C.J. Urban - Julie Townsend 01 - Hidden Intent (6 page)

“It sounds plausible,” he agreed. “Apparently the police had no leads about that, or they would have told me. Do you have any evidence?”

“Just a hunch,” Julie answered, suddenly feeling foolish. She paused a moment, then asked, “Do you believe it was Jacob Leigh who murdered Tara?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. The verdict never seemed to fit in my mind, but, that’s why we have juries. And, I didn’t have any evidence to oppose his conviction.”

“I do feel bad about bringing all of this up,” Julie said. “But this feeling I have about it is so strong. You know?”

Oliver nodded. “If the person who really killed my Tara is still out there, I
would want him caught.”

“I would, too.”

Oliver cocked his head and gave Julie a sidelong glance. “Are you interested in this type of thing? Investigating?”

“Yes, I am. I would love to get my private investigator’s license and start my own business. I’ve always been fascinated by mysteries and crime. And, this hits closer to home. Tara was family.”

Now he smiled at his niece. “Good for you. Always do what your heart leads you to do, Julie. And feel free to investigate Tara’s case any way you see fit. Just don’t get yourself into any trouble.”

“Thank you, Uncle Oliver. I won’t let you down. If there’s anything I can find out, I will. And I’ll try not to get into trouble.”

Julie’s uncle seemed tired, and they sat quietly a moment. It was a good thing Sam had been in the other room watching TV.

“I hope you two can come for dinner sometime,” Oliver said, “I’d love for you to visit me again. It’s peaceful here, but sometimes a little lonely for an old man.”

“Of course,” Julie said brightly, happy to change the subject. “We’d better get going, we have a ton of work to do today.”

“I appreciate what you’ve told me,” Oliver said sincerely. “I really do.”

Julie took her uncle’s hand. “I’m relieved to hear that. I was nervous about telling you.”

He rose now, and Sam appeared in the doorway. “Are we leaving?”

“Yeah, bud, you’re right on time.”

Oliver paged the Visitor’s Center for a driver to pick them up, and then walked them to his front door. “If you discover anything new, please let me know.”

“I will, for sure,” Julie told him.

Outside, they watched as the golf cart zipped up the street, stopping in front of the house. Julie and Sam both hugged their uncle goodbye, and then got into the cart. As they were driven back to the Visitor’s Center, Julie swore to herself that if her cousin’s killer was still out there, she was going to find him. No matter what.

Chapter
10

Over the next few days, Julie couldn’t help thinking about Jacob Leigh, and the possibility of his innocence. She wasn’t sure anyone would even believe her if she was right. She needed proof.

She still had Skye’s skeleton keys, and needed to return them. She also wanted to ask him about Leigh’s whereabouts, and if it were at all possible to visit him and ask him some questions.

Julie and Sam drove over to Dietrich’s Hardware Store and entered the old building. The place was busier today. Julie spotted Skye leaning against a counter, talking with a customer. She walked to the counter and waited off to the side. She knew he had seen her; however his eyes stayed fixed on the woman he was helping.

After a few minutes, the woman seemed to be satisfied with her purchase, and she gave Skye a hearty shake of the hand. She turned to leave, but noticing Julie, the woman eyed her up and down suspiciously, then walked briskly away.

“Thanks for waiting,” Skye said.

“No problem,” Julie said, staring after the woman. “Who was that?”

“That was Chief Langley. Town police.”

“She looks fierce,” Julie commented. She didn’t like the way the Chief had looked at her.

“And it’s not all looks,” Skye told her. “She can tear you a new one if you’re not careful.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Julie commented thoughtfully. She set the set of skeleton keys on the counter. “Here you go. Thanks again.”

“Did they work?” He asked, taking the keys and plopping them below the counter with the others kept down there.

“Yep,” Julie answered with a satisfied smile, “one of them opened the door.”

“Excellent. That’ll be ten bucks,” he said casually, as he took a rag and started wiping down the counter.

“Very funny,” Julie laughed. Then, her voice took a more serious tone. “Listen, I actually have something else I want to talk with you about. I need to find out some information on Jacob Leigh.”

The rag in Skye’s hand stopped abruptly. “Why would you need to do that?”

“It’s complicated,” Julie said vaguely. She hadn’t decided whether to tell him her theory, or about the diaries. In any case, this wasn’t the time or place.

Skye merely shrugged. “Well, the Chief would know more than anyone else,” he told her. “But she’s the kind of person you don’t want to
cross, you know?” He gave Julie a curious look, and then continued. “She said she was going to the office to pick something up. You might be able to catch her if you hurry.”

“Thanks, Skye,” Julie said, and dashed out of the hardware store with Sam following.

The police department was only a block away from the hardware store, but she drove anyway, worried that Chief Langley would leave before Julie could have a word with her. She was already nervous from what she considered a dirty look from the Chief, but perhaps Langley was just stressed out. And, Julie thought to herself, she had to try.

They reached the station, and Julie pulled sharply into one of the parking spots, her tires screeching to a halt. She glanced over at Sam. “Do you mind staying in the truck, bud?”

“Nah, it’s cool.”

Julie jumped out of the truck and strode briskly up to the front entrance just as Chief Langley burst through the doors.

“Chief Langley,” Julie called out.

But Langley didn’t break her stride. “Whatever you need, you’re going to have to ask the receptionist,” she told Julie roughly.

“Please, it’ll only take a—”

“No.”

“It’s about Jacob Leigh,” Julie said in desperation.

The Chief came to an abrupt halt and turned toward Julie, face furious. The lines etched in her middle-age complexion had deepened into a frown.

“Who are you?” She demanded.

“My name is Julie Townsend.”

“And what business do you have with Jacob Leigh?”

“I want to talk to him, but I don’t know what prison he’s in.”

Chief Langley studied Julie before answering. Then she said, “He’s not being held in prison. He’s at McAndrew’s Psychiatric Hospital. Crazy fool deserves it, too.”

Julie was stunned. She hadn’t expected Leigh to be locked away in a psychiatric hospital. Langley faced her full on now, daring her to ask another question.

“I…Thanks for the information,” was all she could come up with.

“We handled that situation just fine, and long ago, Miss Townsend. There is no need for you to get involved in something best forgotten.” Before Julie could say another word, the Chief turned, got into her patrol car and drove away.

Julie walked back to her truck and Sam, surprised at Langley’s threatening tone. Why would she care if someone wanted to contact Leigh?

Sam glanced up at his big sister. “Did you talk to the Chief of Police?” He asked.

“Yep. At least I got the information I wanted. Now, to find McAndrew’s.”

“Find what?” Sam asked innocently.

“Nothing, bud. Nothing to worry about at all.”

Julie did want to visit Jacob Leigh though, and she decided to ask Skye if he could help her locate him. Maybe he would even go with her. She knew it was silly, but Julie felt uncomfortable about the prospect of being in a psych hospital alone. And even though she didn’t know Skye very well, she did feel at ease with him. She hoped he would agree to go with her.

She drove back to the hardware store and headed toward the back. She found Skye packing up his things.

“Hey, are you done for the day?” She asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was only noon.

“Yeah,” Skye sighed, “the store is busy, but the key department has been pretty slow lately. My boss told me to take the afternoon off.”

Julie gave him her most convincing smile. “Well, that’s perfect, because I need your help with something.”

Her full lips and perfect white teeth weren’t lost on Skye. “And what would you be needing help with, Miss Julie?”

Julie felt her cheeks getting warmer, and wished just for this moment that Skye’s eyes weren’t so mesmerizing. The way he looked into her own eyes made it hard for her to concentrate.

But she gathered her thoughts and said, “I want to visit Jacob Leigh. And I want you to come with me.”

“Whoa, wait a second,” he said. “What makes you think I’d want to visit him? And, more importantly, why do you want to see him?”

It was then that Julie decided to trust Skye. She needed a friend, someone to confide in. “I can’t tell you here, but if you come with me I’ll tell you on the way. I promise.”

“Chief Langley told me he’s at McAndrew’s Psychiatric Hospital. Ever heard of it?”

Skye looked down, somber now. “Yeah he’s there, and yes, I know the place.”

“What’s wrong, Skye?”

“I’ll take you. I don’t think we’ll have too much trouble getting in. They know me pretty well there.”

Julie didn’t mean to, but she took a step back. “Why would you be well known at a mental hospital?” She asked.

Skye remained silent a moment, searching for the right words. Then he told her, “I’m known there because my father has been a patient there for the past five years.”

Chapter 11

Now it was Julie’s turn for silence. She didn’t know what to say to him. She finally stepped forward and gave Skye a hug. She felt his strong arms tighten around her, pulling her close to him. She almost didn’t want to let go, even though they were in the middle of his workplace.

But after a few seconds, he let go and smiled down at her.
“Thanks.” He sighed, and Julie waited for him to gather his thoughts. She didn’t think he’d been prepared to share this information with her so soon, but she was glad he trusted her. “I’ll take you there,” he said. “And I’ll tell you how my dad ended up there.”

“Thank you, Skye, for telling me. And for helping me. I doubt they would let just anyone in a place…like that…” she fumbled to a stop, not wanting to offend him.

But he smiled. That smile. “Pretty lucky you know me then, huh?”

“Very lucky. I wonder if your mom could watch Sam. They could get to know one another, before Friday night.”

“I’m sure she could. Let me call her, though.” Skye pulled his phone out of his pocket and speed-dialed his mom’s number. Julie waited while he talked for a minute or so, and then hung up. “She’d be happy to watch him,” he told her.

Sam was waiting patiently for them. Now Julie turned and knelt to her little brother. “Skye and I need to go somewhere for a little while, Sammy. You remember his mom, Gloria? She’s the nice lady we met the day we moved in. You’re going to stay with her while I’m gone, okay?
”

Sam
thought a moment, considering. Then he replied, “Yeah, I remember her. She’s nice. Alright. But where are you going?”

Julie gave Sam a tender brush on the cheek. “We’re going to a hospital to visit someone we think we can help.”

He seemed satisfied, if mystified, with her answer. He didn’t question any further, for which Julie was grateful. They followed Skye out of the hardware store to his truck.

“Am I following you?” Julie asked.

“Naw,” Skye answered, “I’ll drive. I do know the way, after all.”

Julie opened the passenger door and pushed the front seat forward for Sam to climb into the back, then got in and shut the door. She looked behind her to make sure Sam was buckling himself up, and noticed several black bags, one of which was open. Julie saw the sheath of a knife poking through one of the bag’s openings.

“Don’t touch it,” she told Sam, interpreting his fascinated gaze.

Skye reached back and zipped the bag closed. “Sorry about that,” he said, “I’m a hunter, and I keep most of my gear with me.”

“Phew,” Julie said, feigning relief. “I was afraid we were getting ourselves into some trouble, after all.”

Skye gave Julie an amused look as he started his truck and they began to drive. “My mom’s house is just down the street.”

They arrived in front of the small, one-story home and all three alighted the truck. Skye led them to the front door and knocked. They could hear Gloria’s muffled voice from inside. Then she opened it, and stood there in a bright pink shirt and jeans smeared with mud.