Page 142 of What She Saw
“This witness says you weren’t working alone. You had help.”
“I did?” He waggled his eyebrows. “All this time, and now you have evidence that I had an accomplice. Sounds compelling.”
“It makes sense, if you think about it.”
“How so?”
“You never told anyone where the bodies were buried because I don’t think you know where they are.”
“Really?”
“Without the bodies, you stayed off death row. You get lots of media and law enforcement visitors over the years hanging on your every word. You stay a little relevant. And I hear you’re a big deal here.”
He looked amused. “Is this the moment you ask me where they are?”
“You aren’t listening. I don’t think you know where they are. Whoever helped you knows, but that person never told you.”
He grinned. His teeth weren’t as white as in his old promo pictures, but the smile was still electric. “Then if I’m so worthless, why come here?”
“I wanted to meet you.”
“Why?”
“I’m using every new detail I’ve learned to find those bodies.”
He bunched up his lips as if stifling a laugh. “You’re so sure of yourself, Sloane. Positivity is good, even if it’s misguided.”
“I don’t do false bravado, Mr. Colton. This story isn’t my first rodeo.”
He shook his head. “You remind me of him.”
“Who?”
“Your daddy. You don’t look like him, but you’re as cold as he was. Guy had a lead heart.”
“Ah, dear old Dad. Serving life for a triple murder. When did you meet Larry?”
“I was at the diner. The festival was just an idea, and Patty was pregnant with you. Larry came in.”
His lawyers had told the story of Patty and Colton’s first meeting. According to the defense attorneys, Larry had been harassing Patty, but Colton had come to her aid.
If Patty had been the only missing woman, that tidbit would’ve helped Colton. But Patty wasn’t the lone victim. “Let me guess, he was mean to her.” I’d heard enough war stories from Sara.
“She wanted to make it work with him. But he was too nasty.”
I let him talk. I knew he was manipulating me, but I was curious about Larry. His DNA mattered more now.
“Did you know I helped Patty name you?”
I still didn’t respond.
“I grew up with a kid named Rick Sloane. I liked the guy. But he was a hell-raiser. Anyway, I must have been thinking about him whenyour mother was asking everyone in the diner for name suggestions. I tossed out Sloane. To my surprise, she grabbed it.”
“Good for her.”
“Rick died when we were about sixteen. He drove too fast and took too many chances. Took a curve too fast. Hit a tree and died on impact. There wasn’t much left of him to bury.”
“Burned to ashes.”
