Leann Sweeney - The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon

“Just ’cause I’m not in college doesn’t mean I’m stupid,” Finn said.

“Remember how I swabbed your mouth for DNA?” Candace said.

Finn nodded.

“What if your DNA would help us prove you didn’t kill Nolan Roth?” Candace said.

Morris, who had finished off his water in two long gulps, said, “Here we go, kid. The evidence queen is hard at work.”

The water seemed to have improved Morris’s disposition.

“But you told me after Deputy Carson left that you liked the evidence queen,” Finn said, amusement showing in his eyes.

Morris almost smiled. “Hey. Don’t go telling my secrets.”

I said, “As you can see, these are good, honest people.” I picked up his hand in both my own and squeezed. “There’s a murderer out there, and they’ll find out who it is. The good news is, it looks like you left evidence in Tom’s car—evidence that explains how you were injured. Candace showed me how it happened.”

“Really?” Finn said. “Tell me.”

“I might have to show you—just like Candace showed me,” I said.

“Go for it,” Finn said.

We were all leaving the interrogation room when I saw Tom standing in the waiting room.

“You all look… relaxed. Does this mean Finn can leave now, Candace?” Tom said. “And when did you arrive, Jillian?”

“In time to hear about the CSI stuff Candace has been doing,” I said.

“Yeah. It’s way cool, Tom. She figured out how I hit my head,” Finn said.

“Listen, y’all must be as hungry as I am,” Morris said. “Take this kid to eat and he can fill you in. He needs some meat on his bones.” He turned in the direction of the break room and walked away.

Tom smiled. “Sounds like a plan. I take it Finn won’t be needing the lawyer I couldn’t reach?”

“Nope, but I have more questions for you, Tom,” Candace said.

“About what?” he said. “Because my jaw is getting tired talking about what happened.”

“It’s about the calls and texts we found on your phone when we took it from the wreck,” she said. “But first, I have to call the crime lab about Finn’s DNA results. Can we talk later?”

“What about Finn’s DNA?” Tom said.

“I believe his DNA will rule him out as a suspect,” Candace said. “Now, I really have to get busy.”

“I’ll explain what she’s talking about,” I said. “Finn’s interview is over and we can leave.”

As we walked through the courthouse toward the front entrance, I offered a shortened version of what Candace figured out and why she needed Finn’s DNA results.

“Deputy Carson gets so excited about this forensic stuff,” Finn said. “She’s way into it.”

Before Tom could respond, we saw Karen coming toward us, her straight midcalf skirt making it difficult for her to travel as quickly as she might have.

When she reached us, she pulled Finn to her and hugged him tightly.

“I see Candace has released you,” Karen said. “I knew she’d come to her senses. You could never hurt a living soul.”

Finn gently pulled away. “They’re just doing their job, Nana. I did have Nolan’s blood on my sweatshirt.”

Karen’s eyes widened. “Oh my. But you’re free? They didn’t arrest you?”

He smiled. “Nope.”

“How did you find out he was talking to the police?” Tom said.

“I had a visit from the last person on earth I thought I’d be talking to,” she said. “Your brother. He told me you were making calls to find an attorney for Finn and he thought I should know.”

Tom’s eyes hardened. “I wondered where Bob was going when I left for here. But of course he left his stuff, so I figured he’d be back—unfortunately.”

“Interesting how the son I haven’t heard from in years is the one who decided to inform me about what’s going on.” She stared at Tom, a look of disapproval I was certain he was familiar with.

“You’re making him sound heroic,” Tom said. “Bob wants something—what, I’m not sure yet. It will come out, though. He knows how much you care about Finn and he used it as an excuse to visit you.”

“You could be right, but he says he wants to apologize to his family,” Karen said. “I had to rush over here, but he’s waiting back at the house for my return. We can all go over to my home and talk.”

“No way,” Tom said.

Finn said, “How will you find out what Bob wants if you don’t talk to him?”

“He’s right,” I said.

Since we’d all ganged up on him, Tom reluctantly agreed to go to his mother’s house and we arrived five minutes later in our various vehicles.

Karen didn’t smile when she greeted Bob, just said, “Here we are. Time for you to own up, Robert.”

His crooked smile appeared. “I—I didn’t expect so many… well, everybody . Glad to see Finn isn’t in jail, though.” He held up his knuckles and he and Finn exchanged a fist bump. “They grill you, bro?” Bob said.

“It wasn’t like that. They’re trying hard to find out the truth.” Finn glanced around the room, avoiding Bob’s stare.

“I have more of the soda pop you like so much,” Karen said. “Come with me.”

She and Finn went to the kitchen.

I did not want to be left with these two men. The awkward silence now filling the space made me want to run out to my van and not come back until they’d settled their long-running differences. Wait. What made me think they could actually settle anything? A command from Karen to do so? Men resolved things so differently than women, after all.

“Well,” I said, clasping my hands and smiling. “Here we are.”

“Right where we don’t want to be,” Tom said.

His voice held a hint of futility and frustration. How could I help Tom? Especially now, with the events of the last few days weighing so heavily on him? I didn’t know what to do, so I said, “I’m hungry. Anyone else?”

A meal can unify people for a short time. I guess that’s part of why we celebrate Thanksgiving. But as we ate tuna salad sandwiches and homemade vegetable soup, I didn’t see much unification happening.

We sat without anyone saying a word and I was beginning to wonder if Karen regretted inviting Bob into her home.

When I could no longer stand the quiet, I said, “Is Ed at work?”

“Yes,” Karen said.

“Does he still collect stuff?” Finn asked.

“Too much stuff,” Karen said with a smile. At least one person in the room remained in Karen’s good graces.

“Why are you here, Bob?” Tom said, staring down at his soup.

At last the elephant of a question was finally addressed.

“Can’t a man visit his family?” Bob said.

“Oh sure. After five years you come to town and break into my house while I’m not there. Nice way to visit.” Tom still hadn’t looked at Bob.

“You broke into his house, Robert?” Karen said.

“I waited outside, but when he didn’t show for hours and hours, I needed the restroom—and something to eat,” Bob said. “Mom, this soup is awesome, by the way. Just like I remember.”

Tom set his spoon down and glared at Bob. “You could have gone into town, to a restaurant and—”

“I’m having a little cash flow problem,” Bob said.

Finn watched this exchange like he was at a tennis match, eyes wide with interest.

“You’ve had money problems your whole life. Why are you here now?” Tom said. “What’s the plan, Bob? Because you always have one.”

“I was expecting an apology,” Karen said.

“I’m sure you were. Answer me this, Mom,” Bob said, every drop of charisma evaporated. “If I were being intimidated by the cops, would you have left in a frantic rush to save me?”