for finding her killer. Maybe we can find some peace now.” Justin reached out to shake Winters’ hand again.

“We weren’t going to stop until we did. I hope it provides some comfort to your family.”

Justin and Ginger walked out of the police station and headed towards the Harley.

“Would you mind taking a ride?” Justin asked as he mounted the bike.

“Not at all,” Ginger answered as she slid on her helmet.

Justin took off for the Paint Creek State Forestry.

*****

Merlin picked up Aaron and brought him back to the clubhouse. He told him about the arrest on the way. When they arrived Lily and some of the other old ladies were preparing batches of lasagna for the evening meal. Aaron walked back to the kitchen to munch on some carrots.

“I guess you heard the news,” Lily said to Aaron as she wiped her hands on the black apron she was wearing.

“Yeah, Merlin told me on the way here.”

“How do you feel about it?”

“Okay, I guess. I’m glad they got him. I still don’t understand why he killed my Mom.”

Lily walked over and ran her hand over Aaron’s thick hair. “I don’t know either hon, but at least they got him.” Aaron nodded his head and went back to noshing on the carrots.

Connor walked into the kitchen. He motioned Lily to come over.
 

“Where’s Justin?”

“He and Ginger went to the police station.”

“What for?”

“He wanted to find out what evidence they had on MacGregor.”

“They probably won’t tell him anything.”

“He wanted to see if they would anyway. He might find out something.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Connor said with a frown.

“What’s bugging you?” Lily asked as she pulled off her apron. “I thought you’d be happy they arrested someone.”

“I am,” Connor replied still frowning, his mind a million miles away.

Lily looked at him strange, and then walked off to check the drinks for the evening meal.

*****

A few days after Amy was discovered in the Forestry, Justin asked the police where the car with Amy’s body was found. The police gave him the directions after they released the scene, but he never visited. But today he wanted to see it. He asked them not to make it publicly known that the site had been released yet so he and his family could visit the place where Amy was found before it was disturbed by curiosity seekers and hunters. The police agreed.

He knew it wasn’t the last place she was alive, but her body remained there for several days before anyone found her. He felt drawn to the place today, and he hoped Ginger understood.

Ginger did understand. Many times she visited the scene of the accident where her parents died. Some people might think it morbid, but she never did. Yes it was where her parent’s left this earth, but she felt strangely at peace there. Someone erected a small cross with her parent’s names on it right at the spot. Some of her friends thought she did it, but she hadn’t. She supposed it was a friendly person who thought it was a nice gesture, and it was. Possibly Justin might want to do the same for Amy at the Forestry. She didn’t know. All she knew was she would support him in any way possible.

They exited the roadway and drove on a trail farther back into the wooded area until they could ride no farther. They traveled the rest of the way on foot. Justin had a paper in which he had written down the instructions to the site. They found it without any difficulty. The tire tracks from all the forensic vehicles provided a pointer to the site.

They stood looking around, listening to the sounds of nature. Squirrels yacked and scurried across the leaves. Birds chirped and scampered over the ground looking for seeds or worms. It was peaceful, and for that Justin was grateful.

“Amy always did like the Forestry. She loved to come and camp here with Aaron. I’d help her pitch a tent, and we’d sit around the campfire with Red and some of the other members like Merlin and roast hotdogs and marshmallows and tell bullshit stories.”

“Sounds like fun,” Ginger said as she put her arm around him.

He pulled her close and said, “It was. Even knowing my Dad buried my Mom out here fills me with some closure. Does that sound strange?”

Ginger shook her head. “No, not at all.”

They walked around the area taking in the serene surroundings. Ginger could tell it was helping him; He seemed more relaxed, more at peace with himself, until something caught his eye.

Over in the distance, approximately 10 yards away, something stood out that didn’t look to belong in the wooded area. Justin walked towards the item that caught his attention. When he got to it he noticed there were several of them scattered about. They were cigarette butts, but not just any type of cigarettes. The butts were blue – he’d seen these cigarettes before. Justin’s heart began to race.

Ginger walked over to Justin who was stooped down looking at the blue cigarette butts.

“What is it?” She asked bending over to look at what had Justin so mesmerized.

Justin pulled a handkerchief from the back pocket of his jeans. He scooped the butts into the handkerchief, being careful not to touch them.

“Those are the strangest looking cigarette butts,” Ginger said. “Oh wait, Connor smokes the…” Her words trailed off as comprehension sunk in. Her hand flew to her mouth.

“No!” she gasped.

Justin stood up holding the handkerchief with the cigarette butts in his hand.

“Surely someone else smokes this brand besides Connor. And why didn’t the police find them here? Or maybe Connor came out here after the police released it.” Ginger was trying in vain to come up with answers.

Justin looked defeated. He held onto anger for so long that now he only felt tired. The realization spread through his mind like an ocean wave, but he couldn’t muster anger or even grief. All he could feel was a weariness that settled deep into his bones. His legs became weak, but before he could fall Ginger grabbed him around the waist. They stood, holding one another, not speaking for several minutes. Finally their embrace broke and Justin stood up straight. Ginger was his rock. Even with his world collapsing around him, she was there to prop him up. He knew with her by his side he could face anything.

He looked down at her face and kissed her. Then they headed back to the motorcycle arm in arm. Once back to the bike Justin said, “Connor never came up here after the police released the crime scene.”

“How do you know that?” Ginger asked as she put on her helmet.

“Because when I got the directions from the police I asked them not to tell people that the scene had been released or to give directions out to anyone else. I wanted to leave Amy’s resting place in peace and didn’t want curiosity seekers coming up here. Connor wouldn’t come within ten miles of this place if he thought there was a chance that a deputy would come by and catch him snooping around.”

“But why wouldn’t the police find the cigarette butts when they were here analyzing the crime scene. And even more importantly, why would Connor leave them in the first place?”

“I’m not sure why the police didn’t find them, except the butts had blown quite a ways from the crime scene. Maybe they were too focused on the car and didn’t inspect too far away from the area. As far as Connor leaving the butts…I think he thought he’d be coming back out here to finish torching the car and he’d get rid of any evidence then, but the hunter found it before he could. I don’t think he counted on that. I also remember the day Amy went missing it was windy and cold, which would help blow the butts down the holler. There was a light snow the next day too.”

“Yes, I remember that windy day as well. It was the day I met you,” Ginger said with a bittersweet smile.

Justin put his hand on her cheek. “Yes, it was.”

“One more thing, though,” Ginger said. “What about the incriminating evidence they found on MacGregor’s computer?”

“I have a feeling Connor was actually able to hack into Macgregor’s computer after all and plant evidence on his hard drive. I thought it strange when he said he failed. I knew how good he was at hacking into computers, and it should have sent up a red flag, but I guess I was too….” His words trailed off and he just shrugged.

“I know, baby,” Ginger answered. “Let’s get these cigarette butts to the police station. I don’t want a man to remain locked up if he’s innocent.”

She jumped on the back of Justin’s bike, and they rode down the trail until they hit the main Forestry road headed for the police department.

Chapter Thirteen

As Justin and Ginger entered the police department, Detective Winters was on the phone at the front desk. When he saw them he motioned them over to him. Once he finished his phone call he turned to them and said, “You’ve probably heard the news by now and are wondering what’s going on.”

“No,” Justin remarked. “We’ve been at the Forestry and then came straight here. I can’t hear my phone on the bike.”

Justin had forgotten to look at his phone once they arrived at the police station, and he couldn’t get a signal out at the Forestry. He looked at it now and noticed 7 messages.

He looked at Detective Winters and asked, “What’s going on?”

“We’ve released MacGregor.”

“Why?” Justin asked already knowing the answer.

“The forensics team went over the hard drive. It seems his work computer was hacked, and the incriminating evidence was deposited onto the hard drive by someone else just days ago.”

“How can they tell?” Ginger asked.

“I don’t know,” Detective Winters sighed. “They have their ways of figuring it out. But it looks like someone planted evidence to make it look like MacGregor murdered your sister.”

Justin thought,
so you’re not as good as you use to be Connor.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Taylor. I wish we had better news for you.”

“I have something for you,” Justin said as he pulled out the handkerchief containing the cigarette butts.

“What’s this?” Detective Winters asked as he took possession of the handkerchief and opened it gingerly.

Justin told Detective Winters of his and Ginger’s journey to the crime scene in the Forestry. He explained finding the unusual cigarette butts and that only one person he knew of smoked this particular brand, and that this person was also pretty good when it came to hacking into computers. Also, this person claimed the tobacco shop imported these Italian cigarettes only for him.

“That shouldn’t be too difficult to find out if he’s the only one purchasing them. I’ll send an officer over to the shop right away. I’m going to have these butts analyzed as top priority as well. Hopefully there’s some useful DNA on them. If he was arrested before, his DNA will be in the database.”

Detective Winters thanked Justin and Ginger for bringing the evidence to him. He also advised them against seeing Connor. That was going to be difficult since Justin wanted to get Aaron and Lily far away from him.

After leaving the station Justin told Ginger, “I’ve got to get Aaron out of Connor‘s house. That shouldn’t be difficult, but Lily’s a different story. I don’t want to leave either of them with a killer.”

Ginger’s blood ran cold. “Maybe I can get Lily to go with me. She’s wanted me to look at some linens for the wedding reception. My God! Poor Lily…she has no idea. Why would he do this, Justin? She was like a sister to him!”

“There was some trouble between them as I remember,” Justin replied. “Lily told me she was upset with Amy for telling her to delay the wedding. I didn’t know what was going on and wasn’t about to get into the middle of a cat fight so I brushed it off.”

“Lily told me the same thing,” Ginger stated. “She was upset that the last conversation they had was a fight over Connor. Do you think this was the reason? That he killed her because she was trying to turn Lily against him?”

“I don’t know what goes on in a twisted mind,” Justin said as his anger increased. “All I know is I need to keep Lily, Aaron and my club safe.”

*****

Justin and Ginger arrived at Lily and Connor’s house just as they were finishing dinner. Justin had dropped Ginger by the condo so she could get her car, then she followed him to Lily and Connor’s. Lily was stacking the dishwasher as Aaron brought her the dishes from the kitchen table. Connor had retired to the living room.

“Aaron, you ready to go?” Justin asked as soon as he and Ginger walked in the door.

“Wow, so soon. Wouldn’t you like to sit and visit a while?” Lily asked.

Justin looked at Ginger who said, “Well, I wanted to see if you’d like to go look at those linens tonight.”

“Oh, I don’t know Ginger…I’m kind of tired tonight.”

“It’s just that I’m going to be busy the rest of the week, and tonight would work out the best for me,” Ginger replied, attempting to coax her into leaving.

“Okay…I can go then. I really want your opinion on those linens and the cloth napkins too. Let me get my purse. Justin, Connor’s in the living room if you want to say hello.”

“That’s okay, Lily. Aaron and I need to get going,” Justin said as he put an arm around Aaron’s shoulder to pull him towards the door. At that moment Connor walked into the kitchen.

“Hey, bud. Why you leaving so fast…come in and have a sit with me,” Connor said motioning towards the living room. Justin could see the top of the cigarette pack in his shirt pocket. It was all he could do to keep from ripping his throat out.

“No, I need to get Aaron home,” Justin said trying to keep his composure. Ginger could tell he was struggling and hoped Lily would hurry. Justin practically pushed Aaron out the door as he grabbed his jacket. “Thanks for taking care of him,” Justin said as he scooted out the door. “Ginger, come here I need to tell you something before you leave.”

Ginger followed him out the door. Justin motioned her over to the car, out of Aaron‘s earshot.

“You know what to do right?” Justin asked her.

“Yes,” Ginger said her heart pounding.

“I love you baby,” Justin said kissing her mouth gently.

“I love you too.”

At that moment Lily walked out the door and headed for Ginger’s car. “Let’s go,” Ginger said to Lily as Justin and Aaron took off on the bike.

******

Justin and Aaron pulled up at the clubhouse. Justin called the WWMC in for a church meeting, telling them it was urgent. He made the calls prior to visiting Lily and Connor’s home so all of them were waiting when Justin and Aaron arrived. Justin told Aaron to go play pinball in the bar area, which was empty today, while they had their meeting. Aaron shuffled off as Justin threw his leather cut onto the bar.

“Is this about the police letting that fucker MacGregor go?” Trick asked as he walked up to Justin.

“No,” Justin said. “Well, it’s part of it. I’ll explain in the meeting.”

“You want to start now?” Trick asked. “Everyone’s here but Connor.”

“We’re starting without him,” Justin said as he walked to the meeting room.

Trick shrugged his shoulders and yelled to the group the meeting was starting.

Ginger drove Lily to the linen shop so she could show her the different designs. She felt bad for Lily. She was so excited about this upcoming wedding. Ginger didn’t like lying to Lily, but there was no other choice. She had to play this game until it was time for Justin to tell her the truth about Connor. Once they were finished and Lily had picked out her table linens and cloth napkins for the reception they climbed into Ginger’s car.

“Oh, Lily, would you mind if we stopped by the clubhouse on the way to your house? I left my blue sweater there and I’d like to wear it to work tomorrow.”

“Sure, no problem. I’m just glad we had the chance to go pick out my linens. I can’t wait for this wedding to happen.”

Lily was so happy, like any bride to be should be. But Ginger knew that the awful truth yet to be revealed would destroy her.

Before he could start the meeting Justin received a phone call from Detective Winters.

“Hold on guys, I’ve got to take this call,” Justin said as he exited the meeting room.

“Justin, I wanted to get back with you as soon as possible on the cigarette butts. I watched myself as the lab analyzed them. Unfortunately there’s no useable DNA on them. Likely washed away by the rain. I’m sorry.”

“Can’t you get him on being the one person in town that smokes these fucking blue Italian cigarettes?”

“I talked to the DA while the lab was performing the analysis on the cigarette butts. I wanted to know if we have enough to warrant an arrest even if we couldn’t get DNA confirmation. He said no. There’s just no way he believes he could convince a jury it was Connor without there being reasonable doubt. We needed that DNA. Also it’s your word the cigarettes came from the crime scene. I’m sorry Justin, but that doesn’t mean we’re stopping. We’ll keep looking for a link.”

“Thanks for letting me know Detective Winters. I appreciate your help and getting back with me so soon.”

After ending the call with Winters, Justin made one more phone call before entering the meeting room.