Read Online Cold Case in Cherokee Crossing by Rita Herron - Free Book Online Page A

the lawyer bring up your father’s history at the trial?”
    Avery shrugged. “I don’t remember. I wasn’t in the court for the trial, just when they called me to testify.”
    “I’m going to study the transcripts, then talk to the prosecutor and the attorney who defended your brother. Do you remember him?”
    “Not really,” Avery said. “Just that he was young, a public defender.”
    The kid had probably been overloaded with cases, and considering Hank’s confession, he hadn’t dug very deep for a defense.
    Jaxon turned onto the street leading to Avery’s house, again struck by her home’s neatly kept lawn and fresh paint. Obviously growing up in a rat trap had made her appreciate her home. “I’ll let you know when I get the social worker’s information and set up a time.”
    She handed him a business card. “You have my cell number, but this is my work number.”
    He glanced at it with a smile. “You work at a vet clinic?”
    She nodded. “As an assistant. I like taking care of animals.”
    Because they gave unconditional love.
    “Does that mean you have a houseful of cats?”
    She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “No, no pets.”
    Probably went back to the attachment issue.
    Amazing how easy she was to read. Yet how complicated she was at the same time. She’d lived through hell, but she’d survived and managed to make a life for herself.
    “Avery, were there other foster children placed with the Mulligans when you and Hank stayed there?”
    Avery rubbed her forehead in thought. “There was another girl there when we first arrived. I think her name was Lois. I’m not sure what happened to her, though.”
    “I’ll look into it,” Jaxon said. “You know, Mulligan may have abused other girls before you.”
    Avery’s face paled. “I suppose you’re right. I never really thought about it.”
    “It’s another question for the social worker.”
    Anger flashed in her eyes. “Yes, it is.”
    He almost regretted suggesting the idea, but Avery wanted the truth, and if she hadn’t been the first girl Wade had molested, the social worker might know.
    Even if she hadn’t known, though, another victim meant someone else had a motive to kill Wade.
    “Don’t think about it too much tonight,” he said gently. “Just get some rest.”
    She reached for the door handle, then turned to face him. “Thank you again, Jaxon.”
    Her thanks made guilt mushroom inside him. He hadn’t done anything yet. Worse, his efforts might not make a difference at all.
    Her brother could still be put to death if he didn’t find some answers fast.
    * * *
    A VERY LET HERSELF inside her house, disturbed at the idea that Wade had hurt others before her.
    And that the social worker might have known and placed her and Hank there anyway.
    If Wade hadn’t been murdered, he would have continued the pattern.
    She wanted to thank whoever had killed him for saving future victims.
    But whoever had killed him had let Hank rot in prison for his crime.
    The house seemed eerily quiet tonight, making her think about Jaxon’s questions. She worked at a vet clinic, but had no pets of her own. That might seem odd to him. But she’d gotten attached to a dog at one of her foster houses, and it had ripped out her heart when she’d had to leave it.
    She’d vowed never to get attached to anything else again.
    At the clinic, she could pet the animals, but she knew they’d be going home with their owners.
    She made herself a salad, then slipped on her pajamas and turned on the television. But the news was on.
    “Today, protestors against the death penalty rallied outside the prison objecting to Hank Tierney’s upcoming execution.”
    The camera panned the crowd of protestors, who were chanting and waving signs to stop the lethal injection from happening.
    Guilt plagued her for waiting so long to visit her brother. If she’d done so sooner and he’d told her the truth, she would have had more time to help him.
    What if she’d waited