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“Often. You and Dad both dated Mom.”
“And yous father won her hand. But I was compensated when I met my Helen, God rest her soul.” He squared his sloped shoulders. “I will make this ring something very special. I know Annie well, and it would be my honor, eh. When can yous get the ring to me?”
“I’ll need to have it sent from Chicago. It’s in my dad’s safe, but I can have it here in a day or two.”
An inquisitive expression crouched between his eyes. “There’s a rumor Glenn Hussert escaped police custody from the hospital. This is true, eh?”
It would be in today’s paper, so Jon wasn’t spilling anything he shouldn’t. “It’s true.”
“Terrible thing. I never trusted that man. Or his best friend.”
“Who is his best friend? We haven’t gotten any concrete names, just those of acquaintances.”
“Well, it’s his cousin, eh. Joel West.”
Where had Jon heard that name? It wouldn’t come to him, but he would think about it. Mason and Annie might remember right off. “Strange the sheriff hasn’t checked out his relatives.”
“They’re distant cousins, not first, so not sure how many know. My niece lived next door to Joel’s parents, and my daughter used to help her babysit when the boys were young. Glenn spent the night there a lot. That’s the only reason I know about the relationship.”
Jon followed the convoluted explanation without a problem and couldn’t wait to tell Mason and Annie what he’d heard. “Thanks for the information. I’ll bring you the ring as soon as it arrives.”
But wait. How did he tell Annie about the conversation without revealing where he’d heard it?
Nine
Mason got a call as they were leaving the Hussert home, and Deja Lewis—Mason’s new deputy that Annie had yet to meet—told him Michelle Fraser was in the office. The woman was in tears and wanted to speak to Annie. Mason had another stop to make on his way back, so Annie headed straight to see Michelle.
If there was a problem with her husband, why had she come here instead of going to the Marquette police? She parked on the street and headed inside where she found Michelle in a conference room waiting for her at a table. A bottle of tea was uncapped in front of her, and a pack of cheese crackers was unopened beside it.
The brunette’s brown eyes were red rimmed, and she twisted a damp tissue in her hands. Her mouth trembled when she saw Annie. “I know you’re wondering why I’m here,” she said in a shaky voice. “But Brandon has his fingers in everything in Marquette. I couldn’t be sure someone wouldn’t let him know I had filed a complaint.”
This sounded far from a happy couple making their marriage work. Annie pulled a chair out across from the other woman. “I can see you’re upset. What’s wrong?”
“It would be faster to tell you whatisn’twrong.” Michelle shredded the tissue in her hands. “Brandon has a girlfriend. Ifound out he’s been seeing her for five years. Five years! From before we were married and all through our marriage. He professed undying love when I was rescued from the cabin, but it didn’t take long after I moved back in to find out it was all a lie.”
“My sister was surprised you went home. She said he’d been abusive.”
Michelle gave a bob of her head. “He was. I stupidly believed him when he said it would never happen again, that counseling would help him. It was such a huge thing for him to agree, and I thought maybe he could change. He’s been going, but he still gets so mad.”
Annie gentled her tone. “He’s hurt you again?”
Without a word Michelle pulled up the sleeve on her quarter-length red top to reveal ugly bruises on her upper arm. The marks were clearly made by someone gripping her very hard. Annie winced and struggled to push down her rage at a man who would hurt a woman.
Michelle tipped her chin up and touched a bruise on the underside of her jawline. “And here. He didn’t see enough affection in my expression.” She shook her head. “I’ve left him again. For good this time. But I need a place to stay where he can’t get to me. Is there anything you can do to help me?”
“You still have that condo out on Whisper Pike. I don’t think he knows where it is, and you’d have the deputies here to fall back on.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. The shelter paid for it, but I have enough money to keep up the rent.”
Annie took a sip of her coffee. “Did you ever hear from Idoya?”
“No. I think she went to Canada. She had relatives there, but I’m not sure where.”
“Glenn Hussert was spirited out of the hospital,” Annie said. “Has he been in touch with Brandon?”
“Not to my knowledge.” Her brown eyes widened. “You think he’ll come after me?”
“The sheriff thinks it’s possible. You could testify against him. Without direct witnesses, it will be hard to convict him, so Mason wanted to make sure you were safe. If you move into your condo, he’ll have a deputy swing by as often as possible.” Another thought occurred to Annie. “I have an extra cabin at my place, and honestly, I could use a little help at the resort. Just checking people in and out, renting boats, that kind of thing. Would you be interested? I can’t pay a lot, but you’d get food and lodging and a small stipend. And there are people around all the time in the campground. I think you’d be safe.”
