chapter 19

Brian drove to a little town near Destin Where Gloria Michaels family still lives, about an hour and a half from FSU college. Gloria had been a senior there.She lived on campus majored in forensics.and led a typical college life. Partied a little too much, failed biology the first time she took it. liked the boys..

Anthony Russel a thirty year old mechanic who'd once fixed her car was one of several boyfriends Brian had found, but none of the others had been serious contenders for her murderer. She had been stabbed 16 times Brian had ruled out everyman he could put with Gloria.

Except Russel.who finally confessed. While his attorneys had orgasms.

Brian bit back the reminder and tried to ignore the spot on his thigh where kenzies little ribbon Barret seemed to burn through his pocket.If only Ellen had been right about how Brian handled the case.of only he had fingered Russel then let the locals finish him off. but he hadn't. When Brian got word Russel was on the lam he made a U-turn across the highway and headed back. Called Lorra and told her he needed another day.

A day or two become three weeks. The end of three lifetimes.

He put away the memory and pulled up to a single story house on a two lane road. the nearest neighbors a few acres away. Sue Michael's opened the door while Brian was still in the drive."Agent Fuller?:she asked.

Brian corrected her"Not an agent anymore, Mrs Michael's.

"I know we heard."she stepped back and let him come in. careful not to let her eyes settle on his scar. It hadn't been there last time she saw him. Gloria's father Josh Michaels stood deeper in the foyer arms folded he over his chest.

"Thank you for seeing me."Brian said and held out his hand Michaels shook it but reluctantly."I know I was the last person you expected to hear from."

"Its fine" said Sue.making a don't mind gesture towards her husband.she took Brian by the arm and ushered him into the living room. A set of family photo's hung on a wall. Gloria occupied most of it.

"She was a beautiful girl." Brian said looking at the spread of photos. he tried to focus on something more cheerful and pointed to a picture of a scrawny eleven year old tom boy. She had been precocious and sad, and she had a blatant case of hero worship for Brian all those years ago.

"How is Bree doing?" he asked "I hate to think how big's she has gotten by now."

"See for yourself."

Brian turned eyes widening."Bree?"

"I grew up didn't I?"

Brian chuckled "I'll say." Blond curvy legs from here to china. he glanced at her father feeling like a kid in a cookie jar being caught. he covered by giving her a brotherly tweak on the nose.

Her smile faded "Let me guess. You are not here cause I'm old enough to date now.?"

"No" he said I'm here about Gloria."

"I can't believe it. Sue said.a few Min's later."It isn't over.?"

"I'm sorry Mrs Michaels."

"So who do you think killed this woman in Seattle. Bree asked

"I dunno but there is a good chance he is the same man that killed Gloria."

"They are alike?" Mrs michaels asked.

"Not entirely there are some difference's, the arrangement of the bodies, the-He stopped Gloria's parents had enough gory images to last them a lifetime."But the likenesses is compelling. The murder even ate Reece's cups."

"I just wanted you to know I am going to ask the FBI to look at Gloria's case again." Brian said. "I didn't want y'all to hear it on the news."

Michael's stood. The years have worked on him like gravity, weighing down on his shoulders. dragging corners of his lips to a permanent frown. he looked at Brian and thought like a man who'd lost his child.

"Don't he said "Don't do this to us."

"Josh" His wife said. "we have to---

"Anthony Michaels killed my daughter I don't care what happened in Seattle "Anthony Russel's killed Gloria."

"Maybe not sir."

The mans face began to redden "I want you to leave my little girl alone. For the love of god let my baby rest in piece."

"Gee sh dad". Bree said "Its not like it ,matters to Gloria anymore."

He rounded her"How dare you." The tendons on either side of his throat stood out like a cobra."How dare you say something like that about your sister."

"Dad! What if Anthony Russel didn't kill her?"

"Anthony killed her! he killed her!

Brian stood up."Mr Michae-

"Get out of my home leave my family alone.!we know who killed my daughter  and you don't need to stir it all up again!" Just get out!!!"

Brian glanced at Gloria's but found no help there. A second later Bree had his arm"Come on I will walk you out."

Brian felt like he just driven a knife through the mans heart. He and Bree walked to the driveway in silence, Brian on eggshells. They stopped by his car and when she finally spoke her words surprised him.

"You know" She said " I wanted to go to FSU."

Brian waited he didn't know where this was going.

"Dad couldn't stand it, the thought of me going away to college. So now I'm finishing at the local college about four miles from here. He can almost tolerate my going to classes, so long as I don't take any at night."

Brian swallowed, he didn't know what to say about that. If he could do it all over again and had the option of keeping McKenzie under lock and key he would.

Bree looked up her expression filled with uncertainty"I don't want to send him back to the place he was when Gloria died." I don't but...?"

"What?"

She shot a glance towards the house then stepped a little closer her voice almost a whisper."Anthony didn't like peanut Butter."

Brian frowned "Bree?"

"I know I know, she said tears started."I know daddy told you that the piece of candy had to have been his, but it couldn't of been. Gloria told me. It was one of the things she and Anthony had in common they both hated Peanut butter."

Brian was dumbfounded. He turned rubbing his hand over his face."Bree why didn't you tell anyone back then?"

"I did I told dad."

"Your dad knew? Then why didn't he tell us?"

Bree Blinked.""You just don't get it do you? he hated Anthony and he does think with all his heart that Anthony killed her. he wasn't going to let an 11 year old's opinion about a piece of candy stand in the way of Anthony going to prison."

"Would you put that in a sworn statement?"

"That my dad believed Anthony Russel killed Gloria?"

"No that you are certain Anthony wouldn't had a Reece's cup."

"Are you kidding me my dad would dis own me."

"Come on"

"No really you don't understand Anthony's death was dad's revenge You gave him that. And if hadn't had that much I don't think he could go on. he barely does now."

Brian closed his eyes

"Mr Fuller.? Bree touched his arm looking up at him.Suddenly she sounded like a little girl again,

"Should I be scared? I mean could the guy be coming back here or something?"

Brian frowned and patted her shoulder"Nah" he said."There is something else going on I don't know what yet but I'm going to find out., you are OK."

And with that Brian thought as he pulled out of the driveway might be the biggest crock of shit he'd fed to a pretty lady in a long time.