“Why would this guy care so much about losing a crappy job at a sporting goods store?” Pete asked. “I’d just go down the road to another store and get a job.”

“Logan isn’t too bright,” Tom answered, “and he had been working at Steve’s for a long time, so the job was important to him.”

Mitch thought he saw something the cops had overlooked, and that this might be a good time to mention it. “So, isn’t it possible this Logan Vonda guy helped Danny murder Rachel and Evan? Why did Danny then commit suicide? How do we know this guy is telling the truth and that he didn’t commit the murders and then stage Danny’s suicide?”

Carolyn nodded and added, “I agree, that makes much more sense.”

All the people who had known Danny for years warmed to this explanation, and they tried to persuade Thompson to pursue this possibility.

Thompson took a gulp of water and glanced around the table. He then said, “I know how hard this must be for all of you, or maybe I don’t, because I’ve never had a family member or close friend commit a heinous crime like this. We have explored Logan Vonda’s role, and we are fairly confident he didn’t participate in the murders, but not 100 percent certain yet. However, I can tell you with certainty that Danny committed these murders and then took his own life.”

There was a collective feeling that their hope that Danny might in some way be redeemed was being peremptorily dismissed. Mitch spoke again for the group. “All we are saying is that it’s very suspicious that this Logan guy has admitted to plotting a crime with Danny, and that it’s confusing to us that he is getting off scot-free, while Danny, who isn’t here to speak for him—”

“I assure you there is much more to this story that you don’t yet know,” Thompson interrupted. It was obvious his patience was wearing thin. “I have tried to explain this in the way in which it unfolded because the details of the actual murders are very difficult, or, to be blunt, they are exceptionally unpleasant. Once you have heard all the facts, I assure you it will become apparent that Mr. Turner committed this crime.”

He glanced at his watch. “So please, be patient and let me continue.”

CHAPTER 10

Midnight

Deep into that darkness peering,
long I stood there,
wondering, fearing
—Edgar Allan Poe