Page 369 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“My cell phone will confirm I was here all night.”

“You could’ve left it here,” McCauley pointed out.

“So prove I was somewhere else. The onus is on you, I believe. But I can save you the trouble. I didn’t kill Celia. What reason would I have to end her life?” He included Addie in that question. After all, she was the one who figured out what people were thinking.

“But just so you’re not surprised when you learn about it.” Jacob paused. “Celia and I had a conversation in the retirement center parking lot. We happened to be leaving at the same time, and she asked for advice. What she should do about her boyfriend.”

McCauley snorted.

“Continue,” Addie said.

Jacob didn’t mention the fact it hadn’t felt genuine. But what reason would Celia have had to play him like that?

“She asked what I thought, and I asked her a few questions in response. To try and get her to think it through and decide on her own. The boyfriend showed to pick her up, saw us talking, and lost it. He ran up and tried to shove me around. He hit me. I hit him. It was over pretty quickly, and no one was hurt badly. Ididn’t let it escalate, but Celia was freaked over his reaction. She left with him.”

“And you didn’t call the police?” McCauley seemed to think that was suspicious.

Jacob stood. “That’s all of it. So if you have any further questions about anything, you’re welcome to direct them to my lawyer.”

Addie had turned away to study the photo he’d hung above the fireplace. The sunrise above the bluff, a picture taken by his grandfather years ago. The only part of the decoration he’d had input into, and that was only to tell the lady which of his framed photos he wanted to be hung there.

She moved on to study the books on his shelf. Jacob twisted around and winced, thankfully where McCauley couldn’t see. That stupid scrapbook Hank had pulled from his backpack and left on the table. He still hadn’t put it away.

If she saw it…

Part of him wanted to know what she would think.

Did she do the same, processing what had happened to them and the hold it still had—while at the same time trying to convince herself that it was done? It was nothing. The past was over.

Jacob didn’t want McCauley realizing what he had in his possession, and neither did he want to explain it. The captain wouldn’t understand. Not the way Addie might.

He strode to it and put the scrapbook in his backpack. Addie shot him a questioning glance. Since she had no intention of seeing him again, what was the point of letting her into what his life was like now? It wasn’t like she cared.

“One moment.” He headed for the study and pulled a business card from the desk drawer. Back in the living room he handed it to the captain. “Here’s my lawyer’s information.”

McCauley took it, but the guy didn’t seem happy Jacob shut them down.

“Some place you’ve got here.”

Jacob shrugged.

“Is this all down to that book you did? My wife has a copy in the guest room.”

“Life in Story?”

“That’s the one.” The captain lifted his chin. “Her dad is part Cherokee, so she liked reading all the firsthand accounts of your grandfather’s life.”

“I’m working on another one.” Jacob figured he could at least use it to solidify his case. “That’s why I was at the retirement home. I’m interviewing some of the residents, trying to find a story to tell.”

He didn’t tell them he thought one might be a murderer. Cops tended to react, even if the statute of limitations were way past. What was the point of dragging an older man with dementia into a court case when he might not even live to serve out a sentence? Hank knew about it, and he hadn’t seen reason to drag the past back up.

“That’s how I knew Celia.” He wanted to ask them to pass on condolences but figured the family wouldn’t be receptive. Jacob didn’t want to cause them more grief. “She was a nice girl who didn’t deserve to be killed.”

He was only assuming this was a murder. After all, they wouldn’t come around like this if it were natural causes or an accident.

The captain turned. “Special Agent Franklin?”

“I have no questions, but I’d like a minute. I’ll meet you at the elevator.”