Page 10 of Line of Sight

The door opened, and Marie reentered, carrying a box. “There isn’t much, but I hope it’s enough to give you some insight.”

Dan took the box from her, set it down on the coffee table, and opened the flaps. He reached into it and removed a watch.

“Owen bought that for him on his twenty-first birthday. He used it to time his laps when he went running.” Marie swallowed. “He was wearing that the day he died.”

Dan glanced at Gary, unable to miss the hopeful light in his eyes. But Dan knew better than to hope. It only led to disappointment when his gift revealed nothing.

He placed the watch between his palms and closed his eyes, opening himself up to whatever energy the item possessed. The quiet tick of a clock was the only sound in the room apart from his own breathing.

Finally he opened his eyes. “This was a good man.”

Marie’s eyes glistened. “You can feel that?”

He nodded.

“And… what about his death?”

His throat tightened. “I’m sorry, but there are no clues as to his death.” He hated pouring ice water on her hopes.

He picked up five or six different items: a book, a gold chain, another watch…. Nothing.

Dan closed the box. “I’m sorry. This has brought back unhappy memories for you.”

Marie wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “You think you’ve moved on, and then….” She took a deep breath. “They might only have been stepbrothers for a short time, less than fifteen years in fact, but they were close. Scott’s death had such an impact on Greg. An impact that can still be seen today.”

“What do you mean?” Gary asked.

“It was as if he realized how precious life was. He was almost a Buddhist after that. He wouldn’t even kill a fly or a spider. For Greg all life had suddenly become sacred.” She sighed. “And if that’s all, I think I’ll go out into the backyard and play grandmother to a host of excited children before I put all the candles on the birthday cake.” Marie smiled. “Life around here is never dull, that’s for sure. But keeping busy also keeps the memories at bay.”

“Thank you for agreeing to talk with us.” Gary shook her hand.

Marie looked him in the eye. “Find out who did this. I know you can. I have faith in you. And in Mr. Porter’s extraordinary abilities.”

Dan took her hand. “Thank you. I will do everything I can.”

She led them to the front door. Gary glanced back as they followed the path to the sidewalk.

“I know Barry highlighted Greg’s name, but Greg doesn’t sound like the kind of person who would murder someone, especially in such a brutal manner,” he mused.

Dan paused at the car door. “And what if he’s more like the kind of person whocouldcommit such a horrendous murder but then spends the rest of his life regretting it and trying to atone?”

One question would dog him all the way back to the precinct.

Which one are you, Greg Collins?

Chapter Five

October 1994

The party for the Mystery/Thriller Club, UMass, Boston, MA

I GAZEDat the attendees, and damn, it was hard to hide my horror at some of the dreadful costumes. Thankfully someone had spiked the fruit punch, which made the party a little easier to bear.

Why am I here?

Except I already knew the answer. I was bored out of my fucking skull.

This shindig isn’t any better than the last one they organized.