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“I hate that,” she said as she snagged her purse and holstered her Glock. “Let’s go. I’ll keep you from bashing skulls.”
“Fiona, so you know,” he said as they walked outside and he held an umbrella over her head, “if I want to crack that man’s skull, you and no army can stop me. And I’m not sure you would. You blurred some lines when it came to the Nursery Rhyme Killer.”
“And it nearly killed me.” He opened her door and she jumped in. Then he rounded the vehicle, getting soaked when he lowered the umbrella and tucked it inside. “You’re going to be one of Asa’s best men. You have to survive to stand up there and witness our marriage.”
“I witnessed your first one.”
She laughed. “This one’s gonna stick.”
He believed it, and that was causing some existential issues with him. Was he here for a divine planned purpose, or was his being on earth simply chance? Ty kept waiting for Asa, Fiona and Violet to revert back to the people they once were, but their newfound faith seemed anchored down deep while Ty might as well be a kite blowing in the wind with no one manning the string.
Except for this UNSUB.
“Don’t you even want to know about the case in Natchez?”
“Not to be a jerk, but I don’t care about anything except this case.”
“Fair enough.”
The remainder of the drive was silent. Ethan was pacing the interview room when they arrived. He’d barely been released when he’d had to turn back around.
Deputy Dorn thumbed toward Ethan. “I’ve already tried. He’s not going to give you squat.”
“But you know him, right?”
Dorn snorted. “We went to school together. I wouldn’t call that knowing him well.”
Selah’s dig into Grady Dorn revealed very little concerning Ethan Lantrip other than they went to school together and the two had been suspended for three days for fighting each other. Lantrip had given Dorn a broken nose and two fractured ribs. Didn’t appear they made nice, but nothing more nefarious than that. At least not on paper.
“Seems you knew his fist pretty well.”
“Water under the bridge.”
Was it?
Dorn touched his slightly crooked nose. “I went to one side of the law and clearly he chose another. You want me to come in there with you?”
“Nah. But thanks.” Ty motioned Fiona to follow him inside the room. “Ethan, nice to see you again. This is my colleague Agent Kelly.”
Skipper dipped his chin in greeting. “What is it you need from me now? I told you I dumped a body. I have nothing to add or offer.” He ran his hands through his long hair and chewed on his already nubby fingernails.
“Why did you come forward?” Ty asked as he sat across from him. “That’s sticking in my craw, man.”
Ethan shrugged. “I guess I was feeling guilty about it.”
“Try again.”
“What? I do feel guilty. I mean, I didn’t kill her, but I’m not into that stuff. I’m a boat captain and I live a pretty simple life, which is the way I like it.”
“I think someone has dirt on you. No one confesses to a crime when they’re not even on the law’s radar for it.”
“Mr. Lantrip,” Fiona said, “we’re not interested in the fact you dumped a body. I’m sure someone is, but it’s not why we’re here. We’re concerned about the missing women, soon to be dead women if we don’t find them. If you’re not into that stuff, then help us keep them alive. You had no reason to come to us unless you have an ulterior motive to get Patrick Swain in trouble. Is that it or is it something else?”
Skipper snapped to attention with wide eyes. Then he bit down on his bottom lip.
That was it. This wasn’t about Jenny Davis or Skipper’s conscience. It was about Patrick Swain. “Who else knew about Jenny’s death?” Ty asked. “Was there anyone else at the house that night? Any other male participants?”
Skipper shifted in the metal chair and raked a hand through his hair again, a nervous tick. “I don’t know. That’s above my pay grade. I give them a ride and I pick them up. Sometimes they’re a little high or drunk and talk about the fantasy. Sometimes they don’t. But Jenny was dead when I got there. No one was around but Patrick that I saw. Not even the guy who did her.”
