Personal Justice by Rayven T. Hill

introduced themselves, and she ushered them in.
    A man standing by a brick fireplace at the far side of the living room turned when they entered, approached them, and held out a hand. “Rocky Shaft. Werner’s brother.”
    The man looked to be midthirties, casually dressed, with a long, solemn face as grim and unsmiling as Maria’s. They both appeared to be under a lot of strain, understandable given the circumstances.
    They shook his offered hand and he waved toward the couch. Mrs. Shaft sat in a matching chair while Rocky stood by her side, one hand on the back of her chair, a perpetual frown on his face.
    Maria Shaft spoke first. “I talked to Detective Hank Corning earlier. He’s been helpful in answering our questions, but I feel, with your help there might be a better chance of finding Michael Norton before he disappears forever.”
    Jake smiled. “We don’t know Michael Norton or anything at all about this. Maybe we should start at the beginning, Mrs. Shaft.”
    “I’m sorry. Of course.” Mrs. Shaft offered a faint smile, leaned forward, and clasped her hands in her lap. “Michael Norton is the suspect in my husband’s murder, but he’s nowhere to be found.” She paused. “Please call me Maria.”
    Annie removed the digital recorder from her bag, switched it on, and sat it on the coffee table between them. “I hope you don’t mind if I record this?”
    “I don’t mind at all.”
    “Please tell us everything you know, Maria,” Annie said.
    Maria Shaft stopped often to wipe a tear or stifle a sob as she explained how the murder was believed to have taken place and exactly who the suspect was.
    Rocky stood, unmoving all the while. When she finished, he crossed his arms and said, “I know this Norton character. He’s bad news. My brother finally got his life straightened out and things were going good for him.” He looked down at Maria. “Weren’t they, Maria?”
    She nodded and wiped a tear. “He was a good husband.”
    “What about a motive?” Annie asked. “What reason would Norton have to kill Werner?”
    “I’ve been thinking about that,” Rocky said. “Perhaps Norton is involved in something criminal again. Maybe he approached Werner about helping him, and Werner threatened to turn him in.”
    “But weren’t they friends?” Jake asked.
    Rocky shook his head emphatically. “After prison, they went their separate ways. As far as I know, they haven’t seen each other for a long time. But I could be wrong.”
    “Are you convinced Michael Norton is the killer?” Jake asked.
    “The police have evidence against him, and given his history, I believe so.”
    “But why would he run?”
    “Perhaps he was afraid the witness saw his face,” Annie suggested.
    Jake looked at Annie. “Could be that. Or maybe there’s something else Norton’s afraid will come to light.”
    Annie picked up her recorder, shut it off, and dropped it into her handbag. “We’ll have to work on some thoughts and see what we come up with.” She stood. “We’ll do some preliminary investigation and let you know.”
    Jake stood. “Don’t give up on the police yet. Hank Corning is a friend of ours and he’s a good cop.” He looked at Annie then back at Maria. “Between us and Detective Corning, we should be able to track this guy down.”
    Maria rose and smiled. “Thank you. I can’t bear the thought of that man going free after what he did.”
    They shook hands and Rocky escorted them to the door. “Don’t worry about payment,” he said. “Werner had some savings and I’m willing to kick in. Just find my brother’s killer.”
    “We’ll do all we can and let you know,” Jake said, as he and Annie stepped outside.
    They got in the car, and as they drove away, Annie said, “I’m still not so sure about this case. Hank’s quite capable.”
    Jake looked at her and shrugged. “I’m willing to stick at it unless something else pops up.”
    Annie nodded. “Let me go over my notes and I’ll let