Max feared she’d let her affection for the couple yesterday and her frustration with her assistant cloud her judgment. She should have known better than to be brought into an investigation by grandparents. They usually meant well, but didn’t have much information or access to those who did.
“In your original letter, do you remember why you thought Jason’s death was something I’d be able to investigate?” Max phrased the question carefully. “Other than the fact that he was murdered at my old high school.” She didn’t want the Hoffmans to think that she wasn’t going to pursue this, but if she had to start from ground zero, she wouldn’t have the time, at least not for the next few months. She had several commitments, not the least of which was covering the Bachman trial back in New York City.
Penny brightened and said, “Oh, yes. I have a copy of the original e-mail I sent right here.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a slightly crumpled paper.
Max took the paper from Penny and unfolded it. The header showed that it had been sent two months ago to Max’s “hot line” e-mail reserved for information about cold cases or upcoming trials, on February twenty-sixth, three months after Jason’s murder, and two weeks after Ginger had been hired.
The opening didn’t give Max any information she didn’t already know, mostly background on Jason and the information that had been revealed in the press. But the second to last paragraph gave Max that sizzling twitch again, that there was something here she could work with.
I’m sure you get many letters like ours, asking for your help to solve a case the police feel is hopeless. I hope that the fact that Jason was killed at Atherton Prep will be enough to interest you into investigating this case. Even just a word from you on your show would give us hope—maybe someone will come forward with information if they see it on the national news.
I wasn’t going to write to you except for something my granddaughter said when she and her fiancé came to visit us. The police came to their house and questioned them about Sara, my daughter-in-law. Jessica said the questions were typical, and when I expressed concern Jessica changed the subject. She told Henry later that she hadn’t wanted to upset me, that she thought the questions coming so long after Jason’s murder was stranger than the questions themselves. And nothing came of it, so the police were probably trying to close off lines of inquiry or resolve something. We were heartened that the police were working again, except we still don’t have any news about what really happened to Jason. When we talked to our son, Mike, he said the police had no new leads and he feared they were going to stop looking into Jason’s death.
I just want to know why my grandson died.
Max asked the couple, “When was Jessica interviewed?”
Penny shook her head, but Henry answered. “A month before her visit. That’s why Jess thought the questions were strange, because they hadn’t heard anything from the police in two months, then the detective came to talk to her about her mother.”
“Did Jason have any problems with his mother or uncle?”
“No. Sara is a wonderful mother. And Brian, we’ve adopted him like he was our own son. He’s a little gruff and rough around the edges, but he treated Jason like he was his own son. Brian never married.”
“Was the construction company having any financial problems?”
“Construction is such a tough business right now, but they were scraping by. The contract with Atherton Prep to build the sports facility came at the right time. They already have offers for work when they’re done.”
That was the way it often was—land one choice job, the rest of the jobs came easier. And being affiliated with ACP where there were alumni who had money, Evergreen was probably set for life.
Max needed to run a background on Sara, her brother Brian, and Evergreen Construction. There could be secrets, and construction was one of those businesses that could draw in shady investors. She’d like to talk to Jessica first, but the girl was getting married next week. Except, if she waited Jessica would be gone on her honeymoon and Max couldn’t stay more than a few days. She’d have to think that through before she made her next move.
She really wanted to know what spurred the police to interview Jessica again two months after Jason’s murder. Something must have come up. DNA? Contrary to popular television, DNA testing often took months, particularly if there was no viable suspect. Most other lab results would take a few hours to possibly weeks, depending on the agency and the backlog. Or, it could be a standard follow-up on a case before being put in the inactive file—running through potential witnesses and statements and wrapping things up before the detective felt comfortable putting the case aside.
She said to the Hoffmans, “I can’t promise that I’ll adopt your grandson’s case, but I have a couple of days free and I’ll talk to the detective in charge. Whatever I learn, I’ll make sure you know. But you need to understand that there might not be any new information. The police may not have any suspects, or if they do but can’t prove it, they’re not going to share that with me.”
Penny nodded, wide-eyed. “Of course. I just really appreciate your time. I know you’re very busy.”
She dismissed that comment. Everyone was busy, she no more so than anyone else. “Do you have your son and granddaughter’s contact information? I may need to talk to them.”
“Yes, right here.” She pulled her wallet from her purse.
Henry put his hand on Penny’s, but looked at Max. “Mike isn’t going to appreciate us getting involved. I talked to him after Jess’s visit, and he was very angry that Jess had worried us. This is her wedding. I don’t want to ruin it.”
“Nor do I.” Max couldn’t tell him that what she learned wouldn’t impact Jessica’s wedding or divide their family. What she wanted and what usually happened whenever a murder was close to home rarely matched.
Henry seemed to understand. His eyes watered. Penny was a bit more clueless.
“I can walk away,” Max said. “Tell me now, and I’ll leave the case alone.”