Small Town Justice(46)

“Names,” Shane demanded.

Sweat had beaded on the other man’s brow and his face was flushed. “I really don’t...”

Jamie touched his forearm. “Shane promised to keep your secret but I didn’t. Either you give us the names of the kids who were with my brother that night or I’ll stand up in front of everybody in church this morning and shout what you just told us.”

“Okay, okay. It was Alan, Bobbi-Sue and Marty. Those are the only ones I remember leaving with Ray. Honest.”

Shane was astounded. “Who drove Ray’s car?”

“Um, Alan, I think.”

“Be sure.”

Heaving a sigh, Steve nodded. “It was Alan. Bobbi-Sue usually rode with him so Marty must have driven the other car. I didn’t actually see them leave.”

“Okay. Get out of here before somebody notices us. I’ll take it from here.”

As soon as the door closed, Shane pulled Jamie closer and just held her while he sorted out his thoughts. Clearly, she had been right to doubt her brother’s guilt, and for more reasons than one.

“I guess I was too young to remember those people,” she said, leaning back to look into his eyes.

“You will when I tell you more. Their full names are Bobbi-Sue Randall, Alan Abernathy—and Martin Williford.”

Her jaw dropped. “That’s impossible! How could the judge and both attorneys arrange to take part in R.J.’s trial?”

“It’s a small town and there was an even tighter good-old-boy system in those days,” Shane explained. “Given enough incentive, money and power, it probably wasn’t hard to do. It took all three to see to it that their kids were never mentioned in court.”

“But, but...the defense attorney, too? No wonder my poor brother gave up. He must have realized he couldn’t possibly win.”

“That, and the threats against your family that your aunt told you about,” Shane reminded her. “Williford isn’t the only name Harlan and I’ve been trying to track down with no success. We can’t locate either of your parents.”

“Assuming they’re alive,” Jamie added soberly. “I suppose my mother may be, but according to Tessie, Mom was convinced somebody had murdered my dad. They must have said so to scare her. And it worked.”

“When this is over and justice is served, I’m sure the story will make the news. Maybe she’ll see it and realize it’s safe to come home.” To his relief, Jamie began to smile wistfully.

“‘From your lips to God’s ears,’ as Otis likes to say,” she told him.

“Are you ready to brave the congregation or do you want to leave?”

“We can’t go. Marsha will expect us to join her for Sunday dinner after the service,” Jamie replied. “What about Otis? Doesn’t he come to church?”

“Unfortunately, no,” Shane said. “Mom would love it if he’d keep her company but he’s a stubborn old mule. Says his faith is just fine without being hit over the head with it all the time.”

“I wonder if he’s right.”

“No telling. Pastor Malloy says that’s between each individual and God. We can’t judge another person’s heart.”

Jamie pivoted and reached for the doorknob. “That’s not entirely true. I have a pretty good idea there are at least three black-hearted parents and three of their offspring whose dirty secrets are about to resurface and give them plenty of grief. What I don’t understand is why God let my brother rot in jail for so long.”

“Neither do I.” Shane held the sanctuary door for her as she passed through. “We may never know. All we can do is bring our information to the authorities and step back while they work.”

He knew he should not have been surprised when she glared at him and countered, “No way, mister. I’ll talk to the sheriff and whoever else will listen, but I’m not going to sit on my hands while my brother suffers. I don’t care who gets mad or threatens me. R.J. needs a new trial and he needs it now.” Leading the way to the sanctuary, she added, “I’ll go all the way back to Rhode Island to find an honest defense attorney if I have to.”

He would have asked her how she intended to pay for the lawyer’s services and begged her to be more cautious if he’d thought it would help. Unfortunately, she was plunging full speed into more danger.

A touch on her arm slowed her while they were still alone in the hallway. “Wait. Think for a second, Jamie. Any judge who’s powerful enough to arrange a trial and wrongful conviction plus hide the corruption my dad suspected years ago is a force to be reckoned with. If you let him know you’re onto him, there’s no telling what he may do.”