Over the next few minutes, Linda told us about her relationship with Peter Sullivan, about the late nights they spent together at his house in Nags Head, and their plans for the future.
“We were in love,” she said. “I didn’t even know about Rosalie until a couple of days before Peter died. I found a letter in the pocket of his coat from her. She was begging him to leave me, to go back to her. I confronted him and we fought. He told me he was going to end things with her, that he loved me and only me.” Her voice shook as she recounted the heated exchange, her knuckles white as she wrung her hands together. “And then two days later, he was dead. I woke up to the news that he had been killed, and Rosalie was the prime suspect. I’ve been here…hiding, ever since.”
Andrew leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. “Did Peter ever mention being afraid of Rosalie? Or anyone else for that matter?”
Linda shook her head, her hair dancing around her face like a swirl of autumn leaves. “No. Peter wasn’t afraid of anyone, certainly not someone like Rosalie, or even me for that matter. The only thing that scared him was losing his wealth. He was constantly paranoid about his financial standing, always checking stocks and making shady deals to keep his money rolling.”
“Shady deals?” Andrew raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by this new piece of information.
“Yes. He was involved in some sort of illicit trade. I’m not sure what exactly, but he always had these strange people coming over to the house… Men with cold eyes and briefcases full of cash. Peter told me it was nothing, just business. But after a while, I knew something was amiss.”
Andrew sat up, interest flashing in his eyes, a predator catching scent of its prey. “Did you ever meet these men? Do you remember names, faces?”
Linda frowned. “I…I don't know. I mean, there were so many of them, and they all looked kinda alike. But you should probably talk to Graham Walden, he was Peter’s business associate. He came by a few times when these men were there…seemed to know them.”
Andrew jotted down the name on his notepad. “Graham Walden. Got it. And where would we find this Graham Walden?”
“I don’t know. He lives in Charleston, I’m not sure exactly where. But I’d be careful if I were you,” Linda warned. “These men, they’re…dangerous. They were never violent toward me, but there was something about them, the way they moved. It was like walking among sleeping lions.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.” Andrew stood, signaling the end of the conversation. “Thanks for your time, Linda. I’m going to alert the sheriff about everything you’ve told me. We’ll look into Graham Walden and his associates. In the meantime, keep a low profile, at least until we can get an officer out here to watch your house.”
Linda nodded, letting out a sigh that seemed to drain the life from her. “Thank you,” she said. “Both of you. You don’t know the toll this has taken on me.”
“What do you think?” Andrew asked as we made our way back to the car. “Do you think she’s telling the truth or lying to us?”
I recalled Linda’s words, that look of genuine fear in her eyes. “I think she’s being truthful. Which means this is much bigger than a simple small town love triangle.”
“Agreed,” said Andrew, opening the door for me. “If Peter was involved in some shady dealings, his murder could have been a hit. And if that’s the case, we all need to watch our backs.”
27
With the authoritiesnow investigating Peter’s business dealings, Andrew and I were free to focus on the facts of the case and how we might tie them together to paint a picture of Rosie’s innocence.
As the trial progressed, so did my fascination with it. I expressed my interest to Andrew over dinner one night, telling him how I wished I had chosen law as my path of study in school rather than mathematics.
“It’s never too late,” he said, smiling warmly over his glass of red wine. “With the proper tutelage, you could be ready to take the bar in just a couple of years.”
“I don’t know,” I said, allowing my mind to wander toward possibilities I had never before entertained. “Do you really think I have what it takes to do what you do?”
Andrew studied me, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, then he smiled again. “I have seen the determination in you, the tenacity. The way you have supported Rosie through all of this, it shows character. Law isn't just about knowing rules and regulations. It's about a sense of justice, the ability to empathize, and the willingness to stand up for what is right even if the whole world is against you.”
His words stirred up something within me. I had never seen myself through the lens he was providing, and it was both surprising and exciting. The idea of becoming a lawyer—not just any lawyer, but one like Andrew, always calm amidst the storm, standing up for what was right regardless of the odds—began to take root.
After that, the stars seemed to align. Andrew and I were drawn to each other, our connection deepening with each passing day. When Andrew wasn’t trying Rosie’s case, we would sit for hours, talking about our hopes and dreams. With each shared secret we felt the pieces of our broken hearts slowly starting to mend. Eventually, I let go of the pain from my past, choosing instead to focus on this newfound hope blossoming within me.
Even Judy began to notice the change in me. She watched with curious eyes as I hummed while preparing meals or twirled around the room, caught up in my own happiness. She, too, had grown quite fond of Andrew, his quiet demeanor and unwavering dedication slowly winning her over. One morning, while preparing breakfast, Judy asked if Andrew was going to become a permanent fixture in our lives. It was a question I had also begun to ponder.
“I don’t know,” I said as I kneaded dough for the morning biscuits. “I mean, he’s a great guy and all, but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t know. I just… I feel guilty, that’s all.”
“For what?”
“For being happy, I guess,” I admitted, my hands momentarily stilling in the dough. “After everything that's happened to Rosie, it just seems wrong to feel so joyful.”
She looked at me and tilted her head a bit, studying me with those piercing blue eyes of hers. “You know that's not how Rosie would want you to feel, right? You can’t put your happiness onhold just because she’s going through a tough time. We all have our battles to fight, and you deserve to be happy. Besides, Rosie’s going to be fine. She’s a fighter, and I have faith that Andrew will find a way to clear her name. Then, things can go back to normal around here.”