He didnt move. He stood stock-still, staring down at the body at his feet. He appeared to be in shock.
I said put your hands up, she ordered again. He blinked and slowly raised his gaze to her, then lifted his hands. Keeping the gun trained on him, she quickly frisked him. Where is the weapon? She nudged him with the point of her gun barrel.
He shook his head. I didnt shoot him.
Liza took a step back from him and shone the flashlight beam into the pines. The light didnt go far in the dense trees and darkness. Who shot him?
I dont know.
She squatted down to check for a pulse. None. Pulling out her phone, she called for backup and the coroner. When shed finished, she turned the beam on Jordan again. You can start by telling me what youre doing out here.
He looked down at the body, then up at her. You know I didnt kill him.
How do I know that?
True, she hadnt seen him carrying a rifle, but he could have hidden one in the woods earlier today. But how did he get rid of it so quickly? She would have heard him throw it into the trees.
What are you doing here at the falls in the middle of the night?
He looked away.
She began to read him his rights.
All right, he said with a sigh. You arent going to believe me. I was meeting him here.
To buy drugs?
No. He looked insulted. Its a long story.
We seem to have time. She motioned to a downed tree not far from the body but deep enough in the trees that if the killer was still out there, he wouldnt have a clear shot.
Jordan sighed as he sat down, dropping his head in his hands for a few moments. When I was in high school my best friend hung himself. At least thats what everyone thought, anyway. I didnt believe he would do that, but there was no evidence of foul play. Actually, no one believed me when I argued there was no way Tanner would have taken his own life.
People often say that about suicide victims.
Yeah. Well, a few weeks ago, I got a call from He looked in the direction of the body, but quickly turned away. Alex Winslow.
Is that the victim?
He nodded. Alex asked if I was coming back for our twenty-year high-school reunion.
You were? She couldnt help her surprise.
He gave her an are-you-kidding look. I told him no. Thats when he mentioned Tanner.
Alex Winslow told you he was looking into Tanners death?
Not in so many words. He said something like, Do you ever think about Tanner? He sounded like hed been drinking. At first I just thought it was the booze talking.
He told her about the rest of the conversation, apparently quoting Alex as best as he could remember.
Man, it would take something to hang yourself, Alex had said. Put that noose around your neck and stand there balancing on nothing more than a log stump. One little move Who would do that unless they were forced to? You know, like at gunpoint or I dont know, maybe
get tricked into standing up there?
What are you saying?
Just what if he didnt do it? What if they killed him?
They? Who?
Dont listen to me. Ive had a few too many beers tonight. So, are you sure I cant talk you into coming to the reunion? Even if I told you I have a theory about Tanners death.
What theory?
Come to the reunion. Call me when you get into town and Ill tell you. Dont mention this to anyone else. Seriously. I dont want to end up like poor old Tanner.
That could have just been the alcohol talking, Liza said when he finished.
Thats what I thought, too, until he wanted to meet at the falls after dark. Something had him running scared.
With good reason, apparently. Alex Winslow is a former friend?
Jordan nodded.
You werent just a little suspicious, meeting in the dark at a waterfall?
I thought he was being paranoid, but I played along.
You didnt consider it might be dangerous?
No, I thought Alex was overreacting. He was like that. Or at least he had been in high school. I havent seen him in twenty years.
Why, if he knew something, did he wait all these years?
Jordan shrugged. I just know that Tanner wouldnt have killed himself. He was a smart guy. If anything he was too smart for his own good. I figured if there was even a small chance that Alex knew something He glanced over at her. Apparently, Alex had reason to be paranoid. This proves that there is more to Tanners suicide.
She heard the determination in his voice and groaned inwardly. This proves nothing except that Alex Winslow is dead. But Jordan wasnt listening.
Also it proves I wasnt such a fool to believe Alex really did know something about Tanners death.
She studied Jordan for a moment. Did he say something to you before he was shot?
His gaze shifted away. I cant even be sure I heard him right.
What did he say?
Shelby.
Shelby?
He nodded. We went to school with a girl named Shelby Durran. She and Tanner were a couple. At least until Christmas our senior year.
HUD HAD JUST RETURNED with the kids when he got the call about the shooting.
Go, Dana said. Ill be fine. Stacy is here. She said shed have the kids help her make dinner for all of us.
He mugged a face and lowered his voice. Your sister cooking? Now thats frightening.