Page 42 of Forbidden Secrets
“You all know he pulled papers to run for county supervisor?”Sawyer asked.
“He’ll never get elected,” Owen scoffed.“Too much of a self-important dick.”
Walker snorted.“You’re forgetting how many self-important dicks get elected.”
Gage turned to Walker and Sawyer.“You knew him back then.Do you think Bradford could’ve been the one who assaulted Melanie?”
Sawyer nodded slowly.“Yeah, I do.”
Walker leaned forward, elbows on the table.“I knew him a little, and yeah, I wouldn’t put it past him.But if it was Bradford, why the hell would Neil Grafton destroy his own career to protect him?What kind of leverage or loyalty explains that?”He drummed his fingers on the table.“Grafton had a grudge against me, but I think fucking with me was a side benefit.Protecting the rapist’s identity was more important.”
“That’s what I want to find out,” Gage said.“I’m starting with Bradford.We’re looking for evidence of what he was up to the night of the assault, and any connection between him and Grafton.”
“Another element to consider, the Bradfords are plugged in socially and politically in this area,” Sawyer said.“George Bradford, Chase’s old man, was on the city council, even did a stint as mayor.In fact, he was mayor when all this went down.And when he stepped down as president of Sierra Valley Bank, he handed the reins to Chase.”
Gage cocked his head, considering.“Sheriff is an elected position.Let’s say George Bradford used his money and influence to support Grafton’s campaign.Grafton gets elected and owes him.Then the rape kit comes back and implicates George’s son.Grafton swaps out the name, pins it on Walker, and has the added bonus of putting a punk kid he sees as a troublemaker behind bars.”
Gage continued.“That tracks up to a point.But once Grafton’s career tanked, he still chose to protect the rapist’s identity.Even when it meant prison.You don’t take that kind of fall to repay a political favor.His career was already in the toilet, but he still chose to keep the name secret.There’s got to be a stronger motivation.”
Owen stacked the now empty platters and leaned back.“So where do Boner and Franklin fit in?”
“Not sure yet,” Gage admitted.“Bradford is our primary suspect, but we can’t rule out other possibilities.One of them could’ve been the assailant.Got wind she’s back in town and wanted to shake her up a bit, scare her into leaving again.”
Sawyer shook his head.“After you called me with that theory, I ran their records.At the time Melanie was assaulted, Franklin was in lockup in a cell in Oakland awaiting arraignment for auto theft.Boner was in Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego.He got kicked out a few months later for dealing weed.”
“Then they were hired,” Owen said.
“Exactly,” Gage replied.“Boner scopes her out, snaps a few pics to confirm it’s her, then they stage a break-in.Franklin’s job was to scare the hell out of her.Maybe they torch the barn if she didn’t get the message.”
“That fits,” Sawyer said.“Which means the person who assaulted her is still watching her.”
Gage’s jaw clenched.“That’s why we protect her.”
“Agreed,” Sawyer said.
“Luke Ballard’s coming out for a consult on installing a security system for her.He said he’ll work her in, but he’s a busy guy.”
Somewhere in the last twenty-four hours, Gage had crossed an invisible line.Not that he’d ever stood by when someone was in danger—but this wasn’t anyone.Melanie and Addy were more to him than just neighbors.They were his to protect.
The realization had crept in slow and steady, but now that it was here, it settled deep.And became unshakable.
Sawyer finished off his cider and set the empty glass back on the table.“The department will do what it can with extra patrols, but with you out on the edge of town, resources are limited.”
“Understood.”
“You got a plan?”Owen asked, leveling a steady gaze at Gage.“And how can we help?”
“We run our own investigation.Melanie sent me the spreadsheet.I’ve already done background checks on everyone listed.Besides Bradford, a few have records.One guy was picked up for domestic violence.I’m digging deeper into him.”
He paused, then added, “Next step is interviewing them.I’ll handle that.Any of the dudes could be her attacker and I don’t want Melanie talking to them alone.”
Sawyer lifted an eyebrow.A knowing look passed among the men.
“What?”Gage asked, annoyed.
“Some things you gotta learn the hard way,” Owen said, grinning.
Gage didn’t have time to deal with Owen giving him shit.“This is how it’ll work.Her spreadsheet’s the starting point.Once we ID the fucker who hurt her, we’ll deliver him to the sheriff tied up with a bow.”
