If It Walks Like A Killer (The Carolina Killer Files #1) (23 page)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Hampton

Argus Hampton pulled up to his ranch style home at half past ten. His stomach was filled with a bubbling fear. He climbed out of his car, his giant sheepdog fumbling up to him, tongue outstretched.

“Hey there, Gus.” He patted the dog’s fluffy head.

He walked around his wrap-around porch to the side entrance and walked into his kitchen. Laying his keys on the bar, he walked toward the living room, sinking into the couch. Grabbing the remote he took a deep, agonizing breath and pressed the power button.

He flipped through several channels of infomercials and cartoons before he finally landed on a photograph of Rachael. He recognized her instantly, though the photograph must’ve been from years ago. She was around twenty pounds lighter with her blonde hair chopped short and highlighted red. Her arms wrapped around a younger Caide’s neck with ease. She was smiling brightly just past the camera, while he smiled at her. Hampton found himself captivated by how happy she looked. His smile was wiped away instantly as he noticed the caption.

Frightened husband reveals that he no longer believes his wife could be innocent.

“I don’t want my wife around my children.”

Hampton cursed, turning up the volume just as a blonde reporter came on. “Sources have confirmed that Caide Abbott, husband of accused murderer Rachael Abbott, is choosing to no longer stand behind his wife in her murder trial. Most of you have heard of this case by now. Mrs. Abbott, local owner of Tutu’s dance studio on Market Street, is being accused of having viciously battered Blaire Underwood to death.”

Rachael’s picture disappeared, to be replaced by a picture of Blaire Underwood.

“To make matters worse, Ms. Underwood is believed to have been having a long time affair with Mr. Abbott. Now, just weeks before the final trial date a tape has been released to us. Our source does wish to remain anonymous but tells us that Mr. Abbott admittedly withdrew payment from his wife’s lawyer and no longer believes his wife may be innocent. He also reportedly said that he does not intend to support his wife’s case any further. Mr. Abbott has asked for peace and respect as he mourns the sudden and untimely death of the woman he loved. He has requested that all questions and comments be kept quiet around himself and his children as they embark in these next few months of what is sure to be a rocky road to a new normal. More on this tonight, I’m Jodie Hopkins with Channel Fourteen News. Thanks for watching.”

Hampton flipped the channel as it went to a commercial and found that seven or eight other channels all bore pictures of Rachael and this ridiculous story. Hampton slammed the remote down on the coffee table, cursing. He picked up his phone, unsure of who to call and found himself dialing Caide Abbott’s number.

“Hello?” An annoyed sounding Caide answered the phone.

“What did you do, Abbott? What could you possibly have been thinking?”

“What do you want?”

“I want to know what could possibly possess you to do this to your wife. Do you really hate her that much? So much that you would damn her to a losing battle before she even has a chance?”

“Thought I’d made this clear. I am doing what is best for my family.”

“She is your family, you son of a—”

“My children are my only concern now.”

“You’re only concern is yourself and any mud that may sling on your perfect little name.”

“You don’t know me, Hampton. You don’t know anything about this except what she’s telling you. I don’t know what it is you think you’re going to get out of this whole thing but I want no part of it.”

“When I get your wife admonished, she will know what you’ve done. She will never forgive you and she will never forget.”

“You and I both know Rachael will never see freedom, not ever again.”

“She waits for you, did you know that? She asks about you. Even after what you did, she asks about you and wishes you’d come see her.”

“I’m only going to say this once: I never want to see my wife again, not ever, and so help me she will never see my children again. Now, I’m going to hang up. Do not contact me again, unless you want harassment charges filed on you.”

With that, the line went dead. Hampton slammed his phone shut. His face grew hot with anger as he tried to think of how to get Rachael out of this mess. Suddenly it occurred to him, what if the answers he’d been searching for, the secrets he’d tried to find, what if the answer had been right under his nose the whole time? It was then that realization struck Hampton, there was one option he hadn’t weighed at all.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Caide

Caide sat at the white marble kitchen table, staring at the very man he’d never planned to see again.
Click, click.
He heard her heels approaching the dining room before he saw her. Her graying hair was piled high atop her head, her makeup layered pristinely. She wore a white pant suit with a flowery green blouse. He stood as she entered the room, out of habit rather than respect.

“Hello, Caide Matthew.”

“Mother.” He nodded.

She gathered him in a cool, unwelcoming hug and pressed her cheek lightly on his: the only way she’d ever kissed him. “I suppose you’ve seen the news.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” He tapped the table, trying to remain calm. “I just want to know why.”

“Why? Because it had to be done, that’s why. You weren’t man enough to take action, so I did. I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me? Mother, you betrayed me. You turned me into someone I never wanted to be. You spoke for me and twisted my words.”

“I used a tape of exactly what you said.”

“But you used it out of context and without permission. How could I ever forgive you for that?”

“Whether or not you forgive me, Caide Matthew, is no concern of mine. What is my concern, is the public opinion of you. People pity you, now. They see you as a fool who loved the right woman at the wrong time and now you are paying the ultimate price. People will revere you, articles will be written. Think of all the press you will bring to the family.”

“I don’t want press, Mother, don’t you see that? I want peace. I want time to figure everything out. Your actions pretty much guaranteed that won’t happen anytime soon.”

“Son, I agreed to meet with you, but I am a very busy woman. You will not fight what I’ve done or you will be publicly humiliated. Life has dealt you a hand of cards and you have to deal with that. Stand up for yourself and for your children and build yourselves a new life. I won’t waste my time arguing with you, it is of little importance to me anymore. In time, you’ll see that what I’ve done for you was a favor and if you don’t like it, well, I haven’t talked to you in eight years, another eight won’t kill me. So, stop your pity party and guilt trips, it won’t work on me. You brought this on yourself when you married that girl. I will not have my business or my name run through the mud because you made a mockery of your life.” Her face grew red as she spoke. “I will protect my family and my company, and unfortunately as far as the public is concerned that includes you.”

Caide looked to his father, his wrinkled face unwavering behind the thick shadow of his mother. He sighed. “So when will I get the money then?”

His mother folded her hands politely in front of her. She raised her eyebrows. “Money?”

“The money you promised me if I cooperated.”

“You chose not to cooperate.” She folded her hands gently on the table.

“You left me no choice. If I deny this now, I look like a liar. I have to play along. You got what you wanted, like you always do.”

“The money was a onetime offer, son. That offer has expired. I suppose we could find a job for you in one of our warehouses somewhere.” She glanced toward her silent husband. “Why, we could make it a community event, can’t you just imagine?” She held her hands up as if framing a headline. “Billionaire owners’ son works his way up the company from the bottom, proving they believe themselves no more entitled than anyone else.” She laughed with excitement.

“You’d put me in a warehouse? I’m your son.”

“I have no son, Caide Matthew. I’ve told you. The moment that you walked away from this family, you became just another mess I have to clean up after because you wear our name.”

Caide stood in disbelief.

His mother remained calm. “Now, you just play along and when your wife is safely tucked away in prison we’ll find you a nice warehouse job somewhere close by. We’ll give you benefits and fair pay. Of course, it’ll be nowhere near what Mason is undoubtedly overpaying you, but it’ll be enough. Keep your nose clean and we’ll even give you a week of paid vacation after your first year.”

Caide felt a lump growing in his throat. She stood, patting his head like a child. “That will be all, Caide Matthew. You may go.”

Caide unruffled his hair and stood, avoiding eye contact with his parents. His stomach churned with anger and embarrassment. He walked through the kitchen and toward the large oak doors. Before he could open it, he heard his mother’s heels.

“Wait,” she demanded.

Angry at the hope he felt in his heart, he turned around. She put her arms around his neck, a loving embrace. His face filled with confusion as she pulled open the door and it dawned on him.
Flash. Flash. Click. Click. Flash.
Reporters. They were everywhere. She hugged him tighter, rubbing his back. The gesture felt foreign to him, though he couldn’t help but wish this were a genuine act. She held him in a hug for what seemed like an eternity before pulling away. She grasped his cheeks, forcing a smile he could only assume looked genuine from far away. Her eyes were distant, Caide knew she wasn’t even seeing him. She placed her hand on his back again, ushering him out the door and waving ferociously as he left. She wiped away her non-existent tears and blew him a kiss as the cameras continued to flash. Playing along, though it sickened him, he waved back before climbing into his car. The reporters ate it up. Cameras flashed as he pulled out of the circle drive. Deep down Caide hated himself for buying into her games, but closer to the surface joy bubbled as he saw the reporters’ pity-filled faces. He couldn’t deny the happiness that pleasing a crowd brought him or the ease with which he could make people believe his lies. He was, after all, an Abbott. And when you’re an Abbott, you’re an Abbott through and through.

Chapter Forty

Hampton

Hampton pulled into Shayna’s parking lot, his head still stirring with questions. He marched through the lobby and smiled at
oh, what is her name?
She smiled back. Her name plate was turned.

“Running a little late today, Mr. Hampton?”

“Yes, I guess I am. I’ve had quite a bit going on today.”

“Well, I figured you would with everything that’s been going on. I’ll just let Ms. Steele know you’re here.”

“Thank you.” He smiled at her, racking his brain for where he had misplaced her name. Hampton made his way over to the couch near the window and eased himself onto it. He awkwardly pushed a throw pillow out from behind him. He glanced at his watch, though he didn’t read the time, his mind was entirely elsewhere. After hearing the news report this morning, he’d busied himself with a new lead. He’d gone over the police reports, testimonies, and records. He’d called old friends at colleges and a few of his witnesses. His theory may just be the answer to the case, and though it was a long shot he only had one missing piece to make it plausible.

The door opened and Shayna and Rachael walked out.

“Hey.” Hampton smiled at the both of them. “Shayna, could I see you for a second?” His eyes flashed apologetically toward Rachael.

“Of course, Rachael, would you excuse us?” She headed for her office.

“Actually, we can’t leave her out here. Not that I don’t trust you,” he told Rachael. “It’s just against court order. Can you have her wait in the office? This will only take a second.”

Shayna nodded, holding the door open for Rachael. Rachael sighed, walking back into the office slowly. Hampton wondered briefly if he’d offended her.

Once the door was shut, Shayna began to talk. “So I’m guessing you watched the news?”

He nodded. “You can’t turn on the TV without seeing it. It’s on every channel.”

Shayna’s gaze fell behind Hampton. “Kortnee, would you please excuse us?”

“Oh, of course Ms. Steele. I’m sorry.”

Hampton heard clamoring behind him as Kortnee left the room.

“So what’s the plan?”

“Well, first of all, that man is an ass. I just want to throw that out there.”

Shayna nodded. “Agreed. What on earth would make him do that?”

“I can only think of one reason that would make sense: he’s trying to sway the jury.”

“I thought about that, but why?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure, but I have a pretty good idea. It’s a little out there.”

“What about this case isn’t?” Shayna asked, a curious smile on her face.

“I’m still working out all of the bugs, but I can only think of one reason he could possibly have for trying to make the jury believe his wife is guilty.”

Shayna stared at him, realization setting in on her face. “If the case is over, they stop looking. Caide Abbott has something to hide.”

“Something big.” Hampton nodded.

“Something like murder?”

Again, he nodded. “It all fits. Think about it.”

“You think he set her up? He planned all of it?”

“It’s all so laid out. What other reason is there? He was so mad when I asked for the continuance, I can’t believe I didn’t see this before.”

“So now he’s taking matters into his own hands.”

“That’s what I think, yes. I’ve still got some research to do. I want to have everything figured out before I tell her.”

“So, you’re going to tell her?”

“I don’t see a point in upsetting her now, before we know everything. Eventually, though, she’ll need to know the truth.”

“What if there’s nothing to find out?”

“Then she’ll get her heart broken again. I’d like to spare her that, if possible.”

“Her heart will break either way. If, God willing, we’re right that still means her husband, the man she vowed her life to, is willing to watch her go down for a crime he knows she’s innocent of. There’s no bigger betrayal.” Shayna crossed her arms.

“I realize that. I’d just like to have some form of good news for her when I give her all of the bad.”

Shayna looked at him inquisitively. “You really care about her.”

“Is that a question?” Heat rushed to his cheeks in the form of blush.

“An observation. The question is why?”

“She’s my client. If I can win this case, it’ll be great for my career.”

She continued staring at him, doubt all over her face.

“What?”

“It’s more than that, Hampton. Your cheeks flush when you see her, pupils dilate, after you speak you always look for her response. You’re going above and beyond the call of duty for her, don’t think I didn’t see that you aren’t getting paid anymore. Others are calling this case doomed, but you just won’t give up. Admit it.”

“Admit what?” His pulse quickened.

“Hampton.” She pressed her lips together.

“She is my client, Shayna. It would be unethical. I just know what it’s like to be in that place. I know what she’s going through and I know what it’s like to feel like you have no one to turn to. No one should feel that way.”

He met Shayna’s understanding eyes again, nothing else needed to be said.

“Has Rachael mentioned anything about Caide’s computer skills?”

Shayna shook her head. “No, nothing.”

“I know he had the motive, and the means I just can’t figure out how he got her on tape. That’s the most powerful thing they have on us, that’s what we need to discredit. Try and find out if he was good with computers, and if she’d had any strange, unexplained cuts. We need to figure out the DNA too. Find out anything you can.”

Shayna’s expression was serious. “I’ll do what I can.”

“All right, let’s go get her before she gets suspicious.”

She turned around, walking back toward the door before stopping once more. She glanced at him over her shoulder. “You know, my second semester in grad school, a girl dropped out of my sociology class. We’d all heard that she was pregnant, but the rumor was that the baby was the professor’s. No one could ever prove it and nothing was ever done but after graduation I heard they got married. Now, they have the three cutest little girls you could ever dream of and they’re incredibly happy.”

“What’s your point?”

“My point is sometimes the heart isn’t ethical and sometimes that’s okay.”