Needing to keep his mind from rabbiting down a hole that he had no business exploring, he redirected his thoughts to the situation. What sent you to Helen Yorkes house?
I heard that the charm found near Olivias body belonged to Christina Hennessy. When I went to the Hennessys house, Christina and Georgina were gone. I figured her ex-housekeeper might have an idea where Christina would disappear to. Theyd seemed close before Helen left town.
A cold finger of dread ran down his back. Who told you about the charm?
A leaky police department drowned a lot of good people over time. That information was supposed to be quiet until they could bring Christina in. Theyd only recently released the image of the silver dolphin charm that had been discovered at the crime scene of Olivia Henrys murder. A reliable tip had pointed them in Christinas direction. Topping that off with the evidence linking Christina to Burkes death
Sorry. A good reporter never reveals a source.
Irritation flared. His jaw tightened. Well, you found her didnt you?
Meghan remained silent, letting the sarcasm of his words fill the car. The paper said Burke died of a heart attack, but Id heard it was a prescription overdose. Some say on purpose. She glanced at him.
He didnt think keeping the information from her would serve much purpose. It would become public knowledge soon enough. No. No heart attack, no overdose, at least not on purpose. Asphyxiation was the official cause of death.
Ryan had never bought the theory that Burke offed himself. The socially ambitious lawyer had been too set on usurping any Fitzgerald claim to the mayors seat to be suicidal. Hed been one of two men who thought Fitzgerald Bay needed new blood in the town government. Theres evidence of foul play. Fibers found in his nostrils and throat suggested hed also been smothered with a pillow, finishing off what the drugs had started.
Thats horrible.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair. You never answered my question. Why is Georgina so important to you?
She pressed her lips tightly together, the corners pinching slightly. After a moment, she said, I received a letter earlier today.
And that has to do with Georgina how?
Looking suddenly uncertain, she hesitated. Seeming to debate with herself, she nodded once, straightened her shoulders and briefly met his gaze. It was from Olivia, postmarked before her death.
He drew back in surprise. You just now got it?
A flash of impatience sparked in her hazel eyes as she slanted him a sharp glance. Yes. When I left Boston, I didnt have a forwarding address, so the super of my building held my mail. He finally got around to sending it all to me.
Do you have the letter with you?
No. Its in a safe place. She inhaled and then released a breath before saying, How did you find out Olivia had a child?
A flash of impatience sparked in her hazel eyes as she slanted him a sharp glance. Yes. When I left Boston, I didnt have a forwarding address, so the super of my building held my mail. He finally got around to sending it all to me.
Do you have the letter with you?
No. Its in a safe place. She inhaled and then released a breath before saying, How did you find out Olivia had a child?
I should be asking you that question. But he figured she wouldnt tell him anyway. That leak needed to be plugged. The autopsy revealed shed given birth. Confirming what theyd already suspected. He hesitated a moment, then decided to tell her what else theyd discovered, though she probably already knew. Why did he feel like he was being tested? A box, postmarked from Fitzgerald Bay, arrived at the police station.
Perking up with curiosity, she prompted, What was in it?
A pink baby blanket, a baby bracelet from a hospital in Ireland with the words Henry Baby Girl and the name of a doctor and a date, and an uncashed check for ten thousand dollars made out to Olivia Henry. None of which has helped to find Olivias killer or identify the person who mailed the box.
She glanced at him. But surely the doctor or the hospital had some useful information on what happened to the baby.
The hospital had a break-in not long after Olivia gave birth. Her records are missing. The doctor didnt have any useful information other than confirming shed delivered Olivias baby girl.
Seeming to weigh his words, she adjusted her grip on the steering wheel. Why didnt you tell me this sooner?
It was privileged information in an ongoing investigation, he stated.
She made a little frustrated noise low in her throat. Apparently Olivia had given her child up for adoption. But then regretted her decision and wanted her baby back.
Is that what she wrote in her letter?
Yes.
Empathy twisted in his chest. Unfortunately, theres no way to confirm that supposition.
She adjusted her grip on the wheel. Yes, there is. The adoption was illegal and Olivia had been tricked into signing away her rights. Olivia tracked down her baby girl and found her in Fitzgerald Bay. That was why shed moved from Ireland to the U.S. She wanted her baby back. Olivia wanted her baby girl to be with me if anything happened to her. She apparently didnt feel safe in Fitzgerald Bay.
Something niggled at the back of Ryans brain. And she knew who had adopted her child?
Meghan nodded. Christina and Burke Hennessy.
He stilled. Georgina is Olivias child?
He pictured the little girl with her blond curls and bright blue eyes safe in Meghans arms. No wonder Meghan had held the child so tenderly with so much love. She believed the toddler to be her cousins daughter.
He remembered when the Hennessys brought the baby home, claiming theyd adopted her, thus rescuing her from a drug addict in New York City. The Hennessys must have known the adoption was illegal and could be challenged if they were tracked down as the adoptive parents by the birth mother. No one had questioned them. There hadnt been any reason to.
Maybe Olivia confronted Christina and Christina killed Olivia to keep Georgina, Meghan reasoned.
Its a good theory. Theres evidence that could link her to the crime. If so, he had the motive theyd been searching for in Olivias murder. But why would Christina kill Burke if they were in this together?
I dont know. Maybe he found out Christina killed Olivia and threatened to turn her in or said theyd have to come clean about the illegal adoption, give the baby to the authorities.
Maybe, he said. What a complicated mess.
You believe me, then? Meghan asked, her voice tense. Or rather, Olivia?
This woman was related to the deceased and to the baby that may have been the catalyst for Olivias murder. I dont know why youd lie.
I wouldnt. I dont lie.
He could only take her word on that.
Meghan flipped on her blinker and took the exit ramp for Portsmouth. Do you know how to get to the police station?
He arched an eyebrow. Do you always start driving without knowing where youre going?
Her mouth tightened. I figured Id ask for directions when I arrived. But since youre with me, Id hoped youd know where to go.
Shaking his head, he searched for the address on his smartphone and directed her. A few minutes later they pulled up to the square redbrick building of the Portsmouth police headquarters.
Large green, manicured hedges framed the walkway. Summer sun reflected off the paved sidewalk in hot waves, but a slight breeze coming off the Atlantic Ocean a few miles away kept the heat bearable.
Ryan hobbled to the glass front door in Meghans wake. She held open the door for him then herded him to the desk sergeant.
Ryan glared at her. He wasnt limping that badly. He identified himself to the sergeant.
A moment later, a man wearing the navy uniform of the Portsmouth Police Department approached. The stars on the collar of his uniform alerted Ryan to the mans rank even before he spoke.
Deputy Chief Fitzgerald, Ive been expecting you. They shook hands. Im Chief Danhoff. Weve got the suspect in a room. Weve read him his rights and hes declined a lawyer. I was waiting for you before questioning him.
Chief Danhoff assessed Meghan. And you are?
This is Meghan Henry. Shes a blood relative of the missing child.
Ah. Youll want to observe then. Motioning for them to follow, Chief Danhoff led the way. He opened a door. Miss Henry you can watch from in here.
Meghan disappeared inside.
Ryan followed Danhoff into the interrogation room. He was determined to bring down Christina Hennessy and find the little girl.
THREE
Meghan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Nope, didnt calm her nerves any. Gathering her courage like a shield, she stepped inside the Portsmouth observation room and watched Ryan enter the interrogation room. The small space seemed even more cramped with the big, muscle-bound Jay sitting at a metal table. She couldnt see his hands. She assumed they were handcuffed to his chair or something.
Surprise flickered in Jays dark eyes when he saw Ryan. What are you doing here?
I need answers and youre going to give them to me, Ryan said, bracing his hands on the table and leaning into Jays face.
Fat chance, pretty boy, Jay spat out, testing the strength of the cuffs holding his arms at his sides.
Did you help Christina Hennessy kill her husband?
Jay drew back. I dont know nothing about no husband and no death. Wasnt me.
Mrs. Hennessy didnt tell you about murdering her husband?
Jay frowned. Naw. She just needed some brawn for the day.
A muscle ticked in Ryans jaw. What rock did she find you under?
When Jay didnt respond, Ryan slapped a hand on the table, the crack echoed off the walls. Meghan felt the impact through the glass. Her heart jolted.
Youre going down, Jay. Assault on a police officer, kidnapping-
I didnt kidnap anyone! Jay protested.
And youll be charged as an accomplice in Burke Hennessys murder.
Im telling you I dont know this Burke guy, and I didnt kill anyone.
Then tell me how you hooked up with Christina, Ryan said, his tone intense.
Then tell me how you hooked up with Christina, Ryan said, his tone intense.
With a sullen pout, Jay said, She came into the Last Stand bar asking if anyone wanted to make a quick grand.
When was this?
Jay shrugged. Just this morning.
She gave you a thousand dollars to do what?
Oh, I got more than a measly thou, Jay said, pride puffing up his chest. Since I was the only one in the bar, she didnt have much choice. I wanted five grand.