“You’re not wasting any time with the wedding plans.”
“August will be here before we know it.”
True enough. His phone dinged with a message, and he glanced at it. “Warren lives in Foley, on the same street as the library.” He spotted Drew and motioned for him to hurry up. “Here comes your brother. Let’s get going. Maybe we can intercept Warren.”
They got in the truck. “Anyone want to put odds on whether Warren headed out of town without getting his belongings from his apartment?” Blake asked.
“I think he’s still there,” Paradise said.
“He’s gone,” Drew said. “His reaction was a dead giveaway that he’s involved.”
Blake started the truck and pulled out of the lot. “What if Sheriff Davis is behind the cover-up?”
“I’d sure like to see all the files on Ben’s murder and his wife’s death and how they might be connected to the Alden murders, but Pascagoula PD is dragging their feet on it,” Drew said. “Police departments are often loath to share information.”
“Speaking of the sheriff, we should ask about Bea once we see if Warren is around,” Paradise said.
“I have an idea,” Blake said. “The library director probably wouldn’t mind checking to see if his car is parked there.” He handed his phone to Paradise. “Text her and ask.”
“I’m on it.” She tapped out a message and sent it off. An answer came back immediately. “She’s going outside to see if his car is in the driveway.”
He increased his speed and turned right onto Route 98. He suspected Drew would win their wager, but he hoped he was wrong. His phone dinged with a message.
“His car is there!” Paradise pumped her fist. “I win!”
“As long as he doesn’t jet out before we get there,” Drew said.
The traffic wasn’t helping. There was no way to pass, and Blake was stuck behind a slow-moving cement truck. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and resisted the impulse to lay on the horn. It wasn’t the driver’s fault his vehicle lumbered along like a turtle.
He finally reached 59 and got lucky enough to catch the lightfor his left-hand turn. Route 59 this time of year was always busy. Tourists packed the roads and slowed the traffic to a crawl.
“Almost there.” Paradise gasped and pointed. “Wait, there he goes!”
Blake barely caught a glimpse of the blue Toyota Warren drove. He watched for a place to turn around. “Keep an eye on him. He’s in a blue Toyota Corolla, Drew.”
“He saw us,” Paradise said. “When he spotted us, his eyes went wide and panicked, and he sped up.”
Drew twisted in the back seat. “I don’t see the car. Did he turn off?”
If Warren had seen them, he’d probably taken steps to vanish and selected an unlikely route. Blake turned around at the next light and went back south. But Warren had slipped out of the net.
Chapter 26
The aroma of fried catfish mingled with that of baked mac and cheese. Paradise pushed away her plate. “Great meal, Jenna.”
Isaac and Levi headed for the living room to get their iPads and their kittens for their screen time. They’d cleaned their plates like everyone else at the table.
“Best catfish ever,” Drew said. “I’m going to take a look at the Alden murder files this afternoon. Since Bay Minette PD was kind enough to let me sign out the evidence kit, I want to study everything.” He rose and put his hand on Jenna’s shoulder. “Thanks for the meal and everything else you do around here.”
She patted his hand. “You’re welcome, Drew. We’re all glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad too.” He hesitated and his gaze locked with Paradise’s. “Um, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I can’t keep it quiet. I’m applying for a job here. I don’t really want to go back to Atlanta.”
A surge of joy shot through her, and she jumped to her feet. “Drew!” She leaped into his arms and squeezed him hard. Tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “I can’t believe it.”
His arms were tight around her, and he chuckled. “I have to get the job first, but I chatted with Rod while I was there, and he told me he’d walk it right through. I’ll fill out an online application tonight and send it to him. They’re short-staffed. Which is probably why they let me take the evidence. I’m sure Rod pulled some strings.”
She released him and stepped back, wiping her eyes. “I’m so happy, Drew. I can’t believe you’re going to be right here where I can see you all the time. It’s a dream come true.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’d have to work with Creed, wouldn’t you?”
