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“Honestly, I haven’t seen the man in years. Didn’t even really give him much thought. But then...” The sheriff suddenly closed his eyes, shoulders sagging. “Shhhh-rimp.”
“Spit it out, Sheriff,” Kimberly demanded.
“I normally don’t pay much mind to gossip. But Bill... rumor is he and Franny have been having an affair for years. She’s single and it’s not like he has a real marriage.”
“Your receptionist, Franny, is dating our dead rifleman?”
“She said Bill came to the department today. Raised such a fuss, the deputy who was watching Mayor Howard had to assist.” The sheriff’s voice had grown hoarse. “Howard hanged himself. Then Franny... Franny came to the inn with me.”
“Franny is at the Mountain Laurel?” Flora spoke up sharply, then promptly winced. “With D.D.? And Bonita?”
“Super tall, surprisingly broad-shouldered Franny?” Kimberly asked more pointedly, staring at the sheriff. “Because it’s not like Bill Benson is a big guy. Where according to Bonita, her monster is huge.”
It was hard to tell in the dark, but it was possible the sheriff’s face had gone white. “Bill’s wife is a wisp of a woman.”
“We saw her picture at his store,” Keith confirmed. “Not exactly a giant among women.”
“You said Franny was pregnant, that Franny lost her baby,” Kimberly continued. “What if that’s just a story she told, and the real reason she stayed in town, got a job at the sheriff’s department, was to remain near her son?”
“That poor boy,” the sheriff murmured. “Stuck at home all day with a crazy woman.”
“Given up by another crazy woman,” Flora added dryly.
“We have to get back.” Keith was already standing up. “Bill and Franny must be working together. That’s why Bill knew to be outside the tunnels. He was waiting for Franny to lead us out. He was going to pick us off one by one.”
“Help me up,” said Flora, still propped awkwardly against the boulder. Blood caked half her face. She raised an arm, but even that appeared halfhearted. Keith moved immediately to her side, offering his shoulder for support as she struggled to her feet.
Flora winced, almost toppled, but Keith caught her again. “Why are there two of you?” she asked.
“Twice the fun?”
“Good God, that’s awful. But thanks for cheering me up.” Kimberly checked her phone. “I don’t have a signal. You?” she asked the sheriff.
He shook his head.
“Try your radio. We need backup. Every officer in the damn county, state, I don’t care. And circulate the description of Bill Benson, Jr.—”
“Clayton.”
“Armed and dangerous. Approach with caution. I’ll handle FAA. Get out a notice to apprehend anyone matching Franny’s or Clayton’s description, ground charter flights, whatever it takes. Given their access to the dark web, there’s no telling how many resources they have available. Certainly, they must’ve had some kind of escape plan in place for life after ambushing a federal taskforce.”
“Agreed.”
“Uh, guys.” Flora again. “I think you two should go ahead. I’m not, um, I’m not moving so well.”
Even with Keith’s arm around her waist, she was swaying where she stood. Now, the vigilante held out her butterfly blade to Kimberly. “For good luck.”
“You keep that. We don’t know how many people are roaming these tunnels yet. Besides, at the rate things are going”—Kimberly eyed Flora and Keith grimly—“you may be our cavalry.”
“Deal,” Keith said.
Last nods all around. Then Kimberly stepped forward briskly, the sheriff already at her side.
“Stay safe,” Kimberly ordered Flora and Keith.
“Back at you.”
Kimberly and the sheriff raced into the gloom.
