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Chapter 9 – Betty Wilson
An irritated Catherine closed the phone in her hand. She just spent five whole minutes discussing with Sara about the boy she and Brass had found in a closet. She knew that Sara was capable of handling him, she did it with Brenda Collins. With Brenda, Sara was the only one who could reach the little girl. She had been witness of the interaction between the two of them. It just pissed her off that the fact that she was a mother was a constant to treat children. Sometimes she couldn't reach her own daughter, something Sara didn't have trouble with.
Catherine returned to the living room where Warrick and Mr. Wilson were expecting her. They were in the middle of a conversation about Betty when the phone had ring.
Sara had a bad timing when she called and Catherine was furious about that, but when she entered the room, her expression softened.
In words of her brother, Betty Wilson was special. He had told them that he always admired her because she was smart, funny, she always worked hard to be able to go to Harvard to study mathematics, and was a regular on the Church.
By the way he spoke of his sister, Catherine could see that he loved her. It was the kind of love that a father shows to his daughter. Their history wasn't very pleasant. A mother who died when she gave birth to Betty, a father who died of a heart attack when Betty was ten, the rape, the trial.
"But she overcome it" Mr. Wilson was saying when Catherine took a seat next to Warrick on the sofa in front of the man. He was devastated by his sister's loss, and there was a mist in his eyes, like he was going to cry at any time.
He passed a photograph to Catherine who took it and examined it. It was a photograph of a group of people, in the centre of the picture was a young girl smiling. Above the heads of the group was a placard it said " Saint Thomas' church". She was beautiful, and full of life. Next to her was a man dressed in black with a clerical collar. There were five other people, including Owen Wilson who was on the right side of the girl with and arm over the girl's shoulders. They were smiling to the camera. Catherine couldn't stop the thought that the girl was exceptional. She was good looking like her brother, and had an intense look, sparkling with life, a life that was changed when Carl Roth raped her.
"When was this picture taken?" Catherine asked returning the picture to the man in front of her.
"It was during Betty's seventeenth birthday." Mr Wilson answered. "She was very helpful at the church. Always was laughing and happy. She was special."
"Who's the man next to her? It seems that they were good friends" She asked pointing to the man dressed in black. He was in his forties and had a powerful presence even in a photograph. But he was looking at the girl like he was her daughter.
"It's Father Silecio" Mr. Wilson said. "He runs Saint Thomas' Church. It's a good friend and he helped me to reach Betty when she was….raped"
It was obvious to Catherine that Owen loved her sister, and sometimes this loved could be turned into wrath to the victim of her case. She had stated a long time ago that if anything happen to Lindsey she would be capable of murder. First she was her child, and then even if they weren't, right now on the best terms she loved her with all of her heart. So she'd understand that talking about the rapist of her sister could be painful and unchain feelings of rage and fury, and wishes of seeing the man dead. But she needed to ask.
"Mr. Wilson, the name of Carl Roth is familiar to you?"
"Of course it's familiar to me!" He snap, he had passed from almost crying to an access of controlled fury. "He is the bastard that raped my sister. She passed through a hell during the trial. He took all his youth, her smile, her innocence from her" He was furious now and there were tears in his eyes. "She was the only family I had. That was when I lost my sister for the first time. Losing her was losing my life" he wiped the tears with the back of his hand.
He took a couple of deep breaths and continued "I though that all about Betty's … rape was solved. That it was a case closed"
"I'm sorry to bring to you bad memories, but the matter is that we have a few questions about the last time you saw Carl Roth" Catherine said gently
"Why?"
"Sir, please, answer the question" Warrick said to the man seriously but at the same time gently.
"I told you when was the last time I saw him! It was when a jury of twelve people condemned him to four years of prison." He was angrier. Talking about the rapist of her sister it was something he didn't want. It brought him to lose control.
"So you didn't see him after the trial?"
"No, I don't, and I don't understand why are you asking me about him?" He said angrier than before. He hated this man to the bone.
"Mr. Wilson, we found Carl Roth dead in not very peaceful circumstances"
"I hope he suffer like the pig he was!" Mr Wilson said with a whisper full of rage.
"He suffered" Catherine confirmed. "I know this is difficult to you, but we need to know where you were this morning"
He looked her like she had slapped him in the face and the angry look turned to appear.
"Are you accusing me of something?" He asked looking to Catherine. Warrick stiffened, ready to defend her if it was necessary.
"We are not accusing you of anything, but you need to understand that we have to investigate all points of view" Warrick said calmly
"I was with father Silecio all the morning, we had lunch together. He is the person who helped my sister and me in many ways." He looked back at the picture. "All of them helped us to find the peace"
"Did you know that when Carl Roth was release from jail he raped her again?"
There was an uncomfortable silence. His eyes went from Catherine to Warrick. There was surprise and stupor in them.
"No… No, I didn't know." He made a pause, letting the photograph on the coffee table "But in someway I knew that something happened to Betty. Two days before she…killed herself…I found her in the church crying. I tried to ask her what was wrong but she refused any physical contact. I asked her what happened, but she didn't tell me anything, just to stay away of her." He swallowed "The symptoms were there, but she didn't want anything. She just kept crying. Two days later I found her in the bathroom…."
"I'm so sorry for your loss. I know this is difficult for you, but we need to verify your statement. It's procedure." Catherine said to the man softly
"I understand" He said nodding. "You can find him on the Church, I'll give you the address" He stood up and went for a card.
Catherine and Warrick examined the room. There were a few photographs on the chimney. Most of them of the two brothers. She could see that they were very united. A few photograph were from the same group climbing a mountain, on a barbecue or in a Lake wearing diving suits. They seemed a compact group.
She looked through the library next to the chimney. There were plenty of books about chemistry, mathematics, religion, history. He seemed a culture person, versed in different areas from chemicals to poetry
She was examining a book of religion in question when Owen Wilson returned and handed her a card with the directions of the church.
After a few exchange of words, they left the house. When they exited, Catherine examined the house. It was a regular house in a calm neighborhood. Identical houses with white railings painted in white. She wondered how people could find their homes when they were drunk. With that thought they reached the Tahoe and drove off.
TBC