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“Possibly.” Or he was tailing you. “There’s a lot of ways this can all shake out.”
He nodded and looked out the window. Thoughts visibly pinballing behind his worried gazed.
“We were able to find some security footage, too.” I decided against showing Evan the footage, describing some of it instead. “The main takeaway is that whoever injected Hank with the heroin had a key to his house. Do you know if Hank was pretty liberal about giving his key out?”
“Hank was a trusting guy. And in a town like ours, it’s easy for that trust to spread.”
I pulled on the thread a little harder. “Any names? Did he give the key to anyone in the club?”
I already knew the answer to that, but sometimes I found asking questions with predetermined answers led to even more of them.
Evan thought on it a bit before nodding. “Yeah, he did…” I could tell he was considering how much to tell me. Not sure why he wanted to hide any information if it meant finding his friend’s killer.
“Who?” I pulled the thread harder and—
“Domino.” There it was, the answer I had been expecting. “They had a thing together. They were good together, too.”
“But they kept things a secret—do you know why? Was it because Domino is a man?”
Evan shrugged. “Everyone knew Hank was pansexual, so I don’t see sexuality being why he wanted it quiet. I think Hank’s just a private person. He didn’t want to be seen fucking his dancers.”
That tracked with Domino’s explanation.
“Hank also dated Cary for a while. Cary Pope. I remember him making a key for her, too.”
Interesting. I hadn’t looked as hard into Cary since their relationship ended years ago on a seemingly amicable note, but maybe it was time I turned the magnifying glass in her direction.
But, before I did that, I had a few more questions to ask Evan. Unfortunately, it was my next question that would be my last.
“Did you have a key to Hank’s house?”
Evan’s head snapped up. His eyes narrowed, and I could sense a shift in the air. “I did. He gave it to me so that when he’s out of town, I can swing by and check on shit.”
Fuck, he’s getting pissed.
I had to tread lightly. I could almost hear the eggshells underneath my feet. “Did you ever lend that key to anyone? Or did you ever lose it?”
Evan considered my questions for a long moment. “No. I haven’t done either of those things.” His head slowly angled forward, eyes searching mine. I recognized the embers of anger I had accidentally kicked alive during our last meeting. “Why are you asking?”
“It’s my job to ask questions, Evan. That’s all.”
“Is it your job to insinuate shit?”
“That’s not what I’m doing here.”
Evan puffed his chest out. “You know, now that I think about it, all this shit got worse when you showed up. Blue Creek was calm and quiet before you set up this office.” He motioned around my still-unpacked office, eyes staying on mine. “Maybe you’re the one causing all the problems here. Maybe it’s time for you to leave Blue Creek. You’re not welcome here, never will be.”
Aside from that being extremely close to the bloody threat left on my wall, I was shocked at how angry Evan became. As simple as flipping a switch. His face grew beet red, and his knuckles were pale with how tight his fists were. This could easily escalate out of control if I didn’t handle it correctly.
“We’re on the same page here, Evan. Just trying to help your friend. That’s all. I’m not looking to cause any problems.”
“Well, you fucking have.” His fist came slamming down on my table with a loud bang. My pen holder fell over and spilled pens all across my desk. I didn’t flinch, keeping my eyes on Evan.
This had gone past the point of no return. Diffusing this bomb would be impossible; I had to get it out of the building instead.
“You’ve been a big help, Evan. I think our interview is over.” I stood, hands on my desk, posture stiff and showing Evan that I wouldn’t back down from him. He seemed smaller to me now than in Honey and Wood for some reason, probably because he was playing in my home court.
Evan must have gotten that same feeling. He stood, pushed the chair hard against my desk, and turned to leave. With one hand on the doorknob and without turning back to me, he said, “You better find whoever did this to Hank. Or I’ll be the one you need to worry about.”
And he left, slamming the door shut. I went into the main room and made sure he didn’t bother Darien or Houston on the way out.
“Everything all right?” Darien asked, he and Houston both looking at me with heads cocked.
