so many secrets (BREAKDOWN Book 2) Page 13

  Dana sensed her excitement. It shimmered through Heidi and felt palpable. “That sounds lovely. You should run the idea past Mr. Duval and see what he thinks.”

  “I will. I’ve dreamed of it for a long time, but you know how that goes. You do well and coast along and, before you know it, another year has gone by.”

  “I do know,” Dana said. She’d done the same thing on her summer adventures, traveling. “Well, if you don’t want to be having this same conversation next year, you best do something about it. Talk to Mr. Duval and see what he has to say.”

  “You know what? I’m going to do that this weekend. And I’ve got this sugar-free recipe I’ve been wanting to try. It would be perfect for Mr. Duval. He has to watch his sugar, you know.”

  Expertise in exchange for sugar-free cupcakes. Sounded like a deal to Dana. “Good for you.” Dana smiled and left the bakery, certain Heidi was going to pick Troy Duval’s brain for hours this weekend. He’d be delighted. And so, too, would Heidi.

  Outside, Dana crossed the street through Downtown Square Park and wound through the cobblestone trails to a bench near the other side. Her stomach pitched in a series of twinges, so she grabbed an antacid tablet from the roll in her handbag and popped it into her mouth.

  Two young mothers pushed strollers near the fountain. They’d been high school seniors her first year here. Close friends then, and now. Loving seeing that, Dana reached for her phone. Sylvia’s parents intrigued her, and she’d spent the wee hours last night looking into their lives before Shutter Lake, but she hadn’t stumbled onto that special something that her instincts warned her was there. She needed more current insight, and so she dialed Renata Fernandez’s number.

  Renata had been running Sparkle since Sylvia’s death. Devoted to the job and to Sylvia and the standards she had set—or that everyone thought she’d set, being the Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year two years running. If anyone could offer insight into any of the Coles, it’d be Renata.

  “Sparkle Cleaning Service. Renata speaking. How may I help you?” Her thick accent sounded prevalent.

  “Renata, this is Dana Perkins.”

  “Yes, Dr. Perkins?”

  She was involved in some task. Her absence of focus was evident. “I wonder if I might have a moment of your time. It’s about Sylvia.”

  “Of course,” she said, fully focused now.

  “I’m a little confused about something and I was wondering if you could help me get it straight in my mind.”

  “If I can, of course.”

  “Sylvia was so independent.”

  “She was, yes. Determined to make her own way without help from anyone else.”

  “Then why were her parents always at Sparkle?” Renata had disclosed that in their prior discussion. Dana hadn’t really thought about the conflict until later.

  “She was their only child. Mrs. Cole, she loves to cook. She considers all of us who work for Sylvia her girls. So she cooked lunch for us many days. Mr. Cole, he delivered it.”

  “Zion Cole delivered lunch to you girls?”

  “Yes, a couple of times a week.” Renata paused, then added, “To be honest, it was a little nerve-wracking.”

  That stunned Dana. “Why?”

  “Don’t get me wrong. Mr. Cole was always very nice to us. He’s a kind soul…”

  “But…?”

  “But he asks many questions—especially to the new girls. All about their families and friends. It makes some of the girls a little nervous.”

  Dana processed that. “Did they fear for their jobs or something?”

  “Well, sure. Sylvia’s generosity with her employees is well known. It’s hard to get a job here. She had very high standards. The girls worried if they said the wrong thing, it would get them into trouble.”

  “I’m a little surprised he’d ask so many questions. Do you think he was just being kind?”

  “I thought it was just kindness, and his way of showing an interest in his daughter’s work. He and Mrs. Cole adored Sylvia. They would have given her the moon and stars if she’d wanted them.”

  She wouldn’t take anything from them. That much Dana knew from Vinn’s report.

  “We all love the Coles. They are very good to us,” Renata said. “Well, except for Josie.”

  “Josie?” Dana feigned ignorance.

  “You remember her. She was an exchange student who lived with the Windermeres and worked for Sylvia part-time. Beautiful girl.”

  Dana’s heart beat hard and fast. “Why did she quit?”

  “She didn’t say. One day, she just didn’t come to work. We heard later her family needed her back home.”

  “But Josie didn’t like the Coles?”

  “Oh, no, she did,” Renata said. “Josie loved Mrs. Cole. Mr. Cole, Josie thought, was a little too friendly. He never did anything he shouldn’t have done, but the way he looked at Josie bothered her. She wasn’t used to attention, I think, and she mistook his interest. When we talked about it, she seemed relieved. She said things like that are different in America than in Venezuela.”

  “Why would she quit without telling Sylvia?” That didn’t make sense to Dana.

  “Dr. Perkins, what’s she going to say? Your father is too nice? Too friendly?”

  “I can see where that would be an issue.”

  “Like I said, we talked about it and I explained he was just interested because he wanted to please his daughter. Josie was fine with him after that.”

  “No one said anything about it to Sylvia?”

  “Of course not. Sylvia protects us. She would have had words with her father. We couldn’t be the cause of trouble between her and her father.”

  And for that same reason, he had to have been just being nice, didn’t he? Flirting with a young girl wouldn’t be worth upsetting his only daughter over, and Sylvia, being independent and protective, would have been upset with him.

  Her mind settled, Dana checked her watch. Three-thirty. “Thanks for clearing that up for me, Renata. If you should think of anything else that might help…”

  “I will phone you, Dr. Perkins. We loved Sylvia and we miss her very much. She was good to us. Now, the Coles are being very good to us, too.”

  “So Mrs. Cole still cooks lunch for you girls?”

  “Oh, yes. She’s here a lot more since Sylvia is gone. I think being with us makes her feel closer to her daughter.”

  Renata likely was right about that. “What about Mr. Cole?”

  “He doesn’t come in at all. Mrs. Cole cooks in the kitchen here now, so he doesn’t need to deliver. She says he’s grieving Sylvia too hard. He can’t be at Sparkle knowing his daughter is no longer here. The pain is too raw.”

  A father feels he’s supposed to protect his daughter, and Zion had failed to protect Sylvia. It would be extremely difficult to be reminded of that when the guilt—justified or not—is already tearing him apart.

  Dana empathized in ways only someone who has lost those under her protection could understand. Poor soul was in for a rough couple of years. Maybe a rough lifetime.

  “Thanks, Renata.”

  “Anytime,” she paused. “Dr. Perkins, we girls have talked it over and we want you to know we do not think Vinn did this to Sylvia.”

  “Why not?”

  “We know the boy well. Murder is not his nature.”

  “Is there more?”

  “Sylvia was fond of Vinn. It had nothing to do with his parents. He was just a bright boy and she respected him for being determined to make something significant out of his life. With his parents, he wouldn’t have to do anything ever. But he didn’t want that. She respected Vinn very much. When he wouldn’t forgive her, it broke Sylvia’s heart.”

  “Forgive her for what?”

  “I do not know,” Renata said. “Sylvia would not talk about it, but she said she had hurt him and he wouldn’t forgive her. She cried, Dr. Perkins. Sylvia never cried, but she cried at hurting Vinn.”

  “So because
she cried you think he wouldn’t hurt her? Even though she hurt him?”

  “No. Because he respected her, too, and something happened, and he didn’t respect her anymore. That’s why I do not think he would do this.”

  A twisted crime of passion says he could have, though he didn’t.

  “Vinn is smart and he is sensible. He avoids people he doesn’t respect. He doesn’t kill them.”

  She had a point there. He would and had avoided Sylvia. Refused to talk. Just walked away. “Thank you, Renata, and thank the girls for sharing their thoughts.”

  Dana ended the call and gathered her things, then made her way to Main Street and crossed near the police station.

  Sylvia was an enigma. She was well liked but a blackmailer. Assertive and aggressive but so protective she’d confront her own father to protect her workers, or travel to a foreign country to make sure a worker was okay when she wasn’t positive the person was her worker. And she’d hurt Vinn and been so upset she had cried that he wouldn’t forgive her.

  Definitely a complicated woman.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Before the door closed behind Dana in the police station, Laney intercepted her. “Vinn’s parents are here. I’ve kept them out of sight.”

  “Okay.” Why this was significant, Dana didn’t yet know. “Haven’t they both been in every day since his arrest?”

  “Every day. His dad, sometimes twice a day. McCabe’s given them free access to Vinn. Figures it’s good for them and for the boy.”

  “I see.” She happened to agree, though McCabe’s opinion surprised her. She figured he would come down a little more hardline. Glad she was wrong, she waited for Laney to explain.

  “They already gave permission for you to talk to him, and now they’re willing to let me listen in.”

  “You told them you believe he’s innocent.”

  Laney nodded. “I still can’t say anything—their vulture lawyer, Morris Barton, expressly forbade it—but I will have the sound inside the room turned on. I wanted you to know it. The Bradshaws and I will be listening.”

  “You realize I should refuse.”

  “No, you shouldn’t. Because our goal isn’t to violate medical privilege, it’s to get Vinn out of jail.”

  “I have to tell him.”

  “Then tell him this conversation isn’t private. He understands that. Just don’t tell him his parents are listening. McCabe is with them. I’m going now, I just wanted to let you know first.” Laney lifted a finger. “Oh, and Vinn doesn’t know that Wade Travis has an alibi.”

  Dana passed her the cupcakes, and then opened the box. “I’m taking one to Vinn.”

  Laney hesitated only a second. “Fine.”

  Dana pulled one out of the box. “Heidi says they’re Connie’s favorites. Feel free to share. The rest are yours.”

  “Thanks.” Laney smiled. “Get him to talk to you Dana. He is our best chance for helping him.”

  “So I’m clear. You want me to keep the alibi information from Vinn?”

  “You’re free to disclose that we’re looking at Wade Travis on Sylvia’s case.”

  “I see.” She started to ask if that was true, but she really didn’t want to know.

  “Vinn’s waiting for you in the interview room.”

  “Okay, then.” Dana walked across the open expanse then down the hallway to the interview room. She opened the door. “Hi, Vinn.”

  “Dr. Perkins.” He groaned. “I know you’re not coming in here with a pumpkin cupcake you’re going to eat in front of me.”

  She laughed. “How did you know it’s pumpkin?”

  “Mom loves them.” He tapped his nose. “I know the smell.”

  Dana pulled a napkin from her tote and placed the cupcake on it on the table before him. “I hoped you’d like them, too.”

  “Love them.” He smiled the first genuine smile she’d seen from him. It did her heart good.

  He sank his teeth into the cupcake and mumbled an appreciative groan. “These are so good. Thanks for bringing me one.”

  “Say thanks to Deputy Chief Holt for letting me bring it in to you. She’ll hear you. This meeting isn’t private.”

  “Thanks, Deputy Chief Holt.” He paused to chew slowly. “You okay, Dr. Perkins?”

  “Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s not been one of the better days of my life. But tomorrow is another day, so that’s not important. You are what is important to me.”

  “You know, Dr. P., I’ve seen a lot of teachers love their students. But not like you. We talk about it all the time. You’re all about us. In everything.”

  “You guys notice that?”

  “Well, yeah.” He seemed amused that she wasn’t aware. “Everybody knows it.”

  “And that’s okay with you guys, right?”

  “Well, sure.” He seemed bewildered. “A lot of the kids don’t have anyone at home who believes in them, but it’s okay, because everybody knows you believe enough for the rest of the world.”

  Her jaw dropped loose. She shut it.

  He laughed out loud. “This is a kick. You have no idea how important you are, do you, Dr. P.?”

  She guessed her clueless expression gave her away.

  He guffawed. “Why do you think we study so hard? We stay out of trouble?”

  Dana wasn’t sure. She took a stab at it. “Because you’ll get put on restriction?”

  “No, they have to love us. They’re our parents,” he said then stilled. “You don’t. We don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “Me?”

  “You believe in us, Dr. P.” He was all kinds of serious now. “When Matt Tyler’s dog died, you sent him a sympathy card and wrote one of your corny sayings in it.”

  “That was a Plato quote.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Who does that? Pooch was just a dog to everybody else. But you knew he was Matt’s best friend. We all loved that dog.”

  “Matt told you about the card?”

  “He still carries it around in his backpack.” Vinn took another bite of cupcake. “We love those things you do.”

  “The corny sayings.”

  “The quotes,” he said. “That you do stuff for us you don’t have to do. It’s cool.”

  Dana was about to fall out of her chair. Students respect their principal. And fear being reprimanded by her. They don’t usually react like this, and she wasn’t sure it was a good thing. “So I should quit the quotes, then?”

  “No way.” He looked horrified. “We like them.”

  “Which one is your favorite?” Dana used quotes all the time. They conveyed a lot in a few easy-to-remember words.

  “The one about truth,” he said after thoughtful consideration, then polished off the rest of the cupcake.

  And that was her opening. She folded her hands together atop the table. “I’m glad you value the truth so much. It bodes well for your future.”

  For a moment, he had forgotten where he was and his circumstances, but that remark hit him like a ton of bricks. “I guess I’ve really disappointed you.”

  Dana avoided responding to the question. “Did you do what I asked and think today?”

  He nodded. “All day. Really.”

  “Good.” Dana pushed. “So are you ready to tell me who you’re protecting?”

  “Nobody.” The light in his eyes dimmed.

  There wasn’t as much defiance or resolve in his voice as there had been this morning. Remnants remained, but he was weakening. “Can I be honest with you, Vinn?”

  “You’re always honest, aren’t you?”

  “I try to be,” she said. “I guess a better word choice would have been blunt. Can I be blunt with you?”

  “Sure.”

  “It’s been a hard day, after a hard day. Actually, it’s been hard days since Sylvia was murdered, and I’m really worn out. And, putting it bluntly, I’ve had about enough of people and their secrets.”

  “I don't like secrets either,” he said, hurt shining in his eyes. �
��Mainly because they never stay secrets.”

  “I’ve treated you fairly, haven’t I?” she asked. Before he could respond, she shot another question to him. “Have I ever lied to you?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “I haven’t,” she said flatly. “Why do you think that is? Never mind. I’ll tell you why. I respect you, Vinn. I respect all of my students.”

  “I know. You tell us that all the time.”

  She frowned a rare frown. “So why are you disrespecting me?”

  “I’m not—“

  “You are,” she insisted. “I know Deputy Chief Holt is looking at Mr. Travis to see if he’s Sylvia’s killer. You even asked me if he did it. I know you didn’t do it. So why don’t you stop disrespecting me and tell me the truth?” Realizing her voice was elevating, she paused and calmed it. “This is your life, Vinn. Your whole life is being decided by you right now. And so far you’re not making wise decisions.” She raised her hands. “I don’t get it. You’re smart. Far too smart to settle for illogical decisions.”

  His eyes burned. “You don’t get it.”

  “Then explain it to me so I do.” She challenged him. “I want to get it. I’m wracking my brain trying to get it. Help me.”

  “I can’t!” he shouted.

  Dana leaned even further toward him. “Yes, Vinn. You can. Do it!”

  “It’s my mom. Okay? My mom!” He covered his mouth with his hands. “Oh, man. I can’t believe I…forget that. Dr. Perkins, forget that.”

  “You can’t believe you told me the truth?” Dana sat back and let the silence between them fill the room. “You’re a good son, Vinn. You’re protecting your mother. I get that. But I know you were seriously angry with your father. “

  “Who told you that?”

  “No one told me. I saw it. In everything you said, and in what you didn’t say.”

  “You’d be mad at him, too. He ruined everything.” Vinn shut his mouth, tightened his jaw. “This is all his fault.”

  “What exactly is his fault?”

  Silence.

  “Vinn?”