“Can’t say I have answers.”
Blake clenched his fists and wished he could smash one into the man’s insolent face. Jail hadn’t improved Adams’s attitude. Blake drew a deep breath and resolved not to let his anger control him. Drew knew how to handle men like this.
“You know Bea Davis.”
Adams snorted. “Doesn’t sound like a question. Everyone knows Bea.”
“Why were you at her house before you landed in here?”
Anger flashed in Lloyd’s face, and he let out a string of curses. “So now it’s against the law to visit an old friend? She and the sheriff were best friends with me and my wife for thirty years. I was just checking in while I was in town. And she’s always been good about helping me out on occasion.”
“We know you were trying to get information about Paradise. Was there any other reason you were at Bea’s house?”
A crafty expression lurched onto Lloyd’s face. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“No, you don’t, but I can let law enforcement know you cooperated in an ongoing investigation.” Drew stood. “But that’s fine. Go back to your cell if you don’t want to help us out.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. What’s this all about?”
“We’re investigating the deaths of Paradise’s parents,” Blake said.
“I never met them so I can’t really give you any information.”
Blake could tell this wasn’t going anywhere. Paradise was right. “Bea’s husband was the sheriff when it happened. She led us to believe he was having an affair with Paradise’s mother, Becky. It wasn’t true. If you were such good friends, maybe you know why she’d tell us that.”
Amusement crinkled Lloyd’s crow’s-feet. “You’d better look elsewhere. It’s all your fault I’m in here. Yours and hers.”
What a dud of an interview. Their time was up, and the men walked to the parking lot in silence. The fresh air cleared away the stink of the jail.
A truck rumbled by, and Wade Greene’s eyes went wide when he spotted them. He turned around at the next drive and drove in beside them. Smiling, Wade got out and walked toward Blake with his hand out. “I was on my way to the clerk’s office and couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted you. I’ve been meaning to stop over and see you, buddy. Thanks for coming to Elowen’s rescue the other day. That was a tight spot, and I couldn’t get to her.”
Blake gripped his hand, and Wade clapped him on the shoulder. Drew came around to join them, and Blake introduced him to Wade. “We were glad to be able to help. King Julien is doing well now. He’s enjoying being with other lemurs.”
Wade’s smile faded. “Creed was livid. Our relationship has been strained for a long time, but I’d guess it’s beyond repair for the moment.”
“I’m sorry. He came by demanding the lemur back, but we refused. Julien was in a bad way, and we couldn’t do it. Rod backed us up, and the state gave us custody.”
“Glad to hear it. Since we aren’t speaking, Creed hasn’t updated me on the lemur’s situation. He sure hates you guys.”
“Do you know why? We’ve never been able to figure it out. It all started when he made a pass at Paradise and she turned him down. When that activist Danielle Mason was found murdered on our property, he was determined to find me guilty.”
Wade shook his head. “We had different fathers, and his was awful. Creed showed up after visits with bruises and injuries, but Mom was never able to get those visits stopped. He has always taken his unhappiness out on other people. Any slight has to be punished forever. If Paradise rejected him, he’ll never forget it. You’re likely collateral damage and lumped in with her. Try not to take it personally. Just stay out of his way and hope he moves on to another victim.”
“Kind of hard to do when he keeps showing up to investigate.”
Wade’s gaze swung to Drew. “You have to be related to Paradise.”
“I’m her brother. I’m in town helping her try to find out who killed our parents, and someone seems determined to drive us away,” Drew said. “Maybe once we get to the bottom of the murders, there won’t be any incidents Creed has to check out. If he comes to the park again, I’ll handle him.”
But Drew had no authority in Alabama, and Blake couldn’t see Creed backing down. They’d have to deal with him until this was over.
Chapter 15
Donald Phillips lived along a quiet street in Magnolia Springs. On the way to his house, they passed people mowing and trimming shrubs on this beautiful Saturday morning. The Creole-style home was set back off the street toward the back of an acre lot with moss dangling from the live oak trees lining the driveway. Rhododendrons and azaleas threw out an extravagance of color under the trees along the west side of the house.
Drew had checked records on the man. Donald’s wife had died two years ago, and he was nearly eighty. Paradise’s call asking to talk to him had probably been a bright spot in his week.
Blake parked in front of the garage door. “Looks like he’s waiting for us.”
