Page 65 of Fear of Flames
“The original charges,” Miles Beuford replied, “were brought on by the State of Indiana as Attorney General Oaks can confirm. There was not a trial. The state prosecutor determined that he didn’t have enough evidence to convict. As for double jeopardy, today we’re talking about state charges; however, depending on the evidence presented to the grand jury, and the decision of the Massachusetts’ attorney general, we could be looking at federal charges. The Supreme Court ruled that a state conviction or acquittal doesn’t prohibit subsequent federal prosecution.”
“This isn’t real. This can’t be real.” Michelle’s glassy eyes turned to Fletch. “What do I do?”
He lowered the volume on the streaming press conference and reached for her trembling hands. They were ice to his touch. “You stay here, with me.”
“And let everyone think I killed my parents—that I’m a serial arsonist.” She dropped her chin as her shoulders bowed forward. “I can’t.”
“Listen to me,” Fletch said, squeezing her hands in his. “You didn’t do any of what they’re saying. Hell, I’m guiltier than you.” The struggle in Michelle’s gaze filled Fletch with fury. He let go of her hands, released her shoulders, and stood, his chair sailing backward at his sudden movement. “I’m going to clear your name, Chell.” His volume rose. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll clear your name. If I go to hell, I’m fucking taking Sheriff Perkins with me.”
She stood, her lip trembling. “They think…I killed...” Michelle shook her head. “I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.”
Fletch cupped her cheek. “I know that without a shred of doubt.”
“But...” She backed away, her eyes unfocused. “Eight years ago…” Tears fell down her cheeks. “…the accusations and questioning… it was horrible. I can’t go through that again.”
“You won’t.”
“Then it was Mom and now it’s Dad.” She inhaled. “You were in Iron Falls. You know I didn’t kill my father. I didn’t set the fire. Hell, if I had, I would have taken shoes.”
Fletch nodded. “I’ll go to Peterson right away. With the agency’s help, we’ll clear your name.”
“I should have admitted I was there when the sheriff called for me.”
“No,” Fletch said adamantly. “Chell, he would have killed you. I’m one hundred percent certain of that.”
“But I ran. That looks guilty.”
“Only because of the way they’re painting it. We will find the real evidence.”
Michelle clutched her chest. “The paper trail your associate made for me…what would they find if they check with Greyhound or American Airlines? Would they confirm my tickets and travel or is it another example to make me out to be more of a liar?”
“They’d find your tickets. If they scanned cameras and security, they wouldn’t be able to find your image boarding or deboarding.” Before she could speak, he added, “And that’s not unusual. There are a lot of people at those gates. The paper trail would be backed up by the manifests.”
She wrapped her arms around her midsection. “I hate that I lied. I’m afraid it will make me appear guilty when I’m not.”
Her wide eyes had the haunting shadows Fletch wanted to chase away.
Michelle let out a long sigh. “Can I...? I want to help clear my name. Tell me what to do.”
“First, we need to prove that someone else shot Denny.” He wiped a tear from her cheek before wrapping his arms around Chell and pulling her to his chest.
Chapter
Thirty-One
“You may use your cell phones now.”
Ali and Kenzi hadn’t waited for the announcement. The second the wheels hit the tarmac, they both took their phones out of airplane mode. Even in silent mode, their phones vibrated with incoming notifications.
It was as they walked up the jet bridge that Ali’s phone vibrated with an incoming call. She lifted it and looked at the screen. “Oh shit,” she said. “It’s Greta.”
Greta Erikson was the producer of Crime Daily Podcast.
Ali hit the green icon. “Hey, Greta, what’s happening. You knew Kenzi and I were traveling today.”
“Is Kenzi with you?”
“Yeah, she’s right here.”
