Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
He had no idea what had gone so wrong in Bliss, but it had put his sister in a foul mood. She’d gotten in the night before and had been frowning ever since.
“Girls.” Dad, Pops, and Mom were seated on the opposite sofa, listening in.
“The last few years have been hard on Laura,” Roman chimed in. “I found some hospital records that indicate she’s been physically abused. A fractured arm, a concussion. No police reports were filed.”
Nicole went tense. “I didn’t think Ted was physically abusive. There were times when I heard him telling Micah to stop hitting me. Not because he cared or anything. He thought Micah would get caught eventually. I knew he played a lot of mind games on her and he had total financial control of her life, but I never saw him hit her.”
“I think this is relatively new,” Kim agreed. “We searched records back before their marriage and it was only six months after the murder when she started needing medical attention. It’s possible the murder was a trigger that led to her husband becoming violent.”
“So you think Laura Holloway is trying to protect herself?” Grim wanted to understand the situation.
“She’s finally figured out nothing is going to change,” Kim replied.
Nicole seemed to consider the situation for a moment. “How old are her kids now? Ted was ten years older than his brother. By the time I came on the scene, Laura had three kids and they weren’t babies.”
Roman nodded. “Her youngest is in college. The University of Michigan.”
“Where her parents live,” Nicole said as though the knowledge made a puzzle piece slide into place. “The kids are adults, and at least one of them is living close to where she would find refuge. He doesn’t have the kids to hold over her anymore.”
“Another reason he could have become violent. He knew he was losing control.” Grim couldn’t stand the thought Nicole had been caught in such a violent world. “So she’s holding this evidence against her husband in an effort to get us to send her the money to safely get away.”
“Are we sure this isn’t complete crap and all this will do is send them straight here?” Josh asked.
Their dad nodded from his seat. Jack had been quiet most of the meeting, deferring to Josh and Grim. Grim had been grateful to have Jack in the room though. He knew there was no one he would rather have than his dad watching their backs.
“She sent us the logs,” Jack explained. “I wouldn’t move forward without them.”
“Those security logs are proof Nicole didn’t show up until several hours after the coroner reported time of death.” Roman looked through his notes. “I was able to pull some security footage from a couple of businesses around town that prove Nicole’s timeline. All of this is excellent news, but obviously the holy grail of this case is going to be actual video of the murder. We’ll be able to clear Nicole’s name entirely and quickly.”
“And get Ted Holloway behind bars,” Kim added.
“That’s amazing,” Nicole said, her hand going to pet the dog on her lap. “I could be a free woman in a matter of hours?”
Grim glanced Josh’s way, exchanging a look of worry with his best friend. Josh nodded, letting him know one of them had to take the lead. “You’ve said the Holloway family is important to the town. How can we be sure they’ll arrest Nicole’s brother-in-law? It wouldn’t be the first time cops let a little something like proof of murder slide for rich folks.”
“Not if she leaks it to the press,” Harlow offered.
“Absolutely,” Kim agreed. “If they refuse to reopen the case, we’ll go straight to the press, but I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. In the last couple of years the family’s sway on the town has loosened up as the company they own downsized and moved most of the jobs overseas.”
Nicole’s head shook. “It won’t matter to Sheriff Reynolds. He’ll still be taking bribes from the family.”
Roman’s lips kicked up. “Yeah, he lost his last election. There’s a new sheriff in town.”
Kim shook her head. “You were just waiting to say that, weren’t you?”
Roman nodded, looking entirely unworried he’d moved into dad-joke territory. “Yeah.”
“So we think this guy will do his job.” Josh sat back.
“And quickly,” Kim agreed.
“But obviously he’ll get out on bail.” Nicole suddenly seemed nervous again.
Grim didn’t want to take the smile off her face. The morning had been so lovely, and she’d been relaxed and happy. “But if the video absolves you, he has no reason to come after you. In fact, it would be bad for his case to come anywhere near you. If the tape is what she says it is, then you’ll be free of the Holloway family.”
“I think they’ll be way more interested in your sister-in-law,” Josh advised. “Which is why we’ll give her some protection. I’m going to assume you think she can testify.”