Page 42 of If She Stayed
“You wonder that if Janet and the other founding members were involved in that accident, it would explain why someone might want revenge after all these years."
“Seems like a stretch, I know.”
“Not too big of a stretch,” Kate said.“I came to the same conclusion, after all.”
"And it could explain why Janet was so terrified when she realized the book club members were being murdered," DeMarco added."She knew exactly what this was about."
The pieces were forming a clearer picture in Kate's mind.A group of women involved in a fatal accident, forming a book club shortly afterward, perhaps as a way to maintain contact and ensure their secret remained safe.Twenty years later, someone had learned the truth and decided to exact justice in their own way.
"The question is how he found out," Kate whispered back."After two decades, something must have happened to expose what they did."
Before DeMarco could respond, both women heard the soft sound of movement on the front steps.The noise was subtle, barely perceptible, but their trained ears picked it up without much trouble, even in the midst of conversation.Someone was approaching the house with deliberate stealth.
DeMarco immediately went silent and scooted further back into the kitchen, pressing herself against the cabinets where she would be completely hidden in gloom and shadow.Kate remained in the armchair but shifted slightly to ensure her weapon would be easily accessible while maintaining the appearance of casual relaxation.
The movement on the front steps continued for several seconds, suggesting someone who was taking time to observe the house and plan their approach.Kate could feel her pulse quickening as she waited, every sense heightened by the anticipation of confrontation.
There was no knock at the door.No announcement or attempt to gain entry through conventional means.Instead, Kate heard the soft click of the front door’s knob turning and then the door opening.This was followed by the barely audible sound of someone stepping into the house.Whoever had entered was moving with confidence, as if they belonged there or had done this before.Kate could hear soft movement in the front hallway, approaching the living room where the single lamp created a pool of warm light.
And then a figure appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the darker hallway.
Kate could see it was a man of average height and build, carrying what appeared to be a canvas bag in his right hand.He moved toward her with purpose, clearly expecting to find Janet Klein in the chair where Kate now sat.When he saw a woman sitting in front of the television, he moved quickly into the room, his hand reaching into his bag.Kate briefly wondered what he had, and what book Janet was currently reading.
As he stepped into the circle of lamplight, Kate smoothly drew her Glock and pointed it directly at him."Federal agent.Stop right there and take your hand out of that bag."
The man froze instantly, his body going rigid with shock and surprise.In the soft light of the lamp and muted television, Kate could see his face clearly for the first time.He was probably in his late fifties, with graying hair and deep-set lines around his eyes.His expression was one of complete bewilderment.
"Wait," he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine confusion."You're not Janet."
Kate kept her weapon trained on him while studying his face.There was something broken about his expression, a deep sadness that went beyond the immediate shock of being caught."That’s a keen observation,” Kate said.“Now, why don’t you tell me why you’re here?"
The man's hands began to tremble, and Kate could see tears forming in his eyes."She… she needs to pay.All of them need to pay for what they did."He was trembling, perhaps aware that he had been caught.
"Pay for what?"Kate asked, maintaining her firm grip on the Glock while keeping her voice calm and controlled.
Tears began flowing freely down the man's face, and his voice broke as he spoke.H continued to shake, so much that Kate could hear his teeth clinking together."They killed my son.You… you have to know that, right?They killed him.Twenty years ago, they killed Brandon and left him to die alone in the dark.He crawled fifty feet trying to get help, and they just drove away like he was nothing.Nothing!"
Kate felt the weight of his grief fill the room.This was a father who had lost his child and spent two decades living with that pain, and now she could see the full scope of his anguish in his expression.And, as it turned out, the news article DeMarco had found turned out to be tied directly to the case after all.
"My boy was seventeen years old," he continued, his voice becoming stronger despite the tears."He was walking home from a friend's house when they hit him.They were drunk, but they didn't stop.They didn't call for help.They let him die alone."
Kate kept her weapon steady while processing this information.She had no real worry that this man would try to hurt her.If anything, he may be to the point where he might hurthimself."What's your name?"
"Robert Fisher.Brandon Fisher was my son."
"Mr.Fisher… I understand your pain.I unders—”
“No… there’s no way you can,” he interrupted.
But Kate went on.“But you've murdered three innocent women.I promise you that we will work to find Janet Klein and question her about what happened to Brandon.But right now, you have to pay for whatyou’vedone.I have to arrest you for the murders of Margaret Carlisle, Jennifer Haynes, and Eleanor Whitman."
Robert's expression hardened with renewed determination."I don't care what you do to me.I…really don’t.I'll come quietly just as long as Janet pays for what she did to my boy."
Kate shook her head."I can't promise you that.What I can promise is that we'll investigate what happened to Brandon and pursue justice through proper legal channels.And if Janet will admit to what she did or if we can find proof, then shewillsee repercussions."
The denial hit Robert like a physical blow.His face contorted with rage and frustration as twenty years of suppressed anger erupted to the surface.He kicked over the coffee table beside him, sending magazines and remote controls clattering across the floor.Kate got to her feet in a flash, the gun still trained on Fisher.
"Proper legal channels?"he shouted."Where were your proper legal channels twenty years ago when they covered up my son's death?Where was justice when they went on with their lives and their precious fucking book clubs while Brandon rotted in the ground?"
