Page 124 of Four for a Boy

“Anyone can be a serial killer.” Chad blurted. “Do you know who said that?”

“VW,” Eleanor whispered. “Vincent Whitehall.”

Chad nodded. “Your son has that hoodie?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Of course it doesn’t. I’m not saying it does. Tate’s hoodie is probably in your house, right?”

Eleanor retreated from the door. “And if I find it and show you, that proves he’s innocent.”

“Sure does.”

“Wait here.”

Chad didn’t move from the doorstep, but he did push the door open so he could see the hallway. Ice ran through his veins when he caught sight of the picture on the wall. Eleanor returned empty-handed, shaking her head. “It must be in his room.”

“I’ll wait here.”

“I can’t get it.”

“Why not?”

“His room is locked.”

Chad frowned. “Locked…Why’s Tate got a lock on his door?”

Eleanor looked away. “I didn’t like Shawn going in there and fiddling with things.”

“What kind of things?”

“Things.” Eleanor waved her hand. “Possessions.”

“What kind of possessions?”

“I know what you’ll think … the conclusions you’ll jump to.”

“I came here because I wanted to ask Tate about that night he escaped the killer. See if he’d remembered anything else that could help.” Chad looked over her shoulder. “That picture on the wall.”

Eleanor twisted to face it, blinking back tears. “What about it?”

“Did Tate buy it?”

She nodded. “Yes. From the art shop in town. He got it for mother’s day. Why?”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know who painted it?”

“No.”

“Romeo Knight did.”

Her eyes widened. “The serial killer who…” She pointed at him.

Chad nodded. “Yeah, that one.” He took a step closer. “What things are in Tate’s room that you didn’t want Shawn to see?”

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