She took a step back. “You’re right. Go ahead, Reid.”
He paused long enough to squeeze her hand. “I’ll tell him you’re watching so he knows you’re with him.”
She gave a jerky nod and touched the top of Parker’s head for courage. “I’ll be right here.” The words when he’s taken away refused to leave her lips. Had it really come to that? Arrest? Her boy behind bars for murder?
Reid and Augusta entered the interrogation room, and she ran with Parker around to the viewing room. She slipped into the booth and directed Parker to lie down in the corner.
She drank in the sight of her son and Reid. Both so alike in appearance, temperament, and their care for other people. While she couldn’t claim a hand in Will’s upbringing, she couldn’t imagine a son she could be prouder of. There was no way he was guilty of harming Lauren.
Augusta smiled at him and turned on the recorder. “So let’s go over the events officially. I’m going to read you your rights first before I ask you to answer any questions.”
Jane checked out mentally as Augusta went over the familiar rights list. Her gaze wandered to Scott on Will’s right at the table. Reid was scooted up close to Will on his left.
“Do you understand?” Augusta asked.
“Yes,” Will said in a nearly inaudible voice.
“How did you come to be fishing at the dock?”
“I was staying with Grandpa while my parents were out of town, but I was getting bored with playing video games so I asked him to drop me off for some fishing.”
“What time was this?”
“About one. I was hoping to catch some frogs. Grandpa was going to show me how to fry up frog legs. He was supposed to pick me up at six unless I called him sooner.”
“So you were at your house alone?”
“Yes, until Lauren showed up.”
“What time was this?”
“I’m not really sure. I wasn’t watching the time.”
Augusta looked at Reid. “According to your father, he spoke to you about four.”
“Then it was just a few minutes before that. Maybe three forty-five. I’d just gotten back to the house when Dad called.”
She glanced down at her notebook. “What happened when Lauren showed up?”
Jane had heard this part multiple times, and Will recounted the same details. Lauren had been yelling and waving some papers. She wanted to talk to Reid, then flew into a rage and attacked Will. Jane could only pray a judge would take that attack into account.
“So she started to strike you again, and you grabbed her arm?”
“Yes. She jerked her arm out of my hand and lost her balance. When she fell into the water, she came up mad and sputtering. I reached down and tried to help her up. The water was only to her waist or so. She wasn’t drowning or anything like that, but I wanted to help her. She started yelling at me again and told me to leave her alone. She smacked at my hand. So I ran away from the pier and went to the house.” His voice trailed off to a softer volume. “I shouldn’t have left, but she was yelling and screaming at me. Cursing too. It scared me.”
Her son was a strapping six-footer, but he was only fifteen. When a kid was that big, it was easy to forget his real age. Of course it scared him to have an adult berating him. Jane watched to see her detective’s reaction, but Augusta’s expression was neutral and interested. Scott frowned though and shook his head.
“Then what?” Augusta asked.
“I didn’t know what to do. I-I tried to call Grandpa, but he didn’t answer. He often doesn’t have his phone on him.” Will tipped up his chin. “You can check with him. His phone would show I called. I was rattled. Then Dad called. I told him what had happened, and that her car was still in the driveway. He instructed me to call 911, so I did. I waited until Officer Jackson arrived, and we went back out but couldn’t find her. You know the rest.”
“So you were watching the driveway?”
Will nodded. “I didn’t want to go back out until she was gone. She was yelling so much, and I wanted to be away from her.” His voice trembled. “I didn’t bring my tackle box back in. I ran off and left it on the dock with the fishing pole.”
The fishing pole! Jane saw the same thought register on Reid’s face.
He held up his hand. “Did Officer Jackson find the fishing pole on the dock?”
“He did. We took it into evidence.”
“Why would he have taken his tackle box and left the fishing pole? It’s clear he left everything.”
“Please, Mr. Dixon, I’ll ask the questions.” Augusta rose. “That’s all for now. We’re booking you for manslaughter, Will. That may be upgraded to murder as we investigate. The DA may weigh in also. I’m sorry. You’ll be detained in the juvenile center jail, and your attorney can ask for you to be released into your parents’ custody when we see the judge tomorrow. Good luck.” She had Will stand so she could cuff him again before she took him out to be transported.
Manslaughter.
Jane ran from the room to see Will one last time before he was taken away. He was pale and tears pooled in his eyes when he exited the room with Augusta.
“I didn’t do anything, Mom.”
She hugged him tightly. “I know, Will. I know. Stay strong. It’s just one night.”
At least she prayed it was only one night. Reid joined Jane and she threw herself against his chest and wept as Augusta led their son away.
Twenty
His son was in juvie for manslaughter.
The very thought was surreal, and Reid’s insides felt made of glass as he parked outside Elliot’s houseboat. Lamplight glimmered on the water and pushed back the shadows as he and Jane got out. If only light could drive away the shadows of fear in his heart.
“Elliot knows we’re coming,” he told her.
The door opened as they walked along the dock to the boat, and Elliot waved at them. “I’m ready for something to do. What’s going on? I heard a rumor at the coffee shop that Will was arrested for manslaughter. That can’t be right.”
“It’s all too true, I’m afraid,” Reid said. “That’s why we need your help.”
Elliot stepped aside to motion them in. “Man, that’s just wrong.”
His curly blond hair was patchy where the doctors had shaved his head for brain surgery after his injury. Though he was only twenty-five, he was one of the smartest people Reid knew.
The living room was decorated in a beach theme with coral and turquoise colors. The scent of hand sanitizer hung in the air like usual, and a large, industrial-sized bottle of the stuff sat beside the computer. There were neat stacks of computer magazines next to various computers.
Reid explained what had happened. “Someone is trying to frame him.”
“You sure you’re up to working? How are the headaches?”
“Getting better, ma’am. I have some special glasses that are helping me with computer work. I’ll spend every waking minute on it. I love that kid. What do you need from me?”
“Find out everything about where Lauren has been these past years. Who has she been with? What has she been doing? Has she made any enemies? She had a fake ID, and we have that name and the social security number she’s been using so that should make things easier.”