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“I’ve got something new.”
Suddenly Simon didn’t look nearly as irritated.
“Don’t mind him, he hasn’t had his fourth cup of coffee today.” The man seated across from Simon stood up. “I’m Roan Thatcher. I work with this grumpy old man. It’s nice to meet you, Kai. What branch of the service did you work in?”
“Army.”
Roan didn’t say anything. He crossed his arms and waited.
“Delta,” I finally muttered.
“Was that really so hard?” Roan asked.
“Since we’re in the share circle, what units did you work in?”
“I was a Navy SEAL Commander,” Simon admitted.
“Marine Raider,” Roan said proudly.
I filed that little nugget away. It would be interesting to know if he and my brother ever served together.
“So what do you have for us?” Simon asked. He was not a patient man.
I threw the letter on his desk. “That.”
Simon took the letter out of the envelope and quickly scanned it, then passed it over to Roan who did the same thing. Simon was now looking at the envelope. He looked up at me.
“What have you found out so far?”
“According to Nash, it’s legit. He said it’s been processed through the Sevier County courthouse. His contact is a clerk by the name of Lacy. He’s had two guys out with the flu for three days and he doesn’t have the manpower to check this out. Marlowe and I have gotten only so far. I want to hire you.”
“You’ve found out more than that, haven’t you?” Simon wanted to know.
“I found out the attorney on the return address has a website, but only has that PO box. He doesn’t have a phone number, only a chatbox on his site.”
“The court has to have a way to get ahold of him,” Roan pointed out.
I held back a sarcastic response. “Agreed.”
Simon tapped the envelope. “We’ll take it from here.”
“I haven’t gotten to the good part yet.”
Simon raised his eyebrows.
“According to the county clerk, a guy by the name of Arthur Beaumont said that he has the deed to the house, and he hasn’t authorized anybody to be living at his residence. That’s the reason he filed for an Unconditional Quit Notice.”
“Fuck. Is that who I think it is?” Roan asked.
“Yep, that would be my dad. Or my dad’s original name, Arthur Beaumont. I don’t know how he has the deed to the house, but he just up and left my mother and Grady almost twenty years ago. He hasn’t paid a dime on that house. How in the hell he figures he owns that house, is beyond me. Not only do I want that attorney found, I want my fucking father found. And when you know where he is, I want in on the takedown. Are we clear?”
By that time I was looking straight at Simon.
“Crystal clear. I don’t blame you one damn bit. I’m sure we’ll find your dad through the attorney. Give us a day.”
I nodded and got up from my seat. “This is still second priority. First priority is Marlowe’s welfare. Let me know if you find out anything about who is behind running her off the road.”
“We need to talk to her about the state senator,” Roan said.
