Page 64 of Deadly Scandals

I rolled my eyes as the car left the parking lot. “Whoever he is, he’s a creeper. And April knew him. What’s your take on April? You knew her well.”

Mia shrugged her shoulders and settled on some Latin pop station. “I mean, I didn’t know her too well. She was older than me and could go to bars. I met Grant when I was just seventeen. April and Mitch already had kids by then. We just had different lives. But she and Mitch were always hot and cold. Always off and on. It was drama all the time.”

I nodded. That gave me nothing.

I zoned out to the Latin pop and watched the landscape change from Southern California greenery to barren desert.

A few hours into the trip, we stopped at a gas station. We perused the exciting dining choices. I picked a Slim Jim and a Red Bull, while vegan Mia chose Chile Picante Corn Nuts and an iced coffee.

As we got back into the car, Mia’s face turned into a sad smile.

“What?”

She sighed. “Oh, nothing. Grant and I stopped here on our way to get married.”

Ah, the memories. “Yeah, that shocked me. Last I heard before that, he hated you.”

“Well, he had every right to. But Vegas really changed everything for me. After we got married, on the way home to San Diego, Grant told me something that changed my life.”

My interest piqued. “What was that?”

“That Joaquín had been there that night, at the party where I was raped.”

“Right. That must’ve been devasting for you.”

Her mouth twisted. “Well, I didn’t want to believe it. I still don’t.”

My breathing slowed. “You don’t still think he’s innocent? Come on now. He confessed. He kidnapped you. And your son.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I know. It’s not that.”

“What, Mia. What is it?”

“Well, Grant said April had told Mitch that she’d seen Joaquín at the party that night. Just weird, because now we know April is shady.”

What the fuck—

My breathing accelerated. “Wait, Mia. Stop. Only April saw Joaquín? And you don’t remember anything?”

She shook her head. “I remember taking a drink. I didn’t see my brother. I remember waking up to Mitch standing over me. I plunged my heel into him. But no, I don’t remember Joaquín. Of course I don’t. I’ve tried to recapture that memory even through hypnosis and still, nothing.”

“Did Mitch see Joaquín?” I couldn’t even believe the implications of this revelation.

Mia shook her head. “No. Not at all. He saw someone with Joaquín’s height and build run past him wearing a hoodie. And Joaquín confessed so…it is what it is.”

So, nothing. Oh my God. I couldn’t believe I never checked this. I normally verified everything. I grabbed my phone and dialed a number. Meeks picked up on the first ring.

“Pierce. What are you up to now?”

“Nothing. Hey, look. I need you to do something for me. Can you get me the log of the SEALs on base in Yuma on the night Mia was raped?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Uh, Mia is in the car with me. She just wanted to check what time Joaquín left Yuma.”

“Sure thing. Hold on. I’ll pull it up.”

After the most agonizing wait, Meeks spoke into the phone. “Weird. We have no record of Joaquín leaving the base that night. But I’m sure he had it doctored.”

My spine chilled, but I didn’t want to let him in on my suspicions. “Yeah, I’m sure he did. He’s smart enough to cover his tracks.” But logs aren’t maintained by SEALs—they are done electronically. “Hey, can you tell me who left?”

“Sure can. Your buddy Mitch left, and, a few minutes later, Paul Thompson exited. Joaquín was allegedly on base the entire time.”

“Got it.” My voice cracked. “Thanks, Meeks.”

Paul Thompson.

Paul Thompson left after Mitch.

Could Paul Thompson have raped Mia.

Then why was Joaquín lying and saying he did it? Why would he confess to a crime he didn’t commit, go to prison, and ruin his relationship with his sister?

I didn’t know, but I would find out. All I did know was that, against all odds, Mia may be right.

Joaquín could be innocent.

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