Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Listening to him explain things, I can understand why he was convinced that his friend killed his wife, but that doesn’t change the facts. It wasn’t Beau’s DNA found on the knife that killed Alice, but Charles’, and there was no reason for Charles’ DNA to be inside Alice and Greg’s apartment. None of them were friends, and as far as anyone knew, they didn’t even know each other back then.
After I explain all the evidence that we have against Charles, including DNA, I tell him that we will be moving forward with presenting our case to a judge and charging him for Alice’s murder. The moment I give him that news, he breaks down into tears and tells us that when the detectives told him that they believed that Beau killed his wife, he didn’t believe them, but as the weeks went on and they didn’t have another suspect, he began to question if they were right. Not only was he dealing with the loss of his wife, but he was also questioning if someone he had known most of his life was capable of murder.
“You’ll have to forgive me; this is dredging up a lot of old feelings,” Greg says, wiping his eyes. He looks absolutely wrecked, and I can’t blame him. He just relived the worst day of his life and got news that he likely never thought he’d get.
“That’s understandable,” Mary tells him softly, glancing over at me before focusing back on him. “We know that there will never truly be closure for you in this situation, but we hope that we can at least help you get the justice that Alice deserves.”
“I want that.” He shakes his head and then looks up at me. “I’m guessing that you’ll meet with her sisters at some point.”
“We have a meeting scheduled with them tomorrow.”
“They won’t be easy to convince. They think that I killed her, and I’m not sure that they will ever change their minds about that.” More wetness fills his eyes. “I was young and stupid, and at times, I wasn’t the best boyfriend or husband, but I loved Alice and would never have hurt her.”
“You let us worry about them,” I tell him gently, and he nods.
“Maybe when this is done, my son, Alice’s son, can build a relationship with her family. He’s never had that, and I know there are times that he feels like he’s missing out.”
Shit, that feels like a punch to the gut. His son is not a baby anymore, he’s a grown man who has lived a whole life without his mother or at least having the connection to her through her family. Because of what Charles did, they missed out on so much time together, and there is no getting that time back, regardless of what changes now.
“I hope so.” I stand, and he does the same.
“Thank you.” He holds out his hand, and I take it in mine.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Groden.” I let his hand go and walk him to the door. “I’ll be in touch later this week.”
“I’m looking forward to that.” He says before he leaves.
“You okay?” Mary asks, and I turn to face her while letting out a breath.
“That was more difficult than I thought it would be.”
“Charles ruined a lot of lives.” Her expression is filled with empathy.
“He did.” I agree quietly. “Hopefully, we can right at least one of his wrongs.” And not just for Alice, but for the people she left behind that suffered the most from her loss.
CHAPTER 20
Francisca
I listen to my cell ring in my purse, unable to answer it with both of my hands weighted down with shopping bags as I make my way down the sidewalk to my apartment. By some miracle, I manage to get my key in the lock and the door open without setting anything down and kick it shut behind me.
Avoiding PJ jumping around at my feet, I make my way quickly to the kitchen and sigh in relief as I drop everything on the counter. I wasn’t planning on stopping anywhere after my doctor’s appointment, but then I remembered that neither Dayton nor I had much to choose from in terms of breakfast options this morning. Even the basics, like coffee and creamer, were running low, so I decided to make a quick stop at the grocery store. And since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and was starving as I pushed my shopping cart around the store, I ended up buying a whole bunch of snack foods on top of the stuff we actually needed.
After giving PJ the attention he’s hopping around at my feet for, I take a pack of cookies out of one of the bags, opening it up but leaving everything else on the counter since I’ll take it upstairs with me when I go up to Dayton’s later. I shove one of the cookies in my mouth, then take out my phone and roll my eyes when I see the missed call is from Matthew. I don’t want to call him back, but a few days ago, he told me that he was closing on his loan and that he would have my money for me soon.