John shrugged. I cant remember. The summer before last?
Teddy nodded. Youre right.
Do you have a photo of it? said Ren.
I can get you one, said Teddy. I know that its got a pretty distinctive black ink stain on it from a Sharpie.
When was the last time either of you were up in the attic? said Ren.
Eye-dart from John Veir.
Several months, said Teddy.
Caleb was talking about getting an action figure from up there on Sunday night, said John, but I dont know if he did in the end.
How convenient...
Teddy sat forward, her eyes bright. Could this mean that Caleb did run away? The suitcase, the sleeping bag...
Caleb, dead, rolled into a sleeping bag, sealed inside a sheet of plastic, his father closing the trunk of his car.
Not necessarily, said Ren.
Suddenly, a car screeched up outside the house. Everyone stood up. A car door slammed, and there was the sound of footsteps rushing up the path. The doorbell rang, then a fist pounded on the door.
Get out here! Get out here!
It was a womans voice.
John went to the window. Ren walked toward the front door.
Stay where you are, Teddy, said John.
Who is it? she said.
John went into the hall, and started to open the door, trying to push his way through the gap, to get out on to the porch.
Dont you dare! Let me in, John!
Thats Shannon Fuller.
John gave in, and Shannon appeared in the hallway, just as Teddy came out from the living room.
It was you, you fucking psycho! said Shannon.
What are you talking about? said John.
Shannon, said Ren. Please calm down
No! said Shannon. No.
John, step back, please, said Ren. Shannon, Im going to come over to you and
Shannon Fuller was pale-faced. Her eyes locked on to Rens. Theres something I should have told you right after I heard that Caleb was missing, but I didnt want to sound like some psycho too
Her gaze turned to Teddy.
What is it? said Ren.
Tell her! said Shannon to Teddy. Tell her!
Tell her what? said Teddy.
Tell her! said Shannon.
What... what are you talking about? said Teddy. I dont know what youre talking about.
I was just told my son was drowned! said Shannon. Did you hear that? Someone deliberately drowned my son
We dont know that for sure, said Ren.
Shannon talked over her. Someone held him under water until he couldnt breathe any more. Someone killed my beautiful boy! Tell her, Teddy. So help me God
Teddys eyes were filled with tears, but she looked utterly bewildered. I have no idea
Ill tell her, then, said Shannon. Ill tell her
Stop! said John. Shannon, stop. Dont He stepped toward her.
No! said Shannon. No way! She turned to Ren, her eyes alight, but she was speaking to Teddy. Tell her! Tell this woman! Tell her!
John, said Teddy, pleading. What is she talking about? She was shaking. I dont know what youre
Dont! roared John at Shannon. Dont say a word. Dont do this.
The pain in his eyes.
Shannon saw it too, and it drained the fight from her. Im sorry, she said. Im sorry. Im... angry. Im confused. I... someone drowned Aaron. Someone drowned my little boy. Why would someone do that?
And why would you come here directing your anger at Teddy Veir? And what does John Veir know about it?
Ren looked at John Veir over Shannons shoulder, and nodded him toward his confused wife. Can you please take Teddy into the living room? Thank you.
Ren took Shannon to one side. What is going on?
Shannon lowered her voice, out of earshot of Teddy. When Caleb was a baby, Teddy tried to drown him.
Oh.
Dear.
God.
27
Ren led Shannon into the kitchen.
Talk to me, said Ren.
When Caleb was a newborn, said Shannon, I came across Teddy early one morning, kneeling down by Coolwater Creek, lowering Caleb into the water. I ran, got there just as his face was going under. It was horrific. I jumped in the water, and pulled him out of Teddys grip. Teddy was just sobbing, rambling on about no more pain. She was hysterical. She lashed out at me, scratched my face, tried to take Caleb out of my arms. She kept telling me that Caleb would only ever be safe if he was in heaven.
Jesus. What happened next? said Ren.
Well, I managed to talk Teddy into coming with me back to the car, said Shannon. I was going to drive them both to the police station, or the hospital, but Teddy begged me not to. She said her husband was in Iraq and that the baby would be taken away from her. So I brought them both back home. I told Teddy I wouldnt call the police on three conditions: one that she called a family member to come stay with her; two that they brought the baby to the doctor immediately; and three that she got psychiatric help.
So, what family member came? said Ren.
It was a friend, in fact, said Shannon. Patti Ellis. She shook her head. Im so sorry. Im sorry for coming in here like that today. Teddy obviously has no memory of any of this. She must have blocked the whole thing out. Im a mess. Im sorry. Who would want to hurt Aaron?
Were going to do our very best to find that out, said Ren. But first, I have to ask you, why did you think Teddy might? I know what youve just told me, but why would you think Teddy would have reason to harm your son.
Shannon flushed. I
Are you and John having an affair? said Ren.
Shannon sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. Tears welled in her eyes. Yes... we were.
Lets talk about this in my car, said Ren. If you could wait outside, I just want to have a word with John.
Shannon left. Ren called John into the hallway. What did you say to Teddy?
I told her it was about... He shrugged.
The affair, said Ren. She knows?
He nodded.
But she has no memory of what happened with Caleb when he was a baby, said Ren.
No, said John. I wanted to protect her.
I understand, said Ren. For right now, I need to go speak with Shannon. But I will need you and Teddy to come into Tate PD this afternoon.
Shannon Fuller was standing beside Rens car, her arms crossed, her head bowed. Ren walked over, unlocked the car, and they both got in.
So... said Ren. You and John...
Yes... said Shannon.
Is it ongoing?
No... not really. Its
Complicated... Ren smiled.
Shannons shoulders relaxed.
Tell me... said Ren.
Well, we met when I bought the resort, said Shannon. Wed see each other every now and then. Everything I said to you about him is true how kind he was, what a good guy. At that point, though, thats all I thought. Then one day last summer, I ran into him in the store at Lister Creek he was on his way home from work, I was on my way in to visit Seth. We got to talking...
There is still such a sparkle in your eye for that man.
There was just... a connection, said Shannon. Plus, he knew I was worried about Seth, and he sort of implied hed look out for him, which I thought was really kind. Maybe thats what it was... his compassion. I guess we dont expect it in men who look so... tough. She sucked in a breath. I know I should have stayed away from him.
Life isnt that simple, though, is it? said Ren.
No, said Shannon. No.
How did it progress from the meeting in the store into an affair? said Ren.
Well, we already had each others cell phone numbers, said Shannon, but that evening after we met at Lister Creek he texted me, checking if I got home OK after my visit. A couple of days later
When was this exactly? said Ren.
The end of July last year, said Shannon. So a couple of days later, I asked him to come fix something at the bar... and it went from there... until Teddy found out in October. She was trying to hook up her phone to the Bluetooth printer at home and his second phone hed forgotten to power it off showed up as an open device or whatever thats called. She searched all over for it, and she found it in his sports bag. It was all there. She blushed again.
So, the not really part, said Ren. Im guessing it hasnt really ended...
We tried, said Shannon. But it was just too hard. It started up again in December, ended in early January... and... when Aaron died, John was here to support me emotionally. As a friend.
Did Teddy know in December that it had started up again? said Ren.
Yes, said Shannon.
And nobody thought to mention this to us... said Ren.
I didnt think it was my place, said Shannon. Not when theyre going through this. I dont want to add any more pain. And I didnt see how it mattered. Its over now.
Did Seth know about it? said Ren.
Seth? No he might have had his suspicions, but no. Why?
What about Aaron or Caleb? said Ren. Could they have known?
Her eyes widened. She took her time to answer. That never entered my head. No...?
Your plant pots out front... said Ren.
Shannon had a resigned look on her face.
Someone trashed them? said Ren.
Yes.
Teddy? said Ren.
Shannon nodded. She showed up New Years Day, totally lost it.
Was Aaron there? said Ren. Did he see it?
Yes, said Shannon. But he didnt know what it was about. I told him it was to do with the bar and money I still owed the Veirs. It was the first thing that came into my head.
Did Teddy know that John was back offering you emotional support when Aaron died?
Yes, said Shannon. He decided to just come clean he told Teddy I needed him, and that it wouldnt feel right for him not to be there for me.
How did she take that? said Ren.
He didnt say, said Shannon. And I didnt ask.
When you came here today, said Ren, did you really think that Teddy Veir could have done something to harm Aaron?
I know youre expecting me to say no, said Shannon, and that saying no is the right thing to say, but yes... yes, I did. And Im not sure I feel any differently now. She paused. Youll look into it, wont you?
Yes, said Ren. Of course.
Shannon stared out the window. Do you think its karma?
The what now?
Bad things happening to both our sons... said Shannon, turning to her. John and me. I mean... is God punishing us?
No, said Ren. No, no, no. Why would you even think that? I dont know why this had to happen, said Ren, but it is not karma.
But, wouldnt you think it was karma if you did something shitty and someone you loved died?
No, said Ren. Now, if youll excuse me... I need to get back to the Veirs. Thank you for your time. She got out of the car. Shannon got out, and started to walk after her.
Im sorry, said Shannon. Did I say something to upset you?