Page 33 of Say Now
You were on good terms with your brother.Arturo was a cop, but he made time to visit you regularly.What about when you were out of prison?Did you see each other a lot?Did you talk a lot to each other?
Alison found the report about Tommy’s most recent sentence.It was different from the others.He was on his best behavior the entire time, which was a new experience for him.She checked the start date of the sentence.He was incarcerated a month before his brother was killed.A rejection form was attached to the report—Tommy was unable to attend the funeral.
What happened, Tommy?You went to jail, then your brother died, and it changed your entire perspective on life?You’ve been on your best behavior since then?It must have affected you not being able to say goodbye to him.What did that do to you?
Then back to the information on Arturo.He and a small team of cops had entered a building to bust a drug ring, and it had turned into a shootout.Three were killed in total: one cop, Arturo.Multiple injuries on both sides.He'd died a hero.
Still, Arturo’s mother had sued the police department.Those files were confidential, but it looked like they had settled out of court.
Why did you sue?Negligence?Was there more to the case?Did Tommy know?
"So, what do we have?"Alison asked herself."A guy goes to prison, his brother is killed in the line of duty, but maybe there’s more to that?So, you are on your best behavior, bide your time, and then are released?To do what?Do you want to avenge him, Tommy?You can't get justice for Arturo, so do you get justice for all the victims he spoke to you about?Is that it?Are you out there killing people?Does that mean we should be focusing on the cases your brother worked?"
"He hasn’t checked in for the past two weeks," Claire said as she returned to the office."The parole officer doesn’t know where he is, and the cops have been notified about this already.A warrant is out for his arrest."
"Anything else for the parole officer?"Alison asked.
"He just said he was surprised by how easy Tommy was to work with.He hadn't worked with him before, but from talking to his colleagues, he expected him to be trouble.That's been the pattern every time he was released from prison, but he was the complete opposite of that.A model parolee.Do you think he could have just changed like that?"
"I think the death of his brother changed him.We don't know exactly how that changed him, but he obviously has a plan for his life.On one side of the spectrum, that could mean getting on with his life as a way to honor his brother, and on the other side, that might mean he is out for revenge and doesn’t want to do anything to put that in jeopardy.There’s a chance there was more to Detective Castellano’s death than meets the eye.I’d like to speak with the mother when we get back to Missoula.We’ll speak to Tommy first."
"Kent will speak to him the first chance he gets to try and take the credit for himself.I want this guy to be brought in, but I want to be the one to speak to him, and I have the feeling we’re going to need you there.I hate this.I really hate it."
"Yeah, I do, too," Alison said."We should be back there, so let’s do it."
"What?"Claire asked.
"You’re a good driver.Are you up for going through this storm instead of waiting it out?"
"What if we crash and wipe out?"Claire asked.
"What if Kent makes the arrest and all the credit goes to him?"
"Let me get my coat," Claire said
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It was like driving through an ocean of white.Snow fell all around them, and the wipers had a hard time keeping up.Every so often, they would both be startled by a car coming in the opposite direction.The lanes were wide, and the cars didn't come close, but they came as if from nowhere, metal ghosts.They’d only seen one car going in the same direction.It had come from behind and was going way too fast as it overtook them and disappeared into the white.They didn't see it again.
Alison wasn’t driving, but she could feel the car sliding from side to side as Claire tried to keep them moving ahead.She drove well under the speed limit, but it still felt far too fast.It felt like they had gone to a liminal place, not quite in the real world, but not in the afterworld either.They drove in a place between the two, sliding across the fine line between both worlds.
They knew their intended destination.They only had to get there.
Neither woman said a word as they drove.Claire concentrated only on the road, and Alison didn't do anything to distract her.It had been easier to drive in Butte when there were long ruts in the road that the wheels fit into—they were a guide.On the highway, there was only compacted snow.No lines, no road, nothing.
Alison wanted to call Derek and check in with him, hear his voice, but she didn't dare do anything other than hold onto the arms of her carseat.
The car slid a little more than usual, and Alison gasped.Claire reacted calmly, steering the car without it sliding in the opposite direction.
It felt like it took forever.The drive up to Butte had taken a little over twenty minutes.Alison checked her watch.They had been driving for an hour.
Then, a shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds, and it felt like a miracle.When Alison glanced at Claire, she was also smiling.
Then, there were more breaks in the clouds, and the snow didn't fall as heavily.The road became a little less slippery, and cars were visible up ahead.The tall buildings of Missoula had never looked so good.
Alison took a deep breath."Well done."
Claire nodded, her smile tight.They drove into the city, the roads far better there than in Butte.A lot of snow had fallen, but the plows and sanders had been out all night.Claire drove them straight to the station, hoping they got there in time to be a part of the interview with Castellano.
