Page 44 of Diamonds in the Mud

“Is there anyone who can corroborate you being home? Alone?” I asked dryly.

“No, detective. No missus. No prospects. I’m married to my work,” he said with a slight sigh. “Now, if you don’t mind…” He started to get up.

“Did you know that Sharon Taylor was being investigated by the state attorney’s office for corruption and embezzling?” I threw at him and watched anger and fake surprise cross his eyes.

“No,” he said slowly as he sat back down. “Is it true?”

Instead of answering, I added, “Did you know that Sharon was having multiple affairs?”

This time the surprised look was so obviously fake I almost laughed. “I suppose that makes sense. Rumors are that Henry has a few… friends on the side.”

I nodded and watched the man closely while I asked my next question. “You own both the Red River Iron Gym and the Bayou Brews and Blues.”

Again, the irritation was in his demeanor and tone. “I own a lot of buildings, a lot of businesses in this town.”

“And you’re about the only business owner who singlehandedly employs more than a dozen members of the Swamp Reapers Motorcycle Club.” I smiled when his eyes narrowed at me.

“I personally am not involved with the running of any of my buildings or businesses. I keep at arm’s length from all of them. It’s better this way. In other words, I am not responsible for hiring any employees other than Emma, out front.” His smile was strained.

I shifted forward, laying my elbows on my knees. “Let’s make this official, shall we?”

“Sure.” He threw up his hands in frustration.

“Mr. Jackson Pennington, do you possess any information pertinent to the investigation into the homicide of Mayor Sharon Taylor, or are you refraining from disclosing any relevant details that could aid in the apprehension of any individuals implicated in Mayor Sharon Taylor’s murder?”

By the time I was done speaking, Jackson was standing up.

“No, now please leave my office.” He motioned towards the doors.

“Thank you for your cooperation,” I said as I slowly stood up to leave. But then I spotted a small silver picture frame sitting on a side table that held a coffee pot, a plant, and a printer.

I walked over to it and smiled down at a picture of Jackson Pennington, Faye Baker, and Kenya Jackson on a boat somewhere. The trio looked very comfortable together, with Jackson in the middle of the group. The two ladies were wearing very skimpy bikinis, and Jackson’s chest was bare.

There was another picture of Jackson and Quincy Ingram on the same boat. Obviously, the men were on a fishing trip.

There were other pictures in similar frames—some of a large boat on the river, others of him, and a few of him with some of the other townspeople, including one of him and the mayor at the opening of one of his businesses—but this one for some reason stood out to me.

“Nice picture,” I said, tapping the frame before walking out of the office.

Chapter Eleven

“Diamonds dancing on the water in the moonlight, and my mind’s eye sees the night before.”

–Unknown

Jameson

Trying to keep my mind busy until Rayne showed up wasn’t hard. Everything I did was scrutinized by one or two members of the gang. It was as if they were blatantly watching over me.

“What’s up?” I asked Felix. He had joined me at the gym almost an hour before Rayne was scheduled to be here.

“Just watching out for our investment.” Felix had slapped me on the back.

“Investment?” I chuckled. “Dude, I’m getting laid.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

“Yeah.” Felix laughed, then lowered his voice. “She’s currently visiting the city building. We need to know why.”

“I’m sure she’s…” I was going to say, working the case, but was afraid it would sound too cop-like. “She’s doing her job,” I finished with a shrug. “Don’t the police work at the city building sometimes? You know, to go to hearings and shit?”