Shielded In The Shadows

Bill was already expecting an in-person visit sometime, so his showing up wouldn’t send up any alarms at all, where a phone call asking questions might.

Bill was due at work at eight in the little town just north of Santa Raquel where he was currently renting a trailer from a friend until he found a little place to buy. He still had money, savings that had been his part of the divorce settlement, but while it was enough for a down payment, it wasn’t enough to support him.

Unlike some of Jayden’s parolees, Bill had friends who were upstanding members of society, respectable family men. Friends from high school. Clients who’d always come to his shop for any of their car repair needs. People who trusted him.

Right now, what Jayden cared most about was making sure that Bill continued to trust him. He figured if he showed up right before Bill had to leave, he could ask a few questions, as he always did on visits, and let the other guy get on his way. Show Bill that it was just a cursory stop-by, because he was required to make them, not because he believed Bill might act out.

Then he’d check for any ice cream shops, or shops that served ice cream, in the area. He’d already done a search for shops near the areas Bill had been during the two visits that had him near Suzie during critical times, and come up with two. He’d be on both of those later that morning.

In jeans and a T-shirt, Bill was just locking up the door of the trailer when Jayden pulled up. Jayden’s car wasn’t fancy. A dark blue sedan, four-door, relatively new. But nothing like the sports cars Jayden had driven as a young adult. He still owned one, garaged at his parents’ house down south, but he only kept it because his father, who’d purchased it for him, had begged him not to sell it.

He met Bill at the door of Bill’s truck—an older red pickup that he’d paid cash for upon his release. Bill had sold the newer pickup he’d owned before his incarceration rather than pay to have it stored and have to make truck payments while in jail. The man was responsible.

Accountable.

“Hey, Officer,” Bill greeted him, holding out his hand for a shake.

Jayden noted the strength of Bill’s grasp, tight enough to show familiarity, comfort, affection, confidence, but not so tight that it gave hints of aggression, power, control.

“How’s it going?” Jayden asked, squinting against the rising sun. It was piercing in spite of the sunglasses he wore.

“Good.” Bill shrugged. “Can’t complain.”

He could. Living in a trailer instead of the three-bedroom home he’d once owned. But he didn’t.

“Doing a quick check, like we talked about,” Jayden said, keeping to the point, like it was all just red tape. “Give me some alibies about a few random places on the location app and we’re good to go.”

“Let me have ’em,” Bill said. He stood with a hand on his door handle, a hand at his side, looking at Jayden straight-on.

He named a location not far from Bill’s home.

“A taxidermy place,” Bill said immediately. “I caught a twenty-five-incher six weeks ago and had it mounted. I can show you the fish and the paid receipts.”

“When you get a chance—” Jayden nodded “—just email a copy.”

“I’d do it now, ’cept I’m not going to be late to work. You’ll have ’em tonight.”

Jayden then named one of the Santa Raquel addresses.

“A park I used to go to with Suzie. We carved our names in a tree there, a long time ago. I was having a rough night, thought about drinking, and went to take a look at the tree instead. To remind myself why I’m where I’m at and how much I know I ain’t never goin’ back. I bought a hot dog from a vendor there. And took a picture of the tree on my phone.”

He pulled out his phone as he was speaking, and showed it to Jayden, who noted the time stamp. And then Bill scrolled farther. “Here’s the fish, too,” he said.

“Wow, that’s a nice one!” Jayden asked what kind of bait he’d used and what time of day it had been.

And then he asked about an address closer to LA.

“An autobody shop,” Bill said. “I was there on official business, picking up some parts for work. I’ll take a picture of my time card when I get to the shop and send it to you.”

It wasn’t necessary, but Jayden didn’t say so. He wanted Bill to be accountable. To be able to feel accountable.

He gave one more non-alarming address and then the other Santa Raquel one.

“You know I haven’t been to Suzie’s house,” Bill said, giving him a more pointed look.

“I do. But you were arrested for breaking and entering in Santa Raquel. You aren’t currently living there. I have to check...”

Bill nodded. Frowned. “I was looking at a place,” he said. “It’s for sale. It’s right off the freeway, needs some work, but I can afford it.”