Threads of Suspicion(124)
Evie smiled at Nancy’s admission. “Have you had any concerns about Jim over the years? I’ve heard variations of the story about his fight with Rick.”
“The one I heard from Rick’s mother was they had a disagreement over Rick being back on marijuana. He’d made the mistake of handing off a joint to a friend at the coffee shop. Jim wasn’t having the stuff anywhere around the place, insisted that Rick give up the habit.”
Evie lifted an eyebrow. The variation she’d heard was of Rick insisting on driving after he’d been drinking. He refused to give his girlfriend the keys to let her drive. Jim had laid down the law, said he’d drive her home himself. And the sparks flew.
Nancy got up and arranged a plate of cookies. “Jim’s had a few fights,” she conceded as she brought the cookies over. “He tends to stand up for the people who are having difficulties taking care of themselves. It goes all the way back to fourth grade when he took on the playground bully and won that fight. And that characteristic doesn’t play well when wondering how Jim would have handled Jenna. Not because of himself, but because of Lynne.” She sighed, picked up a cookie, put it down again.
“But, honest truth,” she said, looking straight at Evie, “the one thing I heard last night that I was most relieved about is this—Jim hadn’t decided how to deal with the problem yet. He’d simply seen it clearly that night. Maybe he would have sought Steve’s help, or he might have asked for mine. Maybe he would have had a talk with Lynne and found a way to break the news that Jenna wasn’t being a true friend. But the one thing that seemed obvious to me as I listened was that he hadn’t decided yet what to do. Jenna disappeared before Jim could figure out how to deal with it. I know how awkward that sounds, the timing of it, but for my part I’m sure of it. Whatever happened, Jim wasn’t involved in Jenna’s disappearance.”
Evie nodded, said nothing.
“Common sense must tell you the same,” Nancy said, almost imploring. “If something had snapped that night, if Jim had been involved, he wouldn’t have said a word to you about seeing Jenna at the coffee shop at midnight or mentioned walking her home. No one has known that for the last nine years.”
“Actually, I discovered this morning that two others in the neighborhood did see him walking with her,” Evie mentioned. “They didn’t tell anyone before this because they liked him, didn’t want to jam him up on speculation. But the two were seen together.”
Nancy bit her lip. “Surely there’s more evidence to say what did happen to Jenna that night, other facts that will clear Jim?”
“The facts and theories on this case fill plenty of pages by now,” Evie reassured. Her phone chimed with another photo match. She checked the photo and name—neither generated recognition. She pocketed the phone again, gave a small smile in apology. “Another angle being actively pursued right now.”
Evie picked up a cookie, if only to keep the conversation going and on an informal level. “I’m looking for the truth in as many directions as it takes until I can find out what happened. I’m going to need to sit down with Lynne for an extended conversation in a day or two. It would help me to know what Jim talks to Lynne about today or tomorrow—if he tells her any of this or leaves the past alone.”
“I doubt he mentions anything about Jenna to her, but if he does, I’ll let you know how Lynne responds. I realize that conversation is going to have to happen. However I can help my daughter, it matters that you let me.”
“I’ll do my best not to surprise Lynne or you, Nancy, with the way the case unfolds. That’s the best I can offer.”
“I’ll take it, and thank you.”
Evie pushed back her chair and stood. “Thanks for your time.” She held up the cookie. “These are great, by the way.” She headed back out.
Evie wasn’t surprised to find David had yet to retreat to the hotel for some sleep. “Are you swimming in caffeine yet?” she asked, leaning against the doorframe to the conference room.
He smiled. “The tiredness comes in waves. Another hour and I’ll abandon you, crash at Maggie’s for the evening.”
Evie looked at the whiteboard, caught off guard by the running tally. “Two hundred sixty-three names? Are you kidding me?”
David laughed. “I’ve only sent you photos of those with backgrounds that look to be a match, those who lived around Ellis nine years ago, attended Brighton College, that kind of thing.” He swiveled toward the board. “The rest of this is actually fascinating—the type of people who filled the rope line last night. Most were there to see the who’s who of Chicago. I’ve been making educated guesses and categorizing them into groups as I pull up background info.