Page 27 of Deception

She jutted her jaw out. “There’s no way my grandfather shot himself. He simply would not do that. Where did it happen?”

“In his study.”

“Can I see the crime scene?”

“I’m sorry, but the park service has no jurisdiction here.”

“I understand that, Chief Nelson, but I’m an ISB ranger with more than enough experience in investigating crimes.” Her voice was soft but firm. “I’m in Natchez working a joint investigation with FBI agent Hugh Cortland, and I may be able to help you—no one else here knows that room the way I do.”

The chief studied her for a minute and nodded. He turned to Clayton. “What’s your interest?”

“Just moral support for a friend.”

Nelson continued to study them both. “Very well. Follow me.”

Clayton’s shoes echoed on the polished wood floor as he followed Madison and Nelson into a huge entry hall. “Have you called the marshal assigned to Judge Anderson?”

The chief paused at the hall doorway and turned to face them. “Just before you arrived, I called both the marshal and Hugh Cortland. I informed them it appeared to be a self-inflicted wound, but I’m sure they’ll conduct their own investigation if it proves otherwise. At this point, they’re deferring the case to me.”

“What makes you think he shot himself?” Madison asked.

“The position of the gun. It looks as though after he fired the gun, it fell to the floor less than two feet from his chair. And there’s a note.”

She froze as the chief handed her a plastic bag with a paper in it.

“We found it in his printer.”

Madison. I’m so sorry to do this, but with Sharon dead, I can’t go on. Please accept this decision. Love, Granddad

She stared at the note. “My grandfather did not write this. I would bet my life on it.” She raised her head. “If he had intended to take his life, he would have written a personal note, not typed it on a computer.”

“I know this is difficult—”

Madison crossed her arms. “I never, ever called him Granddad. And when he wakes up, he’ll tell you who shot him.” She looked toward the kitchen. “Where’s Nadine? She’ll tell you the same thing.”

“In the kitchen. One of my officers is trying to get her complete statement, but so far all she’s managed is that you had dinner with him. By the way, I’ll need your statement as well before you leave.” He took out a notepad. “Can you tell me what his emotional state was when you left him?”

“He seemed fine, although he was upset that a man he’d sentenced to Parchman had been murdered yesterday. And he mentioned something about the man’s brother making threats against him.”

Pete winced. “Blake Corbett and his brother, Aaron.” The chief rubbed the back of his neck. “Did he think Aaron might show up here?”

“He wasn’t too worried about it—said this place was like a fortress, and he had his .38.” She furrowed her brow. “Thinking back to dinner, Grandfather was a little unsettled, but nothing that indicated he might take his life. I can’t believe he shot himself. I want to see the room.”

Without waiting for an okay, Madison brushed past Nelson and hurried down the hall to a room at the end. At the threshold, she hesitated.

“Wait, Madison.” Clayton hurried to catch up. After what she’d already been through tonight—coming face-to-face with a Jane Doe who could be her twin—he didn’t want her walking into the room without someone by her side. She turned, and the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her face underscored her vulnerability.

“What?” The question came out more a whisper.

“You don’t have to do this. Chief Nelson is very competent. I promise, he won’t miss anything, and I’m sure Hugh will be here tomorrow with a crime response team.”

“No, he won’t, not if the chief rules it attempted suicide.” Madison wavered, then squared her shoulders. “I have to do this. No one knows his study the way I do except Nadine, and it sounds like Nadine isn’t able to help. If anything’s out of place, I’ll know it.”

17

Weight pressed on Madison’s shoulders. Clayton seemed to sense the sudden dread that filled her. Did he think she couldn’t handle it?

Could she? This was the only grandfather she’d ever known. Her heart faltered. It’d be so easy to let Nelson take care of it. No one would blame her. Except ... because of the note, the chief believed her grandfather had shot himself. If a piece of evidence contradicted what he believed, he might dismiss it, not on purpose but because it didn’t fit his preconceived idea.

---