Free Personal Justice by Rayven T. Hill Page A

are. I’m so afraid something has happened to him.” Her smile was replaced with a worried frown.
    “We realize you’ve already spoken to Detective Corning,” Jake said. “But we have a few questions for you.”
    Tammy nodded, brushed back a strand of dark hair, and leaned forward.
    Annie pulled a file folder from her large handbag and laid it in her lap. She smiled. “Tammy, Maria Shaft indicated her husband and yours haven’t associated since being released from prison, and you said the same to Detective Corning.” She opened the file folder, slipped out the printout of the 9-ball tournament, and handed it to Tammy. “Were you aware of this?”
    Tammy took the paper and browsed it. Her frown deepened. “I knew Michael played 9-ball at the pub on occasion.” She waved the paper. “But I wasn’t aware Werner Shaft was part of it.”
    “For some reason,” Jake said. “Both of them wanted to keep it from their wives.”
    “But why?” Tammy asked, handing back the paper.
    “We think they were involved in something together,” Annie said. “Something illegal.”
    Tammy’s frown took over her whole face, revealing a hint of indignation. “That’s absurd.”
    “Perhaps,” Annie said. “But Werner Shaft was murdered for some reason.”
    Tammy reached on the stand beside her and pulled a tissue from a box. She wiped at some tears and took a deep breath. “Find my husband and this will all be cleared up.”
    “We need your help with that,” Jake said. “So far, he has eluded the police.”
    Tammy sobbed and wiped her face again. She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know where he is.”
    Jake tilted his head and looked sideways at Annie. She was leaned forward, squinting at Tammy. She stood and moved closer to the woman and bent over. Tammy looked back, confusion on her face.
    “Tammy, how did you get those marks on your face?”
    The woman’s hand shot up, covering the side of her left eye.
    Annie reached out and gently grasped Tammy’s wrist and tugged her hand away.
    Jake leaned forward and peered closer. He could see a bruise by her left eye. It looked like she had tried to cover it with makeup, and wiped the covering away with her tears.
    “I … hurt myself. I … slipped on the stairs and took a tumble.”
    Tammy sat silently as Annie put her hand under the woman’s chin, tilting her head back. Annie rubbed at a spot, revealing another attempt at hiding a bruise.
    Annie sat back down. “Tammy, did your husband do that?”
    Tammy’s face took on a look of anger, and then it softened and she dropped her head. She sobbed and wiped away another tear, now making no attempt to hide the marks on her face.
    “Tell me, Tammy. It’s important,” Annie said.
    The woman kept her head bowed and nodded weakly.
    “Does he beat you up?”
    She shrugged one shoulder.
    Annie stood and approached the woman again. She leaned down, put a hand under Tammy’s chin, and tilted her head up. “Tell me,” Annie said in a soft voice.
    Tammy looked Annie in the eye and nodded. “Sometimes,” she said. “But I was ashamed to say anything about it.”
    “Why are you defending him?” Jake asked.
    Tammy’s nostrils flared and her face reddened. “Because he’s my husband.”
    “Is that why you’re willing to help us?” Jake asked. “You’re afraid of him. You want him found, but you still think he’s innocent?”
    Tammy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she said, “Yes, I’m afraid of him. He … he’s changed lately.” She narrowed her eyes. “He never used to be like this, but now …”
    Annie waved the printout. “Did you know about their relationship?”
    Tammy shook her head. “I honestly didn’t.”
    “But you think he’s guilty of murder, don’t you?”
    The woman’s shoulders slumped and she sighed. “No.”
    “Other than yourself,” Jake asked. “Has he been violent toward others?”
    “Not that I know of.” She paused. “He can get angry