When I don’t respond, he adds, “We all did—the whole town. Right?”
“Yes, of course.”
The veins and cords of Austin’s neck come to life as his jaw clenches. “I ain’t a violent man, but if I find out who raped her, I ain’t responsible...”
“Who told you she wasraped?”
“No one had to tell me. The way Sheriff Manes said she was hurt, I just figured...”
“Please don’t. And if you can, for Julie’s sake, don’t let others spread that misinformation.”
His green eyes appear brighter. “So, she wasn’t...no one did that to her?”
“Not what you’re thinking. I would let Julie be the one to set the record straight… when she’s ready.”
“Will you tell her I asked about her?”
Again, I nod. “Sure will, when I see her.”
“Thank you, Jillian. Really sucks that the first time you’re home, this happened.”
“Yeah, Austin, it does.”
He spins around to go back into the Walleye Tavern, and I turn to my car and unlock the door.
Before heading out to Stark Lake, I drive over to the McKenna farm. I’m curious to see how close I can get to the gardener’s shed. I want an idea of how far a distance it is from the pond and bonfire to the shed.
If Keith and I are onto something about GHB or any other date-rape category of drug, Julie and Marty could have willingly walked to the shed. Hell, they might have been promised more and better drugs or maybe it was sex. As he mentioned, GHB is known to enhance libido.
As I drive, I realize Austin didn’t answer my question as to whether Julie was dating anyone. It seems that Liv said she wasn’t, but it wouldn’t be unheard of for a teenager to lie by omission. My thoughts are all over the place as I drive northeast of Blue Gil and arrive at the McKenna farm.
Shit.
I can’t go any farther. The main road onto the property, the one that used to lead to the big barn, is blocked with upturned concrete blocks and yellow tape. On a fence post, one that I believe is new, to the right of the driveway, is a sign withNo Trespassingin large orange letters.
Careful of the swales on each side of the road, I turn the car around. Just as I’m about to drive away, blue lights flash in my rearview mirror. I drive slowly to the side of the road, expecting the police vehicle to pass; instead, it stops behind me.
Even knowing that I haven’t done anything wrong, there is a rush of anxiety at the prospect of being pulled over.
As the door to the Blue Gil Sheriff’s Department vehicle opens, I see Annabelle Ford in my rearview mirror. Being the only woman on Blue Gil’s police force, she isn’t difficult to identify. However, that isn’t the only reason she’s recognizable. She has an uncanny resemblance to her sister, Constance, who was my teammate in high school.
I roll down my window as the deputy comes closer. “Deputy Ford,” I greet.
Her stern expression immediately softens. “Jillian. I heard you were in town.”
“Not very good timing.”
She lifts her chin to the blockade. “What are you doing here?”
“Nosy, I guess.” When she doesn’t respond, I continue, “Julie is coming home today, and I’ve been thinking. You know when we were young, we knewabout the barn, but I never knew about the pond or the farther-back parts of this farm.”
“What barn? I have no idea what you mean.” Her dark eyes shimmer in jest. “I was never there, but I remember stories about you and...who was it?”
Heat fills my cheeks, even after all this time. “Justin Sims.”
“I remember him. Science geek.”
“Hey, he was on the football team.”
