“Is he still alive? Who is he?”
“His name’s Conal Francis. I can’t see that it matters now if you know the truth. He’s in San Quentin, at least he was the last time I heard.”
“He’s in prison?” Lacey couldn’t believe it. Neither he nor her mother had ever said a thing about Belinda’s father being in jail.
“What did he do?”
“He tried to murder me. Instead he killed a friend of mine, Lucas Bennett. It was a long time ago, Lacey, before you were born, before your mother and I married. He was a big Irish bully, a gambler, worked for the mob. He must be at least sixty by now. He’s four years older than I. Which is why Belinda was cursed. Her genes ruined her. Despite the fact that I raised her, she still would have turned bad. It was already beginning even before she died. A pity, but there it is.”
“But Belinda knew about him, didn’t she?”
“She only knew that he’d left her and her mother when she was eight or nine years old. We never told her anything different. There was no point. Look, Lacey, that was a long time ago. You’ve caught the man who killed her. Belinda’s madness died with her. Now the man who killed her will die as well. Forget it, forget all of it.”
She hoped he would prove to be right about that. No, she didn’t want to forget Belinda. But at least now that Marlin Jones was in custody, that helpless feeling was gone.
Except for the fact that he’d claimed he hadn’t killed Belinda.
“Come home soon, Lacey.” There was a pause, then, “Do you want to speak to your mother?”
“Oh yes, please, Dad. How is she today?”
“Much the same as always. She’s downstairs with me in the library. Here she is.”
Her fingers tightened on the receiver. Her father had spoken about her first husband and Belinda like that in front of her? Savich had come into the room, but it was too late for her to hang up. “Mom? How are you?”
“I miss you, dearest. I’m glad you caught that bad man. Now you can come home and stay. You always were so pretty, dear, so sweet and pretty. And how well you played the piano. Everyone told me how talented you were. Why, you could teach little children in a kindergarten, couldn’t you? You’re so suited to something like that. Your grandmother was a pianist, you remember?”
“Yes, Mom, I remember. I’ll be home to visit you soon. Not long now and then we’ll be together for a couple of days.”
“No, Lacey, I want you to stay here, with me and your father. I have your piano tuned by Joshua Mueller every six months. Remember how much you admired him?”
“Look, Mom, I’ve got to get back to work now. I love you. Please take care.”
“I always do, Lacey, since your father tried to run me down with that black BMW of his.”
“What? Dad tried to run you down with his BMW?”
“Lacey? It’s your father. Your mother is having one of her spells.”
“What did she mean that you tried to run her down?”
“I haven’t the foggiest idea.” He sighed deeply. “Your mother does have good days. This is not one of them. I have never harmed your mother or tried to harm her. Forget what she said, Lacey.”
But how could she? She stared at the phone as if it were a snake about to bite her. She could swear she heard her mother crying in the background.
Savich was looking at her. Her face was white. She looked to be in shock-yes, that was it.
When Savich took the phone from her, she didn’t resist. She heard him say in his calm deep voice, “Judge Sherlock? My name is Dillon Savich. I’m also with the FBI. I’m the head of the Criminal Apprehension Unit. Your daughter works for me. I hope you don’t mind, but Lacey is a bit overwhelmed by all that’s happened.” He paused, listening to her father. “Yes, I understand that her mother isn’t well. But you must realize that her mother’s words shocked her deeply.”