Page 13 of Shadow of Justice
“What things?”
“Do you remember the last time you saw Ellie?”
Simmons’s easy demeanor shifted. He went rigid, his lips pursed tightly together.
Beside me, Sam’s text alert went off. He quickly silenced it, but the expression on his face as he read it turned sour.
“Why are you asking me that?” Simmons said. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well,” Gus said. “I have to admit. I didn’t realize you had a relationship with Ellie. I didn’t put two and two together until this morning. I wrongly assumed you were just her brother-in-law after the fact, you know? So while I have you here, I just want to maybe have you help me refresh my memory about a few things from back then. You know, just tie up some loose ends so I can put this case to bed once and for all.”
“Once and for all?”
“Sorry. Poor choice of words.”
“Detective, I really need to wrap this up. So if you could just let me know what it is you need from me, I can be on my way.”
Sam slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“What is it?” I whispered to him.
“Trouble. Maybe,” he said. “That was Deputy Ryan. I’ve had her keeping an eye on Hayden Simmons. Her mother showed up at her friend’s house twenty minutes ago. Ryan says they got into some kind of argument in the driveway. Hayden was really upset. Crying. She went back inside but Erin Simmons took off. Ryan decided to follow her. Erin Simmons just pulled into the parking lot outside.”
“She’s here?” I asked.
“I think I don’t want to talk to you anymore,” Simmons said to Gus. His face was flushed. He pulled at his collar.
“Mr. Simmons, there’s nothing to get excited about. I think we’re on the same side. I think we both just want to find out once and for all what happened to Ellie Luke. Don’t we?”
“Of course,” Simmons said. “But you’re making me increasingly uncomfortable.”
“That’s not my intention.”
“Then what is your intention?”
“Okay. I’ll level with you, Mr. Simmons. You seem like a smart guy. You clearly care a lot about your wife and her family. I can only imagine how tough it’s been for them after what happened to Ellie. And to go all this time without really knowing. To have her case go cold.”
“I’d say that’s your problem,” Simmons said. “I do remember talking to you all those years ago. It must eat at you. Knowing you couldn’t solve this case. Knowing you’re probably the reason her killer might still be out there somewhere.”
“Lord,” I said. “Sam, Gus can’t lose his temper. Simmons is goading him.”
“Gus can handle him,” Sam said. Sam’s phone rang. He answered it.
“Yeah,” Sam said. “We’ll be right down. Just stick her in the interview room across from Gus’s office.” He clicked off.
“Jamie?” Gus said. “I think maybe you weren’t completely honest with me today. I think maybe you and Ellie Luke were more than just classmates. You did more than just travel in the same social circles, didn’t you?”
Jamie Simmons vaulted to his feet. “We’re done here. I have nothing else to say to you unless I have a lawyer present.”
“Shit,” Sam muttered.
“Calm down,” Gus said.
“I will not,” Simmons said. “I know my rights. And I know the tone of your questions, Detective Ritter. This is an interrogation. You brought me here under false pretenses.”
There was a knock on the door behind us. Sam’s clerk poked her head in. “I’m sorry. But you really need to get out here.”
“Yeah,” Sam said. I hated to leave the observation room. Jamie Simmons hadn’t yet made good on his threat to walk, but he knew what Gus was after.
