Page 39 of Little Hidden Fears

“You’re right, but even with us being a united front, we have a long road ahead.”

Joanie grabbed my water glass and hers, taking them to the kitchen for a refill. As I awaited her return, I thought about how impressive she’d been since I’d arrived. She’d managed to keep it together, even though she was suffering a great deal inside.

She returned to the living room, handing one of the glasses of water to me.

“I feel we’ve veered off the path of the subject we were on,” she said.

“The subject of Gabe, you mean?”

“Yes, I gather you consider him a suspect.”

“I do, and I’d like to know more about him, from your perspective.”

She took some time to gather her thoughts before saying, “Gabe was a broody sort, muscular, and good looking,” she said. “Whenever he was in our company, he was quiet, answering my questions with the fewest words possible. He always showed respect to Noelle, but as I assessed his demeanor, I was wary.”

“Why?”

“There was something off-putting about him.”

“Did you share your feelings with Noelle?”

“Of course, even given how much she liked him, I worried it would be a mistake. I suppose it was because she stopped bringing him around altogether.”

“Where did they go if they didn’t come here? Knowing what his father was like, it doesn’t seem like Gabe would have taken her to his house.”

“As far as I know, she never stepped foot in Gabe’s house. We forbade it, and Gabe agreed. He didn’t trust his father or what he might do if he arrived home drunk and Noelle was there.”

“Where did they go, then?”

“They’d meet up at some of the high school joints the kids frequented back then, a few cafes, the movie theater. And at some point, they started going to the park. After she was assaulted, she admitted they’d gone there sometimes, but she swore the most they did was kiss.”

Seeing no point in making Joanie relive the pain of what Gabe had done to Noelle, I decided to stick to relationship questions.

“How long did Gabe and Noelle date?” I asked.

“A few months, from what I can remember.”

“After she went to the police, I heard he pled guilty.”

“You heard right. He did.”

“You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m not.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I mentioned before about Gabe’s broody temperament. I should add that he also seemed lost, like he struggled to find purpose in life and didn’t expect much out of it. I think that’s what attracted him to Noelle. She was his opposite—full of life, always one to lift others up.”

Always one to lift others up.

Whether it was someone like Gabe, who had a horrible home life, and no doubt, little prospects in life, or the women she mentored at the center, her light shone bright until its bitter end ...

Until it was snuffed out.

“Did you know Zoey visited Gabe after he was released from prison?” I asked.

Joanie gasped, staring at me in astonishment. “I had no idea. When did this happen?”