A Shred of Evidence (42 page)

G
ordy Jameson opened his eyes to the sound of the gentle surf. He sat on the side of the bed and combed his hands through his hair, a damp breeze moving the curtains on the window.

He pulled on his cutoffs, then stumbled barefoot out to the kitchen, turned on the coffee pot, and went outside and picked up the Sunday paper. He brushed off the sand and removed the rubber band, his eyes instantly drawn to a picture of Billy arid Lisa with the caption: Did They Act Alone?

He skimmed the article as he walked back inside and decided he wasn’t interested in reading another spin on Billy and Lisa’s involvement in Sarah Beth’s abduction.

He sat at the kitchen table and read through the advertisements, pleased with the one Weezie had made up for the crab shack.

He read the sports page and the comics, then turned to the Speaking Out section, surprised to see that Ellen Jones had submitted a letter. He wondered if it was the same Ellen he knew.

Gordy read the letter, touched by her transparency and surprised by what she had said about him. He was still amazed he’d had the gumption to say what he did to reporters.

He folded the newspaper and laid it on the table, then finished a second cup of coffee, studying the photographs on the refrigerator of Jenny and him. Why hadn’t he noticed until now how faded they were and how the corners had curled up from the humidity?

Gordy got up and removed the magnets, then put the old photos in a drawer, surprised that he didn’t feel guilty.

The doorbell rang. Who would stop by on a Sunday morning? Gordy went to the front door and opened it, surprised to see Eddie Drummond.

“Can we talk?” Eddie said.

“Yeah, I suppose.” Gordy held open the door, and Eddie went into the living room and sat on the couch, his foot jiggling and his fingers tapping his knee.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Come on, Gordo. Did you think I wouldn’t see you on TV—or read that Jones woman’s letter in the paper?”

“I didn’t intend what I said to be personal, Eddie. But I’m not apologizin’ for it either.”

“I never meant to hurt Billy Lewis. How was I supposed to know he’d do something that stupid?”

“It may seem
stupid
to you, but in Billy’s mind, it was a very brave thing. I told you to stop fillin’ his head with stuff about Ross Hamilton, that you were scarin’ him.”

“Gimme a break. He talks to other people. He watches TV I wasn’t the only one talking about it.”

“You’re the only one he ever quoted. Billy heard everything you spouted off down at Hank’s. And just so you’ll know, Billy doesn’t watch TV Anything negative he heard about Ross Hamilton, he most likely heard from you.”

“Look, this wasn’t my fault.”

“You can’t tell me you don’t bear some responsibility We all do—every one of us who decided Ross was guilty before we had the facts. But you’re the one who started the rumor, Eddie—and kept it goin’. At some point you’re gonna have to own that.”

Eddie looked out the window and cracked his knuckles. “So what’s going to happen to Billy and his wife? Has Chief Seevers filled you in?”

“Will’s not gonna talk to me about the specifics. But my gut
feelin is everyone close to this case wishes the Hamiltons would drop the charges.”

“Would Billy and Lisa go free?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple. There has to be an arraignment and some sort of court hearing. I don’t understand how it all works. But I think if the Hamiltons would agree to drop all charges, the DA would work something out for Billy and Lisa. I don’t know that the Hamiltons are willin’ to do that, though. Especially after all they’ve been through.”

“What a mess,” Eddie said. “I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah, I believe you. But
sorry
won’t do Billy any good.”

Julie Hamilton sat with Ross on the patio, watching Sarah Beth play in the sandbox. The child sat on her heels, filling plastic cups with sand and singing a song Julie didn’t recognize. What had happened in her daughter’s life the eight days she had been away from them? Julie wondered if she would ever know. Surely Sarah Beth was too young to remember it for long.

Julie closed her eyes and let the sound of her child’s singing seep into her soul. She was aware of the back gate creaking and Ross tapping her arm. She opened her eyes and saw Eddie Drummond standing just inside the gate.

“I tried ringing the bell,” Eddie said. “Nobody answered.”

Ross stood, his arms folded. “That’s because nobody wanted to. What’re you doing here?”

“We need to talk.”

“No
we
don’t. Go away. I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

“Just hear me out,” Eddie said. “It wasn’t easy for me to come here.”

“I don’t really care, Drummond.”

“Ross, look … I made a big mistake, okay?”

“Is that what you call it? You almost ruined my life! Nothing you can say will make any difference to me!”

“Not to you. But what about to Billy and Lisa Lewis?”

“What about ’em?”

“Could I come closer and talk to you and your wife?”

Ross turned to Julie, his eyebrows raised. “Your call, hon.”

Julie nodded. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Eddie trudged over to the patio, his hands buried deep in his pockets. “I’m not going to make excuses about what I did. No matter what I thought I overheard Hank say, I should’ve come to you and given you a chance to explain—or to set me straight. I’m sorry. I know that sounds lame considering what all you’ve been through. But I really am.”

“I couldn’t care less how you feel. What about the Lewises?”

Eddie rocked on his feet, heel to toe. “It’s my fault Billy was afraid of you. He overheard me running my mouth and took everything I said as gospel.”

“Chief Seevers already told us that.”

“But do you realize Billy’s harmless? He didn’t know he was committing a crime.”

Ross’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you suddenly care so much about Billy? You treated him like a dog—fetch this, fetch that. I heard the wisecracks you used to make about him: He’s in the gene pool, but there’s no lifeguard on duty. Sound familiar?”

“Yeah, I know. I can be a real moron. But it bugs me to think that Billy’s going to be punished for trying to protect your daughter. He thought he was doing the right thing.”

“That’s for a jury to figure out,” Ross said.

“Unless you do first.” Eddie glanced up, then looked at the ground. “The two of you could get the DA to drop all the charges against the Lewises.”

“Why, so your conscience can feel better?”

“No. Because you of all people know what it’s like to suffer unfairly.”

Julie slipped her hand into Ross’s.

“Look,” Eddie said, “I’m going to give notice in the morning.

We can’t both work at Hank’s, and I’m the one who messed up. But please at least
consider
dropping the charges. One injustice has already been done. Punishing the Lewises would make it two. And that’s a heck of a way to even the score.”

E
llen and Guy Jones waited at the end of a fast-moving line that had formed in the foyer after the Sunday morning service at Crossroads Bible Church. Ceiling fans kept the air circulating and sent a stack of bulletins sailing across the floor where several young children scurried to pick them up. The line moved quickly and soon they were face to face with the pastor and his wife.

“Well, look who’s here,” Pastor Crawford said to Guy. “It’s good to have you back. Ellen told us you’ve been working on a big case.”

“I have. But it’s time I put my priorities back in order. I plan to be there for the Thursday Bible study.”

“Glad to hear it.” The pastor shook his hand, then turned to Ellen. “Your letter in the newspaper this morning was very well put. I’m sure it has caused many of us to do some soul searching.”

“Thank you.”

Guy put his arm around Ellen. “I insisted on hand delivering it to
The Messenger
yesterday morning. I’m surprised they got it in so quickly.”

Dorothy Crawford took Ellen’s hand. “Have you seen Ross and Julie since Sarah Beth came home?”

“No, I haven’t wanted to intrude on their family time. But I have talked to Julie on the phone several times. They’re all doing great. Sarah Beth seems unscathed by what happened. That’s the best news of all.”

“I want to invite the Hamiltons to come to church,” Dorothy said. “You think they’d be open?”

Ellen smiled. “I have a feeling they just might. Julie told me they were deeply touched that people from our church were so willing to help them.”

“What an amazing ending to the saga,” Pastor Crawford said. “God’s hand was certainly evident. And that Gordy … I was so proud of him. I’m glad in your letter you reiterated what he said on the news. I’m sure going to be praying for Billy and Lisa Lewis.”

“Thank you. So am I.”

“Well, Mrs. Jones,” Guy said, “what do you say we go out for lunch and then spend the afternoon being a couple of beach bums?”

“In broad daylight?” Ellen said. “Now that should throw our gossip queen into overtime.”

Ellen walked into the kitchen from the garage, Guy on her heels, and set her Bible on the countertop. “I’m so full I may not want to eat again today.”

“Me either,” Guy said. “Next time I’ll order from the menu instead of indulging in the buffet.”

“I’m so disappointed Gordy wasn’t there. I was anxious to tell him in person how proud I am of him.”

“I’m sure you’ll catch up with him when things settle down. Would you mind if we wait a while before we go to the beach? I’d like to let my lunch settle and finish reading the newspaper first.”

“That’s fine. I’m in no hurry.”

Guy left the kitchen, and Ellen took her sermon notes out of her Bible. She reread them, then jotted down a couple of key points she wanted to remember.

The doorbell rang. She finished writing her thought, and
then hurried to the front door and opened it. A petite woman with curly blue-gray hair and thick glasses stood on the porch. She wore a pink silk dress—and a troubled expression.

“Mrs. Jones, my name is Blanche Davis. I read your article in the newspaper this morning, and I—well—oh, why beat around the bush? I’m the person you think has been gossiping about you.”