“Rough morning?” Kelly asked, looking up from the puzzle.
“Can you tell?”
Kelly glanced at his shoes. She knew something was bothering him. She also knew it would be difficult getting it out of him.
“I heard all about it on the radio.”
“Half the county heard I was meeting Buzz. Mac was supposed to scramble the calls.”
“Don’t blame him.”
“It was a simple request.”
“Under normal circumstances no one listens.”
“Someone’s been listening now.”
“Did you get a look at who did it?”
“It all happened too fast. By the time I was dragging poor Buzz out of the water, the car was already down the road.”
“Nancy called,” Kelly said, almost forgetting the call. “She wants you to stop by the lab.”
Dan took a sip of coffee and then looked around the room nervously.
“Would you mind if we had company for Sunday’s barbecue?”
“Anybody I know,” Kelly asked, teasing her father.
“No. But you could get to know her,” Dan said looking at Kelly for her reaction.
“It’s about time. I was going to ask you how your date went, but I guess if she’s coming for Sunday dinner, it went well.”
“It’s just awkward talking to you about my date.”
“Why, you always want to know about mine?”
“That’s different,” Dan laughed.
She smiled up at her father. “I’m glad it went well.”
Dan set his coffee down. “If you don’t mind I’m going to take a run up to Little Rock. If Nancy calls again, tell her I’ll stop by the lab when I get back in.”
“You’re bothered by all this, aren’t you?”
Dan shook his head. “Used to be a nice place to live.”
“Still is.”
“Make sure you keep the doors locked after I leave.”
“That bad?” Kelly looked up with concern.
“Four dead bodies in three days aren’t good for the numbers.”
“There’s only one person doing the killing. You get him and it all stops.”
“I wish I had your optimism.” Dan said with a puzzled look. “Things don’t add up. Buzz was going to tell me something about Jason.” Dan hesitated for a moment and then continued. “But how does it figure into the Ames boy? Then Junior killing himself. If that’s what happened.”
Kelly got up from the table and walked over to her father. She wrapped her arms around him. Dan kissed the top of her head. He was thankful he had her to come home to, otherwise he didn’t know how he would survive when things didn’t go right.
* * *
Dan stood outside the Medical Examiner’s lab. The door was locked but Nancy’s Outback was still parked in the lot. He pressed the button again. Finally the familiar voice on the intercom answered his call.
“Who is it?” Nancy asked.
“It’s Sheriff Harter.”
The buzzer going off indicated the door lock had been released. Dan quickly pulled open the door.
Dan walked into the lab as Nancy shoved the slab back in the wall unit. She shut the door and then turned to Dan.
“You’re locking the outside door now?” Dan asked as he watching Nancy closely.
“You bet, at least until all this settles down.”
“That’s a smart move,” Dan added.
“I called you earlier.”
“Yeah. I got your message, but I had to check something out.”
Nancy walked over to the desk. “What do you want first?” she asked.
“At this point, I don’t really care.”
“Got the results from Junior’s shirt. It was the Ames boy’s blood.”
“Figured as much.”
Nancy picked up the clipboard. “You’re not going to like this one though,” she added.
“I’d ask you not to tell me, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t listen.”
Nancy handed Dan the clipboard. “Junior’s neck was broken, but not consistent with a hanging.”
“Shit! I was so hoping it was suicide,” Dan said, thinking for a moment. “No one claims to have seen anyone enter the jail.” Dan shook his head. “With Maria out front everyone was watching her.”
“Maybe you can get her to talk,” Nancy said.
“Judging by the bruise on her face, and her not wanting to press charges, I think she knows enough to keep her mouth shut. At least for now.”
Dan flipped through the pages. “Anything else?”
“All I can do is tell you what I know,” she said.
Nancy shrugged her shoulders. She took the clipboard from Dan and set it back on the desk.
“Who do you think would do such a thing?”
“I’m narrowing the field down.”
Dan walked away, but then turned and looked at Nancy for the longest time before speaking.
“You were going to tell me something the other day,” he said.
“I was?” She asked with a puzzled look.
“About Alan Maxwell.”
Nancy turned away before answering. “It was a long time ago, seven, maybe eight years ago. I said it was nothing.”
“It had to do with the disappearance of that boy up in Little Rock.”
“How did you find out?”
“I got an old Army buddy working for the FBI up in Little Rock. I had him do a little checking for me.”
“I’m impressed,” she said.
“Do you want to tell me about it now?”
“What’s to tell? The cops had Alan Maxwell as a person of interest. The Senator pulled strings. Before I knew it, the Senator whisked his little golden boy out of town,” Nancy remarked and then laughed. “The next thing I heard, Alan married this rich widow and became respectable.”
“How certain were you that Alan was involved?” Dan asked.
“It didn’t matter. Although…”
“Although what?”
Nancy shook her head in frustration. “I don’t know. There was more at stake,” she said while raising her hands. “Politics. What can I say?”
“I remember in high school, Alan always came to school with bruises. He claimed it was from breaking mustangs or a fight with someone. But no one ever was able to substantiate any of it. And I think he had a fear of horses.”
“And no one did anything?”
“It was a different time.”
“Abuse breeds abuse.”
Dan frowned. “He was a kid just like me, I can’t believe he killed Jason. Christ, they were friends.”
“Maybe you can get him to talk to you.”
“Yeah, before more people turn up dead.”
“Did your friend have anything else to say?” Nancy asked.
“No, but I’m having him check a few things out for me.” Dan glanced around and then turned to Nancy. “You about ready to leave?”
“I guess.”
Dan took Nancy by the arm. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.
Nancy looked up at Dan. There was concern in his voice and on his face so she did not argue. She too had been a little more concerned about her safety in recent days. Hence the locked lab door after everyone else left for the day.
As they left the building Dan walked Nancy over to her Outback. She took out her keyless entry unit and pressed the button to unlock the doors.
“I enjoyed dinner last night,” he said looking down at Nancy.
“So did I.”
“Would you like to come over Sunday for a cookout? You can meet my daughter.”
“Only if you promise to stop drumming up business for me.”
Dan smiled. “I promise.”
Dan opened Nancy’s car door but before she could climb in Dan pulled her into his arms. He cupped the bottom of her chin with his free hand and kissed her gently. He stopped suddenly.
“I’m sorry.”
Nancy kissed him back and whispered softly, “Don’t be.”
Dan pulled her closer and kissed her long and hard. He so missed the warmth of a woman’s body. This felt good and natural.