Page 2 of Hunting Justice
“I would never ask you to commit a crime on my behalf.”
“Then what are you asking?”
“I want you to reopen those cases and set the record straight before you take it public. I have my reasons. That’s why I want you to come over. I’ll give you the files and tell you what to look for.”
Jonah sat in stunned silence. His friend had left him little choice in the matter. He blew out a breath. “All right. I’ll be there as soon as I wrap up for the day.”
“Thank you.”
“And Ken…” Jonah swallowed past the lump invading his throat.
“Yes.”
“You could have asked me for the money. I would have given it to you.” He would have emptied his brokerage account if that’s what it took to help the man who’d become like a father to him.
“I realize that now. I’ll see you when you get here.” The phone clicked off.
Jonah picked up the metal sign that had fallen and shoved it onto his desk. The notes from his last autopsy required his attention before he left for the day.
The dictation complete, he sent it to the medical transcriptionist to type up and glanced at the wall above the file cabinet. The clock mocked him. Jonah should have left fifteen minutes ago. He had to find out what in the world Ken had gotten himself into.
Falsifying autopsy reports? What had the man been thinking? And now he’d dragged Jonah into his crazy. But there was no need to jump to conclusions until he had proof. Maybe Ken had overreacted. Jonah could only hope.
He powered off his computer and tossed the options to Ken’s confession around in his mind. Jonah would listen to Ken’s explanation and figure out what he was up against, then he’d call his buddy Detective Matt Williams with the Savannah PD and discuss his legal obligations.
Since Ken held the title of chief medical examiner, that left Jonah in charge once Ken revealed his disreputable actions. Not the way Jonah wanted to earn the position. He shook his head.
After quickly glancing around the room and dismissing the idea of tidying the mess, he grabbed his keys. Ken was waiting, and Jonah wanted to get the distasteful business over with.
He slung his messenger bag over his shoulder and waved at one of the techs as he strolled down the hall. He pushed the emergency release bar on the back door and stepped outside.
The May air warmed his skin. Thank heavens the humidity hadn’t hit swamp levels yet. Give it another month and sweat would be his friend.
With a sigh, he strode to his SUV. He dropped into the driver’s seat and stared out the front windshield, wishing he’d never received Ken’s phone call.
Might as well get it over with. He cranked the engine and pulled from the parking lot.
Phone connected to his vehicle’s Bluetooth, he hit the speed dial for Ken. Six rings and the voicemail picked up. “Hey, Ken. Sorry, I’m running late. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.” Jonah jabbed the End button, disconnecting the call.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Why hadn’t his friend picked up? He maneuvered through the side streets of town, letting his mind ponder the implications of Ken’s admission. But until he knew the facts, he had no way of knowing what to do next.
Ten minutes later, he turned down the tree-lined street that Ken lived on. Spanish moss hung from the limbs, dangling high above the ground. Most days he’d find a soothing calmness about the landscape, but today the greenery reminded him of boney fingers from a horror movie, reaching out to grab him. Ominous?—maybe. A product of his dark mood?—most likely.
Jonah parked across from the pale-yellow two-story Victorian-style house that sat away from the others in the neighborhood. He stared at the home he’d visited multiple times on happier occasions. When Ken’s wife Cecile had passed away a couple months ago, Ken had acquired hermit-like tendencies.
But Jonah understood. His wife Cara had died in his arms after a car accident. There he was, an ER doctor at the time—one of the best in the nation—and he couldn’t save his own wife. Jonah shook off the memories. He had to deal with Ken’s problems and not get sucked into the past.
He stepped from his vehicle and shut the door. Exhaling, he crossed the street.
A boom rocked the neighborhood.
Jonah tumbled backward and slammed onto the ground.
Flames erupted from Ken’s house. Remnants of boards and furniture flew in multiple directions. Debris rained down, pelting his arms, legs, and torso.
He sucked in a breath and coughed. Pain shot through his chest, and a high-pitched ringing pierced his ears. His head pounded, but he pried his eyes open. The world whirled around him. Jonah blinked away the daze. Forcing himself to move, he rolled and pushed to a standing position.
Heavy smoke hovered above the back exterior of the house and the few standing walls. Flames leaped in the air, destroying the parts of the once-beautiful home that had survived the blast.