Sealed with Justice, page 9
Using his key card, he accessed the side door of the motel and headed inside. The building had two floors, and the corridors were enclosed with glass. Hudson stopped at the first room at the top of the stairs and quickly gained access to the room.
She followed him inside. The room was clean, yet still smelled a bit musty. Hudson filled Echo’s food and water dishes, watching as the dog eagerly dug in to his meal.
“Any idea where to find Joe Jamison?” She asked.
“Yeah, I’m hoping his schedule is such that he’ll be dropping off his soft drinks at the same gas station where we saw him yesterday.” Hudson glanced at his watch. “Roughly thirty minutes from now.”
She was impressed with his reasoning. “Okay, that sounds good.”
“I’m going to change, then take Echo out again before we go.” He rummaged in his duffel, then disappeared into the bathroom.
Echo finished eating and came over to sniff at her feet. She petted his silky fur, thinking about the upcoming conversation with Joe. She wanted to take the lead since she’d known him better back in high school than Hudson had.
His comment about the cheerleader dating the quarterback still rankled. Mostly because it was true. At the time, it seemed as if she and Corey were expected to date. And to be crowned homecoming King and Queen.
Pathetic how much that had meant to her back then. For a moment, the image of Olivia’s pale, wan face flashed in her mind. She blinked back the sudden tears.
No more crying over her loss. Olivia was home in God’s arms. Where she’d stay, pain free, until it was Kendra’s time to join her. At one point, she’d prayed that would be soon.
But these past few days had made her realize she wasn’t quite ready to die.
“Wait here, okay?” Hudson came out of the bathroom and clipped a leash to Echo’s collar. “We’ll be back shortly.”
“Okay.” She sat on the edge of the bed.
Hudson was barely out the door when she heard a voice. “Hudson Foster? I’m Detective Ken Adams, and this is my partner Debra Copeland. We need to ask you a few questions.”
“About what?” Hudson asked.
Kendra crept over to the door, which Hudson had left ajar. An uneasy feeling washed over her as she listened.
“We should probably talk about this down at the station,” Adams said. “The dog should stay here, though.”
“No thanks.” Hudson’s harsh tone belied the polite words. “Unless you’re here to arrest me, you can ask your questions and leave.”
There was a moment of silence before Adams asked, “Can you tell me where you were last night around midnight?”
“You came here to the motel to find me, didn’t you?” Hudson asked. “Why ask the obvious?”
“Do you know a woman named Jeanie Mayberry?” a female voice asked.
“A woman named Jeanie served me breakfast yesterday at the Corner Café,” Hudson replied. “But I haven’t seen her since then.”
“Can anyone provide an alibi for your whereabouts last night?” Adams asked.
Kendra couldn’t stand it. She swung open the door, surprising the trio. “I can. Hudson and Echo stayed overnight at my father’s house last night.”
The detectives looked dumbfounded by her presence there. They looked at each other, then back to her. “And you are?”
“Kendra Pickett. My father is Wayne Pickett, he works at the power company. He can verify Hudson was with us last night too. What’s this about Jeanie Mayberry? I was with Hudson when she served us at the café.”
“She was murdered. Her body was found in the cave across the creek.” There was a hint of annoyance in Adam’s tone. “I’m going to need you both to come down to the station to provide statements.”
“We just gave you our statements,” Hudson said. “And again, I have no intention of coming down to the station.”
The detectives looked as if they weren’t sure what to do next. Finally, Adams pointed his finger at Hudson. “Stay in town,” he ordered. “Or I will get an arrest warrant to take you in. Understand?”
“I don’t plan to leave town,” Hudson said calmly.
“Me either,” Kendra piped up.
“Good.” The two detectives turned and left. She watched, feeling sick to her stomach. Jeanie’s murder changed things. She didn’t like the way Hudson was being set up for her murder. They had to do something and soon. Before he was thrown in jail, possibly for the rest of his life.
Hudd had figured things couldn’t get much worse.
He’d been wrong.
Yet on some level, he wasn’t surprised. In fact, his efforts to make sure he was seen checking into the motel last night paid off.
The detectives obviously knew he’d been staying there. So did the real killer.
The same man who’d struck again, killing their young server in cold blood, hoping Hudd would be a suspect as he’d be alone in the motel room.
The killer had no idea he’d stayed with Kendra instead.
“Come inside,” Kendra said, tugging on his arm. “We need to call a lawyer.”
“Not Corey Robinson,” he said as he followed her inside. “And why did you speak up about being my alibi? You made it sound like we spent the night together.”
“I know, but I was afraid they’d haul you off in handcuffs.” She planted her hands on her hips. “This is serious, Hudson. You need a good lawyer, not Corey but someone else. The real killer is setting you up to take the fall.”
“I’m aware.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He felt certain that his arrest wasn’t imminent, thanks to Kendra claiming to be his alibi. Granted, she hadn’t lied; he had stayed at her house for the night. But he could have easily slipped out to kill Jeanie, returning before she knew he was gone. Something he wasn’t about to tell either of the detectives unless he absolutely had to. “Let’s go. We still have time to chat with Jamison.”
“Wait a minute.” She tightened her grip on his arm. “Let’s find you a good lawyer first. I’m worried they’ll come back to arrest you.”
“Not with you as my alibi,” he countered. “Besides, I think it’s clear we’ve made the killer nervous. Why else would he strike again, putting the body in the same place where Zoey was found? Even a blind man could figure out that he’s trying to set me up to take the fall. Something the detectives should consider.”
“Unless Andrew is feeding them a line of baloney,” she muttered darkly.
“True.” He lightly covered her hand with his. “Try not to worry. If I need help, my SEAL teammates will come at a moment’s notice.”
“Why not call them now?” She was really digging in her heels over this. “I’m worried about you.”
Her concern was sweet but unnecessary. “They’re not going to arrest me with you as my alibi. We need to talk to Jamison. The best way to clear my name is to find the real killer. Trust me on this, okay?”
“Okay, okay.” She finally nodded and released his arm, although her expression remained troubled. “Let’s go.”
He paused at the door, then turned to face her. “I don’t expect you to lie for me, Kendra. If I am arrested at some point, I don’t want you to lie about spending the night with me.”
She flushed, and it was all he could do not to kiss her again. “I won’t. But how insane is it that someone actually believes you’d kill a random café server.”
“Not entirely random,” he countered. “She was young and had long dark hair like Zoey. I’m sure the real killer chose her because of that.”
“Both Corey and Andrew saw us at the café with her,” she said slowly.
“Along with dozens of other citizens,” he felt compelled to point out. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. We don’t want to miss Joe.”
She nodded and followed him and Echo outside. This time there were no detectives to stop him from heading back down the stairs and out the rear door of the motel.
He glanced down at Echo who trotted happily alongside him. The dog hadn’t reacted in a negative way toward the two detectives. Remembering how the dog had growled at the location where the shooter had stood made him wonder if Echo might be able to sniff out the killer.
Something to consider, although he doubted he’d be able to convince a cop that Echo could ID the guy by his scent.
He thought briefly of Bravo, Mason’s K-9 partner. Bravo had been their scent dog over in Afghanistan. The K-9 had helped them find several tangos, even the leader of the Taliban house they’d infiltrated.
Should he give Mason a call? He knew the senior chief wouldn’t hesitate to come join him. However, he didn’t have anything for Bravo to use as a scent source. And there was a part of him that didn’t want his former leader to know he’d once been considered a suspect in Zoey’s murder.
He decided against making the call as he led the way to the gas station located catty-corner from the café.
It bothered him that Jeanie had been murdered. He felt certain that she’d been used to throw suspicion off the real killer and onto him. A pawn in a sick, deadly game.
“Hudson? I think that’s Joe’s truck.” Kendra’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“I see it.” He was glad his hunch had paid off.
“Let me talk to him,” Kendra said. “I’m less threatening than you.”
That made him want to grin. “You can be fierce, Kendra. But I agree he’s more likely respond to you in a positive way.”
“Here goes,” she said as they grew closer. Hudd held back a bit, turning away and giving Echo the signal to stay, as she hurried forward. “Joe? Hey, it’s me, Kendra Pickett. I was in your chemistry class with Mr. Johnson, remember?”
Joe glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Kendra with interest. “Oh yeah, hi. What brings you back to town? Heard you were a nurse in Portland.”
Hudd crouched beside Echo, trying to make it look as if he wasn’t listening intently to the conversation. He found it interesting that Joe knew where Kendra had ended up. He doubted any of his former classmates knew he was a Navy SEAL.
Not that it mattered. He couldn’t care less what they thought.
Not entirely true, he silently admitted. He didn’t like being accused of murder.
“I am, but I injured my shoulder, so I came home to stay with my dad for a few weeks.” Kendra smiled brightly at Joe. “I didn’t realize you were still in the area.”
Joe shrugged. “Don’t want to leave since my kid is still here.”
“Oh, are you married?” Kendra asked.
“Divorced from Denise.” He grimaced. “My son is worth it, though. Joe Junior is a great kid.”
“I’m sure he is,” Kendra gushed. “I remember Denise, she was one of the cheerleaders on our squad.”
“Yeah.” A wistful expression crossed Joe’s features. “Those were the good old days.”
“I ran into Corey and Andrew, but are there other classmates of ours that are still in the area?” Kendra asked. “I couldn’t make the reunion last year because of my job. I was hoping I could meet up with a few while I’m home.”
Hudd had positioned himself so that Joe and Kendra were visible from his good eye. He noticed a hint of disgust cross Joe’s features when she’d mentioned Corey and Andrew. A sentiment he agreed with.
“I don’t see those guys much,” Joe said. “Dave Nevins is still around, I think he’s a cop, too, like Andrew. The only one I’ve kept in touch with is Mitch Cooper. He’s married now, to Alyssa Stone.”
“Oh yes, Mitch was in our chemistry class too. He didn’t play football, though, did he?”
“No.” Joe’s tone was curt. “There were times I wished I hadn’t made the team.”
That captured Hudd’s attention. Joe sounded as if he’d had a falling out with Corey Robinson and Andrew Barkley. Maybe even with Dave Nevins too. He only had a vague memory of Joe. The guy had been pretty quiet, unlike Corey and Andrew.
“Why would you say that?” Kendra asked in surprise. “I thought you were all friends.”
“Not really.” Joe shrugged.
“Is it because you found Zoey’s body in the cave?”
Joe blanched. “That was Dave, not me.” He moved to step past her. “Look, it was nice chatting, but I have to go. I have a schedule to keep.”
“Wait, can I ask one more question?” Kendra put a hand on his arm. “Please? It’s important.”
“I guess.” Joe looked at her warily.
“Look, I know this is going to sound crazy, but do you think it’s possible that Andrew, Corey, or Dave had anything to do with Zoey’s murder?”
Joe’s reaction was visceral. He gaped, stumbled backward with a look of panic on his face. “I don’t know anything! I have to go.” He jutted around Kendra, jumped up into the driver’s seat of the truck, and slammed the door behind him.
Well, Hudd thought. Isn’t that interesting? Guilt had practically oozed from the guy’s pores.
Joe knew far more about what his former football player teammates had done back then than he was letting on.
Chapter Eight
“That was weird.” Kendra stared at the back of Joe’s truck as Hudson and Echo came over to stand beside her. “He acted as if I’d slapped him.”
“He knows something,” Hudson murmured.
“I’m not sure he knows anything,” she argued. “Otherwise, why would he keep silent all this time? He doesn’t hang out with the old crew anymore; there’s no reason for him to keep their secrets.”
“They could have threatened him or his son. Or maybe he suspects one of them killed Zoey but doesn’t have any proof.” Hudson put his arm around her waist. “Good to know Nevins was the one who found Zoey’s body. Let’s go. We’re supposed to stay out of sight.”
“Yeah.” She allowed him to steer her back toward the motel. The idea of hanging out in his room, though, held little appeal. Talking to Joe convinced her that one of the football players very well could be involved in Zoey’s murder. “I should have taken Corey’s card. I need to talk to him.”
“No way, that’s a bad idea.” Hudson’s arm tightened around her. “He’s a slick lawyer, accustomed to using his words to twist the truth to his advantage. Do you really think he’ll slip up and say something incriminating?”
He had a point, but that didn’t mean they shouldn’t try. “If I get him to talk about old times, he might give me some insight into what may have happened that night.” She hesitated, then added, “I could play up how the police came to question you about Jeanie’s murder. Pretend I believe you might be involved.”
“Not happening.” Hudson’s flat tone irked her. “Stay away from him.”
“Who died and put you in charge?” she shot back. “The whole reason I’m staying in town is to find out the truth. Jeanie’s murder makes that more imperative than ever. I hate that she died for no good reason other than to frame you.”
“We don’t know that’s the reason.” From the corner of her eye, she could see the muscle tick at the corner of Hudson’s jaw. He was angry but was doing his best to hold his feelings in check. She admired that about him, but that didn’t mean she was going to blindly follow his lead.
She couldn’t help feeling as if they were living on borrowed time. That the detectives would return at any moment to put Hudson in cuffs and haul him to jail. They needed to do everything possible to prove his innocence. Including setting up a meeting with Corey Robinson.
One thing she’d learned about arrogant surgeons is that they believed they were more skilled and smarter than everyone else. Which sometimes resulted in them blowing off a nurse’s concern about a patient. She’d gone over a surgeon’s head more than once and had been proven right on all but one occasion. She hadn’t cared about the blowback, some surgeons couldn’t handle being wrong, but her patients were her top priority.
Somehow, she felt certain arrogant lawyers would be the same way. Corey would likely act cool and confident. But maybe she could still find a way to rattle him, maybe put a dent in his overblown ego.
It was too early in the day, though, to approach him. Hadn’t he said something about getting together for a drink? She’d find him online to set that up.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t come up with a way to corner Andrew Barkley. Unless . . . she abruptly stopped and pulled out her phone.
“What are you doing?” Hudson asked.
“Looking to see if Andrew is married.” She scrolled through social media until she found Andrew’s page. He had a wife, Sasha, and two kids. When she switched to Sasha’s page, she didn’t see any employer listed. Some people didn’t bother to include that kind of information, but she could easily imagine Andrew encouraging his wife to be a stay-at-home mom.
“So what if he is?” Hudson urged her forward toward the motel. “I highly doubt his wife is going to know anything about what happened twenty years ago.”
“Sasha was one of our classmates, two years behind us.” She tucked her phone away and followed Hudson into the motel. “It can’t hurt to talk to her.”
Hudson sighed heavily as Echo bounded up the stairs to the second-floor motel room. “You can’t just go talking to people willy-nilly. We need a plan.”
“Yes, we do.” She had the start of one already forming in her mind.
Hudson unlocked the door, then stepped to the side to let her in. Echo brushed against her legs on his way to slurp from his water dish.
“I’d like to try to talk to Joe again,” Hudson said.
She took a seat on the edge of the bed. “Why do you think he’ll talk to you?”
“I don’t know for sure, but he knows or suspects something, so it’s worth a try. I’m the one under suspicion, maybe I can use guilt to force him into cooperating.”
“Maybe, although he didn’t seem to be willing to talk just now.” She figured it couldn’t hurt to try. “We should also talk to Dave Nevins.”
“He’s a cop and likely loyal to Barkley,” Hudson said. “For all we know, he’s the one who has been shooting at us.”
