Accidental Love Read online

  Leslie approached the table carrying her wallet and car keys. “Are you done, Marnie?”

  “Who is that woman?” Marnie asked with a nod of her head.

  Leslie looked up and then back at Marnie. “No one important.” Again she asked. “Are you ready to go?”

  I’m ready,” she said standing up. “It’s not far if you don’t mind walking.”

  “Walking is fine.” Marnie had on another pair of dress pants and top, but the sandals would have to do. “You can’t keep feeding me for nothing, Leslie.”

  “Yes, I can,” she answered and kept walking.

  They reached the courthouse and went up the stairs. Leslie knew exactly where they were going. Walking into the sheriff’s office, she greeted the officer sitting there.

  “Leslie, good to see you. I guess you would like to see Tom?”

  “Please, Jake. I’ve got Tom’s new attorney.”

  The officer gave her the once over and realized that she was the woman from New York. “You’re Marnie Winters, right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she answered, handing him her business card.

  “We’ll get him into an interrogation room.”

  “May I have the arrest file?” Marnie asked before he could disappear.

  “His other lawyer has a copy,” he said and went through a door.

  “Shithead,” Marnie mumbled under her breath. “Who is this other lawyer?” Leslie handed her his card and she dialed the number. Thankfully she had a signal. “Mr. Stevens, this is Marnie Winters. I am now representing Tom Reynolds and I need the files that you have immediately.”

  Leslie listened and whatever Stevens had said made Marnie’s face scowl. “I’ll expect the file in the sheriff’s office in five minutes or I’ll call your DA instead.” She threw her phone back into her purse.

  Two minutes later, Bill Stevens walked in and handed the file to Marnie. “This is everything that I have.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Stevens,” she said, but Leslie could tell she was still angry. He quickly disappeared.

  Marnie took a seat and pulled a pair of glasses from her purse. She read through the file quickly not even noticing that Leslie had taken the seat next to her. Marnie closed the file and tore the glasses from her face. “They have nothing except they were seen at the party together. Tom argued with Jess and he claims he left the party alone.” She shook her head. “Did they take a DNA sample from Tom?”

  “I don’t know,” Leslie answered quietly.

  “I’m sorry for asking you these things. I’ll ask Tom when we get in there. If we get in there.” It was another ten minutes before the officer returned.

  “Okay, he’s ready.”

  “Thank you, Jake.” Leslie began to follow.

  “Leslie, I can’t let you go back. Only his lawyer.”

  Marnie turned to her. “Go back to the café. I’ll find you when I’m through here.”

  She nodded and left the office.

  Tom walked in and took one look at Marnie and he began to fidget in his chair. “I thought they said my lawyer was here.”

  “Hello, Tom. I’m Marnie Winters, your new lawyer.”

  “Do my mom and dad know about this?”

  “I believe so, but it was your sister who asked me to represent you.”

  “Leslie hired you?” he asked surprised.

  Marnie nodded and took a pad and glasses out. “Tom, I’m going to ask you some questions if that’s okay?” He nodded. “Did the police interrogate you?”

  “Yes.”

  “How long?”

  “I’m not sure, but it seemed like hours and hours.”

  “Did you confess to anything?”

  “No. They kept telling me that I’ll feel better if I confess. Ms. Winters, I didn’t do this. I loved Jess.”

  “I understand you left the party without her,” Marnie asked watching his face very carefully.

  He looked down at the table. “I did. She wouldn’t leave with me.”

  “Why did you want to leave?” Marnie asked watching his face intently. She was always good at reading people and she’d know before she left here if he was guilty.

  “Because someone brought out drugs and I wanted nothing to do with that. Jess yelled at me to leave her alone.” He lowered his voice. “So I did.”

  “Did anyone see you when you left the party?”

  “I don’t know. I went over to the lake and sat there for a long time. I thought I’d go back to the party in a couple of hours and Jess would be ready to leave.” He looked Marnie right in the eye. “I didn’t do what they said.” He began to cry. “They showed me pictures of Jess.” Tom was sobbing now. “I threw up when they showed me the pictures. I could never do that to her. I couldn’t do that to anyone.”

  Marnie had briefly looked at the pictures which showed a bloodied body and face. Jess’s blue eyes were lifeless as the camera captured her face. This poor kid. How could they have done that? “I’m going to try and get you out of here, Tom. Are you being mistreated in here?”

  “No. They’ve got me alone in a cell. Leslie brought me my school books and some other stuff to read.”

  Marnie stood up. “If you need anything, just tell them you want to talk to your lawyer.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Winters.”

  Marnie smiled at the kid. “We will talk some more when I get you out of here.”

  Her next stop was to try and get another bail hearing for Tom. She was told they were bringing in a special prosecutor from Atlanta who would be arriving in a couple of days. She went to see the prosecutor who had the case now. Marnie saw from the file that they had indeed taken a DNA sample from Tom and probably without asking his family even though he was a minor. She wondered what other rights they had forgotten. She’d have to make a note to ask Tom if he was read his rights and did he ask for his family or attorney before they had questioned him.

  It took more than an hour for the judge to agree to another bail hearing even though Christopher Evans, the current prosecutor objected.

  “My client is a minor and should have been released to his parents and not locked in jail. Did anyone read him his rights? Were his parents asked if you could question him without them being present?” The judge and prosecutor became quiet. Thought that would do it. “It would be easier if we forgot the bail hearing and just let me take him home today.”

  The judge and the prosecutor conferred for a few minutes and the judge left the room. “The judge is going to sign the paperwork to release him.”

  “Good. I’ll be in the sheriff’s office waiting.” Marnie turned and walked away. She went back to the sheriff’s office.

  “Did you forget something?” Jake asked without a smile.

  “No. They’re going to release Tom and I’ll sit here and wait for him.”

  “Suit yourself,” he said and went back to his paperwork.

  Marnie continued looking through the file for anything that the police did that would indicate Tom’s rights were ignored. Obviously, they decided to try him as an adult and that was their right to do so. She would have to call Sheila later and ask her to do some investigating and if need be get down here. Within the hour, Tom was led out to her. He smiled when he saw her. “Hi, Tom. Ready to get out of here?” He nodded and followed her out the door. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take you to your sister.”

  “That’s fine with me, Ms. Winters.”

  “Call me Marnie, okay?” she asked.

  He nodded shyly and as they walked down the street, everyone greeted Tom warmly. She knew he was no killer and the town knew it. Tom walked into the café first and Leslie let out a screech as he entered.

  “I’m okay, Sis,” he said as Leslie wrapped her arms around him. “Don’t squeeze so hard.”

  She finally let him go and then her arms went around Marnie. “Thank you,” she said kissing her cheek. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  The excitement in her face finally showed Marnie how pretty this woman was. H
ow she had missed that was beyond her belief. “No thanks are necessary,” she said to Leslie with a wide grin.

  A few minutes later, Alan and Rachel Reynolds came rushing in the door. “Tom,” his mother screamed and she squeezed him tightly too. Alan was next and then they both turned to Marnie.

  “Hello, I’m Marnie Winters,” she said sticking out her hand, but her breath was lost as Rachel Reynolds took her in a bear hug. Alan was a little gentler in his hug. “I haven’t done anything yet,” she said laughing.

  “You got our son out of that jail,” Rachel said still crying softly.

  “He is still charged with murder.” She turned to Tom. “Tom, go home with your folks and stay there. I’ll come over this evening and we can talk again. I know you are going to want to go out with your friends, but not yet. You can ask them to come over, but don’t discuss the case with them. I believe you that you didn’t do this, but someone did and we don’t want to tip them off,” she said keeping her voice low. “Are we clear?”

  “Don’t worry, Ms. Winters. He won’t leave the house or our sight,” Alan Reynolds promised.

  “Please call me Marnie. I’ll be over around seven. Do you live far from the hotel?”

  “Marnie, I’ll drive you over tonight,” Leslie said from behind her.

  Once Tom was taken home by his parents, Marnie took a walk. There was one person in this town that might be able to help her. She walked into the antique store and found Buddy alone. “Hi, Buddy. How are you?”

  He looked up from his tablet and smiled. “Hey, Marnie. I’m okay.”

  “Do you have a few minutes to spare so we can talk?” Marnie’s eyes glanced around making sure they were alone.

  “Sure. Mom went home for the day and as you can see, no customers.” He motioned with his hands to the empty store. “Have a seat,” he said pointing to the small table and chairs.

  “Thanks.” Marnie sat down and opened her briefcase to remove her pad. “Buddy, what do you think about Tom being arrested for this crime?”

  His face turned into a scowl. “I think it is a crock of shit.” Then he blushed. “Sorry for the language.”

  “No problem, Buddy. That’s why I came here. I knew you would be truthful with me.” He nodded in agreement. “I don’t believe Tom did it either, but what can you tell me about the other kids that were at the party?” She pointed to the list of names on her pad. “Do you know any of them?”

  “I know all of them. It’s not a big town so everyone knows everyone else,” he said with a shrug.

  “What did you think of Jess?” she asked cautiously.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and clammed up suddenly.

  “You can tell me, Buddy. It will be between us, but if I’m to help Tom, I need the truth.”

  “I didn’t like her. I thought she was using Tom because he came from a respectable family.” He let out a deep breath. “Jess’s mother didn’t want her to hang around with the wrong kids. Her going out with Tom fooled her mother.” He pointed to a name on the pad of kids that attended the party. “This is the guy she really liked.” Buddy sat back in his chair. “I saw them go into his house one day with her. They were kissing.”

  “He lives next door to you?” Marnie asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Yeah. He is a bully and a jerk. Anyway, his mother came home unexpectedly and Jess ran out the back door half-dressed.”

  “So she was having sex with him?” Buddy shrugged. “So the pact they had to stay pure?”

  “I believe Tom was the only one keeping that pact.”

  Marnie thought for a minute. That could bring her other suspects, but it also didn’t look good for Tom. Suppose he found out that Jess was sleeping with Rodney. Could he have gotten so angry that he killed her in a fit of rage? “Do you think Tom knew?”

  “No, because I tried to talk to Tom about her, but he wouldn’t believe me. He was too smitten or in love. I don’t know.”

  “Tom said he went over to the lake when he left the party. Do you think anyone could have seen him when he was there?”

  Buddy thought for a moment. “It’s possible. A lot of kids use that place as lover’s lane, but so many people were at the party.”

  Marnie knew she would have a tough time getting any kids to admit they were up there fooling around. “Do you know the names of any kids that didn’t go to the party that night?”

  Buddy began to write down names on Marnie’s pad. “I think that’s everyone, but if I think of anyone else, I’ll let you know.”

  Marnie stood up. “Thank you, Buddy. You have been a big help to me.”

  “Anytime, Marnie. You saved my mom from killing me after the accident.”

  Marnie smiled at him. “I’m sorry the accident happened, but I am glad that I met you,” she said cuffing his shoulder.

  She left the shop knowing she had to get her best friend down here to help her. Marnie’s stomach began to growl and she walked back to the café. While she sat awaiting her food, she sent a text to Sheila. “Need you down here on this case.” As she awaited an answer, Dot placed her plate on the table. “Thanks, Dot.”

  Her phone chimed. “Already told them taking vacation time. Flying in tomorrow morning.” As usual, Sheila had her back. “You need to rent a car since far from airport.” After dropping a five on the table, Marnie went back to her room. She knew she had a few hours before Leslie would pick her up and she wanted to check out some things.

  CHAPTER 6

  Marnie was waiting downstairs for Leslie to arrive. Wilma rambled on about the town and how nice Marnie was to be helping the Reynolds family. She said most people in town didn’t believe that Tom was guilty. Wilma only stopped talking when Leslie walked into the hotel. “Hi,” she said smiling.

  “Hello, Wilma,” Leslie said with a wave to the hotelkeeper. “Are you ready to go?” Marnie nodded and picked up her briefcase.

  “You tell Tom that everyone is on his side,” Wilma called before the two women could leave the hotel.

  “Did Wilma talk your ear off?” Leslie asked with a grin.

  “That woman can talk,” Marnie said with a laugh. “But she is a good source of information.”

  “Really? What did you learn?”

  “That you are a sweet woman who deserves to find someone wonderful to love you.” Leslie let out an audible groan at Marnie’s words. “That woman you used to date was a fool to let you go.” Marnie grinned. ”She also reminded me how beautiful you are. Also smart as a whip.”

  “Please, no more.” Leslie let out a frustrated sigh. “I meant did you learn anything about the case that would be helpful?”

  “No one in town likes Rodney and his best friend Steve. Wilma said their parents let them run like heathens their whole life.”

  “Steve’s dad disappeared on his mother when he was ten. His mother had to go to work to support the family and wasn’t around much. Rodney’s father is an alcoholic that can’t keep a job. His mother did the best she could do living with an abusive man.”

  “Was he abusive to Rodney too?” Marnie asked taking mental notes.

  “Yeah. The law had to get involved more than once. Henry beat him pretty bad when he tried to steal a car at fifteen.” Leslie took a breath. “They have both had a tough life, but it’s hard to believe that one of them could be a killer.”

  “Well, I’m going to find out if that is true or not. My friend and colleague will be here tomorrow. She’s the firm’s investigator where I work and she is able to find out things that no one else can.” Marnie had no doubt that Sheila would find out things about this town that would make the occupants shudder. She did her job well and she helped her win on many occasions.

  Leslie pulled into her parents’ driveway. “I’ll get my parents to sit on the porch so you can talk to Tom in private.”

  “Thanks. He might not be as forthright with his parents sitting there.”

  Tom and Marnie sat at the dining room table and she asked him question after question
. She now had to ask the tough question. “Tom, did you ever suspect that Jess was cheating on you?”

  He dropped his head before answering. “Not until the party that night.”

  “Can you elaborate for me?”

  “Some of my friends tried to tell me that she was seeing Rodney.” His head dropped again. “I didn’t believe them, but at the party she kept pushing me away.” His emotions came to the surface and the tears were tracking down his cheek. “She spent most of the evening with Steve and Rodney.”

  “So that’s why you left the party?” Marnie asked even though he had told her earlier that he left after he fought with Jess.

  “After the argument with her, I decided to let her cool off. I still didn’t believe she was cheating.” He wiped his face. “I sat at the lake thinking about what everyone had told me and I realized what a fool I had been.”

  “So you went back to the party to what?” Marnie asked softly.

  “I wanted to go back and tell her we were through and tell Rodney he could have her.” Tom’s body shook. “As I got near the house, I saw all the police cars. I tried to get close and find out what happened, but no one would tell me anything.” He dropped his head into his hands. “Then another friend came up to me and told me what happened.”

  “What did you do?” Marnie asked.

  “I ran. When I got back to my car, I threw up and drove home.”

  “What time was this?” Marnie asked.

  “Midnight.”

  “I think that’s enough for tonight, Tom. Go get some rest,” Marnie said gathering her things.

  “Am I going to jail, Marnie?” Tom asked with tears in his eyes.

  “Not if I can help it,” she said patting his shoulder. “You’ll get through this, Tom. Trust me.”

  Marnie walked out to the front porch and took a seat. No one said a word to her, waiting for Marnie to speak. “Did you hear Tom come home that night?”