Page 9 of Maverick Detective Dad
“River knew about Jill Ritter and Winona?” Noah asked.
“He knew about Winona and what she did to me,” Jared readily admitted. “I guess you could say I’m an angry man, too, because I talked about it a lot. And River also knew about Jill Ritter because Jill’s daughter, Megan, is in the support group, too.”
Sweet heaven. Of course, it could be a coincidence, but it was a solid connection that needed investigating.
“Megan talked about her mom, about the things her mom had done to her. After I heard about Jill being murdered, I got to thinking about Winona’s death. I also did some thinking about River and how he might have, maybe, listened to what we said and decided to do something about it.”
Noah stayed quiet a moment, obviously processing that. “Who else is in the group?”
Jared gave a quick shrug. “I only know a couple of people’s names. Most don’t say or they use nicknames, and not everybody shows up regularly to the meetings. Like I said, I know Megan Ritter, and when she came to the meeting last night, she said her mom had been murdered. I read the news stories online, and one of them mentioned you were the lead detective on the investigation. That’s how I knew to get in touch with you.”
Well, that explained why he was here, and by coming forward, he’d just corroborated the most likely motives for Winona’s and Jill’s murders. It twisted at her that she was in the same category as they were. And even worse, she was responsible for a woman’s death while Winona’s and Jill’s victims were still alive.
“Who runs the Peace Seekers?” Noah asked Jared.
“Daisy Reyes. She’s a counselor. I don’t know anything about her because she doesn’t get into her own personal stuff. I do know that River Parnell doesn’t live in San Antonio,” Jared went on. “He’s mentioned he lives on his grandparents’ ranch. I’m not sure where that is though.”
“I’ll find his address, and I’ll be talking to him,” Noah assured him. “I’ll be talking to Daisy Reyes and everyone else in the group. Other than Jill Ritter’s daughter Megan, do you recall anyone else mentioning anything about a murder? Did River say anything about the two dead women?”
“No, nothing.” Jared shook his head. “I hope I’m not causing trouble for him if he didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll sort that out.” Noah paused. “Does the name Delbert Washington mean anything to you?”
That was the man murdered in Houston. The one who’d been responsible for a woman’s death during a bar fight.
Jared repeated the name under his breath, frowned. “No. You think he’s in Peace Seekers?”
Noah made a noncommittal sound, but Everly knew what he was thinking. Since Delbert was already dead, murdered, then it would be more likely that someone connected to his dead victim was in Peace Seekers. Well, if that case held pattern with the other two.
Groaning softly, Jared leaned forward a little. “Look, I hate putting this kind of suspicion on River, but I didn’t want to just sit back and wait to see if somebody else got killed.”
“You were right to come forward,” Noah assured him. “I’ll investigate and get back to you if I learn anything.” He handed Jared a notepad and pen that he took from Grayson’s desk. “Just write down your contact information and any of the members’ names you do know. Also, make sure to call me if you remember anything else that might help.”
“I will,” he said as he wrote. “Am I in danger? Because I’m not exactly in a position to defend myself.” Jared quickly tacked that on to his question.
“I don’t think you’re in danger, but you shouldn’t try to contact River or anyone else in the group. I’ll do that. I also won’t mention to River or to the others that I’ve spoken with you. I’m asking you to do the same. Don’t tell any of them that you came to see me. Not until I’ve given you the okay to do that.”
The next breath that Jared blew out seemed to be one of relief. There was a good reason for that. If someone in that group was a killer, then that person might object to someone setting the cops on him. If Jared followed Noah’s instructions, it would help keep him safe.
Noah took the notepad from Jared when he’d finished writing and set it on Grayson’s desk. “I’ll just see Jared to the door,” Noah muttered to her.
Everly didn’t waste any time. The moment Noah and Jared were out of the office, she looked at what the man had written. His address, the address of the Peace Seekers meetings and some names.
Daisy Reyes, the counselor.
Megan Ritter, the daughter of the woman whose murder Noah was now investigating.
River Parnell, the suspect Jared had just handed to them.
Bobby, last name unknown.
Everly took out her phone, did a quick search on the Peace Seekers, and she went to their website. There was a picture of a pastoral setting of Texas wildflowers, followed by an invitation to attend if you were a survivor of violence or trauma. The only contact info was for the counselor, but there were also numbers for a suicide help line and other support groups. What was missing was a list of any members which didn’t surprise Everly. Groups like that didn’t usually advertise that sort of thing.
When she heard footsteps, she looked up and saw Noah making his way back toward her. He was on his phone, apparently leaving a voice mail for someone to call him ASAP.
“I was trying to get in touch with Daisy Reyes,” he informed her after he put his phone away. “I got her number from the dispatcher, but she didn’t answer. I left her a message.”
“Good. Though she might not cooperate if she thinks this will violate counselor-client privilege.”
