29
Ruth Anne
Edmonds, Washington – 2018
Sittingon the couch in my living room with Salvador, my stomach pitched. I thought back to that day when I identified Eddie as my sister’s killer. Out of the five men in the lineup, Eddie was the only one with a tattoo. Wayne Montgomery hadn’t even been an option.
“Ruthie?” Salvador asked. “Are you okay?”
A bolt of indignation shot up my spine. “How could it have been Wayne? He was in jail that night Cheryl died.”
Salvador shook his head. “He was arrested that morning, but he got out on bail that evening, a fact both the prosecution and defense missed.”
“How? How did they not check that?”
“I don’t know. I suppose once Eddie was listed as the key suspect, all other leads were abandoned. As far as Eddie’s attorney, he was probably so focused on proving Eddie’s innocence that he didn’t have the time or resources to pursue other suspects.”
My head pounded. Was Eddie actually innocent? Had I sent an innocent man to jail?
At the trial, Eddie’s defense attorney claimed the sheriff had unfairly targeted Eddie from the beginning. While it wasn’t unusual for authorities to focus their investigation on those closest to the victim, the sheriff’s exclusive focus on Eddie prevented them from pursuing other suspects, including Wayne Montgomery.
Eddie’s defense attorney cited that the sheriff was influenced by previously held beliefs due to Eddie’s prior arrest and some conflict with the football team. The fact that it was an election year was also cited as reason for the sheriff narrowing his investigation. For the first time in years, the sheriff was facing competition, and he didn’t want to lose. Securing a quick conviction would give voters a sense of security that their streets were safe thanks to Sheriff Enquist.
The prosecutor objected, stating that the only other suspect was Wayne, and he’d been in jail at the time of the murder. The DA had even submitted an arrest report to prove his point.
“I just can’t believe that nobody requested a report regarding Wayne’s release,” I said, feeling sick.
Salvador took a deep breath. “I know. Brandy told me this isn’t the only case where that happened. I suppose it never occurred to anyone that someone like Wayne could make bail so easily.”
Tears burned my eyes. Eddie was innocent. Wayne, not Eddie, had killed my sister and raped me. Wayne had gone free while Eddie had been in prison all this time.
And this was my fault. My fault.
“Ruthie.” Salvador scooted closer to me as tears rolled down my face.
“I was so certain it was him.”
“I know. You made an honest mistake.” He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away. The guilt of what I’d done was something I’d have to live with for the rest of my life. I’d ruined a man’s life. After trying to be so careful, I still chose the wrong man.
On the witness stand during the trial, I pointed at Eddie and said I was 100 percent positive he was the man in the kitchen that night. My confidence gave the jury no other option but to convict.
Now there was nothing Salvador or anyone else could do to ease my guilt. I’d done something unforgivable that would haunt me the rest of my life.