Read Online Dead Right by Brenda Novak - Free Book Online

typically had little or no crime. There were only fifteen hundred residents—and not one convicted sex offender.
    Collecting her splintered thoughts, Madeline touched Pontiff’s arm. “Toby.” For a moment, he wasn’t the chief of police to her. He was her friend’s husband, a boy she’d known her whole life, a caring adult like herself. “What if my father was counseling a man with…with unacceptable sexual compulsions. You know how confessions are supposed to be private, but some things have to be reported? Maybe my father was going to turn in this…this pathetic individual and was killed because of it.”
    â€œThat’s crossed my mind,” he admitted.
    â€œIf it was someone he knew well, maybe even trusted and respected, think of the resulting embarrassment.”
    â€œSomeone like that might go to great lengths to avoid discovery.”
    â€œExactly. So are you planning to question all the men in my father’s congregation?” This had been done before, but now they had reason to look closer.
    â€œI might. Right now, I need the two of you to come to the station with me.”
    â€œFor what?” Irene cried.
    â€œTo see if you recognize the suitcase or the panties. We need to figure out who they might’ve belonged to.”
    â€œYou don’t think they could be mine, ” Madeline said. When Irene slipped one arm around her, she realized her voice had gone shrill, but the idea of her panties, or those of anyone else she knew, being in that suitcase was too horrible to contemplate.
    â€œI have no idea,” Pontiff said. “But I’d like to find out. And it makes sense to begin with the family.”
    It did make sense; it was just that his discovery was so revolting.
    â€œThat’ll be too upsetting for her,” Irene said. “I’ll do it.”
    Madeline put up a hand. “No, of course I’ll come, too. We both will.”
    â€œGood.”
    Madeline caught his elbow. “You know what this confirms, don’t you?”
    He didn’t seem to know at all. “What?”
    â€œThe Vincellis and everyone who’s supported them are wrong.” A lump rose in her throat as she spoke, surprising even her. “It wasn’t Clay.”
    â€œMaddy—” he started, but she refused to let him interrupt her.
    â€œMy stepbrother might seem dark and remote to you, to lots of people, but he’d sacrifice his own life before he’d ever hurt a child.”
    Sympathy softened Pontiff’s features. “Folks aren’t always what they seem, Maddy.”
    Madeline wouldn’t let it go. “I’d bet my own life that he’d never touch a child in an inappropriate manner,” she said fiercely. “He’s angry and he’s determined and he’s—” she searched for the right word to describe her stepbrother “—tough. But he’s not sick.”
    â€œHe had a hard childhood,” Pontiff said gently. “That can scar a person.”
    It was the first time she’d heard Toby speak with any compassion for Clay. Clay was too capable, too strong to evoke sympathy from most people, despite his background.
    â€œHe has his scars,” she said. “But he’s always protected those who are smaller, weaker and more vulnerable than himself. Surely you’ve seen how much his stepdaughter adores him.”
    Pontiff put his hand over hers. “The fact that he has a stepdaughter means I can’t take your word for what Clay is or isn’t, Maddy. I have to look at the facts. You understand.”
    What she understood was that it was time to exonerate Clay and expose the real killer. Maybe the facts hadn’t stood in his favor before. But she was more certain than ever that now they would. And if the police weren’t capable of solving the case, she’d make sure Hunter Solozano did the job for them.
    Â 
    Madeline sat in the