“I don’t mind sleeping on the sofa.” It wasn’t the most comfortable spot, but he’d slept on the ground in Afghanistan often enough while stationed overseas. Being near enough to protect the woman he loved was worth sleeping on a wire rack. “I’d better flip the burgers.” He kissed her and stepped away when she let go of him. “Want to grab the buns? These burgers are ready to come off. The hot dogs are done too.”
She wheeled toward the door. “I’m on it.”
Drew had finished his call and strode toward Blake with hisjaw set and his eyes narrowed. He spared a glance at his sister and waited to speak until she returned with the plate of buns. “The bank doesn’t keep financial records that far back. By law they have to keep them seven years, but some hang on to them internally for longer periods. This bank kept them for ten years, but that’s still not long enough.”
“What about tax records?” Paradise asked.
Drew blew out a huff of air. “Same situation. The IRS only keeps them seven years.”
“What’s next?” Paradise asked.
“I’ll talk to Adams and see if he knows anything. And we can move on to the next item on our list.” He consulted a note on his phone. “My partner found an address for the PI, William Fletcher. Seems to still be a PI, though he’s got to be in his seventies.”
“Road trip?” she asked.
Her brother nodded. “In person would be best, and he’s in Pascagoula so that’s an hour and a half away.”
Blake put the burgers on the buns. “When do you want to go?”
“As soon as possible. Tomorrow if we can.”
Drew wasn’t letting any grass grow under his feet. Blake nodded. “I’d like to have Mason send a drone over Creed’s property and see if he’s behind the leopard scares targeting Paradise, but we wouldn’t have to be here for that.”
“Works for me,” Paradise said.
“Before we go, I’ll make sure Fletcher will be around. I have his number.” Drew held his phone to his ear and walked a few feet away.
“I haven’t been to Pascagoula in ages,” she said. “I wish there was time to enjoy the trip.”
“What would you like to do there?”
“I’d go to the lighthouse and maybe get pictures of the boys under the Gateway Oak. The town has probably changed a lot since we were in our teens. Remember when we went with your mom and you gave me that plastic ring?”
“How could I forget?” He’d thought she’d pushed it out of her memory along with so many other things. “You kissed me for the first time on the Ferris wheel.”
She poked him with her elbow. “I remember it very differently.Youkissedme, and I thought for sure it was over because I was so surprised I couldn’t figure out how to kiss you back.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you knew how just fine. I was ready for seconds but was afraid to scare you off.”
“I still had that plastic ring until my cabin caught fire five months ago.”
“Really?” A plan began to form. What if he gave her the real ring in Pascagoula? It would take some arranging to get pictures and the family involvement he knew she’d love, but it would be worth it to bring their relationship full circle.
Drew turned. “No go for tomorrow, guys. Fletcher’s in California and won’t be back until late Sunday evening. I snagged a lunch appointment on Monday though. Let’s talk to Mr. Phillips instead. And I still want to talk to Lloyd Adams.”
Which would give Blake time to make those plans.
It felt like every prisoner in the place was staring at them. While Blake tugged on his collar, Drew didn’t appear to be uncomfortable at the jail in Bay Minette. Blake assumed he was used to interviewing suspects as part of his job.
They waited on their side of the glass for Adams. It wasn’t longbefore the man came through the door with a guard. His light brown hair was stringy and greasy. He took a seat and grabbed the phone with a meaty hand. Drew reached for the one on their side.
Adams’s gaze went from Blake to Drew and puzzlement lingered in his hazel eyes. “You look like Paradise.”
Drew stared back. “I’m her brother.”
“Didn’t know she had one. Where were you when she needed a home?”
“I didn’t know about her then. I’m Detective Drew Bartley, and I have some questions for you.”
