Page 20 of Broken: Taylor

Chapter 7

Although the newsdid not surprise Mindy Snyder, her heart was still shattered when a police officer came into her cafe to inform her of her brother’s murder.

Only a few weeks earlier, Brian had moved in with her. He’d talked nonstop of starting a life away from drugs.

As much as she wished it to be true, a part of her never let her guard down. He’d told that same story too many times.

By his jumpy demeanor and the constant refusal to go anywhere, she suspected he was in some sort of trouble. It had to be either the law or some drug dealer after money he owed.

More than once she’d asked if he needed money to pay someone off or if he’d had caused someone so much harm, they’d come after him.

Every single time Brian would react badly. He was defensive and refused to talk about it. Her brother had done something terrible or terribly wrong to the point someone wanted him dead.

Whoever it was that killed her brother had been enraged. The police suspected the killer knew Brian. The killer had been so angry at something, they’d stabbed him enough times to ensure he was truly dead.

Her tissue fell apart when she dabbed at the constant flow of tears. The police officer, Eric Hamilton, pulled a handkerchief out of his back pocket and handed it to her.

For a moment she looked up and met his gaze. No one carried handkerchiefs anymore that she knew of. “Thank you.”

She sniffed loudly into the cloth wishing everyone in the shop to disappear. It was closed for business, however her employee was busy making coffee and toasting bagels and such for the law enforcement officers who’d come to town for the investigation.

Two detectives from Billings joined Eric and his partner Jacob Myers. There were a few other people seated at tables by the windows whom she assumed were crime scene investigators. None of them spoke to her, leaving the detectives to do the questioning.

“I’m sorry, we need to find out as much as we can about Brian and what he was doing since arriving here,” a detective said, his eyes moving from her face to the handkerchief she wrapped and unwrapped around her finger.

“I understand,” Mindy replied. And although she did, at the same time she was frustrated at herself for not having asked Brian more questions.

She should have insisted he tell her the truth about what happened. Under the guise of not wanting to cause him more stress, she’d probably made matters worse.

“He was hiding something or from someone. Although he’d been living with me for almost three months, I can probably count on one hand the times he left the house.”

The detective exchanged looks with Eric who lowered to sit next to her. “What did he do all day?”

“Cleaned, fixed things. My house has never been so perfect. Every item that needed the slightest fixing, he took care of. Most days he insisted on cooking and such. Of course he’d give me a list and ask me to pick up items at the grocery store.”

This time the detective spoke. “Did you not find it odd that he never left the house? What reasons did he give you for not going out?”

“Of course I found it odd. The only outdoors place he went was in the back yard. He’d mow the lawn and such. Sometimes, he’d sit on my back-porch swing for hours, just thinking.”

“And the reason he gave you?” Eric prodded.

Mindy wanted to scream with frustration. Her only brother was dead and they wanted her to relive every single conversation she’d had with him.

“I knew he was detoxing from drug use. Meth. Said it was embarrassing to go out in public because he shook so much. Especially when he was tired or nervous.”

Eric Hamilton’s hazel gaze met hers. “Did he? Did he shake a lot?”

Now that she considered it, she rarely noticed it. Every once in a while, when they ate, his hand would shake a bit. “Sometimes. It was barely noticeable. I mentioned it to him. Told him he seemed steady enough to me. But he’d ignore my comments.”

She slid to the edge of the seat. Her leg touched Eric’s and for a moment it jolted her thoughts away from what she was about to say. Clearing her throat, she moved to the side a bit so they’d not touch.

“Look, I knew something was off. I suspected he either owed someone money or had stolen drugs. He was my only brother and we were close. I know...knew him well. He trusted me.”

The detective held out a hand to stop Eric from saying something. “Is that why he came here? To your house instead of other family members?”

“My father is remarried and lives in Seattle. Mom and Brian had a huge falling out because of his drug use. He’d not go there.”

Eric studied her for a long moment until she wondered what he’d been on the brink of asking.

She turned to him. “Why do you think someone killed my brother?”

He looked to the detective before meeting her gaze again. How had she not noticed the striking color of his eyes? The palest green with golden specks, they were a stark contrast to his olive toned complexion.

Without expression, he spoke, “I think it was personal. Whoever killed your brother knew him and was angry at something that had transpired between them. It could be he owed the person money, but I suspect it went deeper than that.”

“Oh.” Mindy couldn’t think of anything Brian ever said that indicated someone was angry with him. Then again, he’d been especially quiet the last few weeks.

“When can I see about getting my brother’s body and prepare for his funeral?”

The detective motioned to a woman who’d introduced herself as a medical examiner earlier. The woman gave her an understanding look. “Unfortunately, it could be at least a week. With this being a murder investigation, we need to examine him and ensure every injury is documented. Also search for any evidence that could be found.”

Mindy’s phone chimed and she closed her eyes. It was time to call her parents and inform them of what happened. She’d avoided it until she’d be able to give them more answers. Both would be there within hours, demanding answers and probably ask her the same questions the police had.