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Roger Canney’s the one,” said King heatedly.
They were at police headquarters, around a long conference table. Williams and Bailey stared back at him doubtfully. Michelle doodled on a pad in front of her while simultaneously watching her partner closely.
“He tried to kill both of you,” pointed out Bailey.
King said, “Because we pretty much accused Canney of blackmailing Bobby Battle. The fact he tried to kill us pretty conclusively proves we were right. And if Canney did kill his wife, he’d probably be terrified we’d uncover that too. He goes on the run, we think. But he’s really still in the area and tries to kill us. That doesn’t mean he committed all those other murders.”
Bailey shook his head. “He’d have to know or at least believe you’d shared your suspicions with us. And his method of trying to kill you was pretty stupid. Someone could have driven by and seen it all. And he used his own vehicle to try and kill you.”
“I didn’t say he was a smart criminal. Frankly, I think he became unhinged. He’d been living on easy street for years thinking he’s safe. And then his son’s murdered and we stumble upon the blackmail. Maybe he just snapped. And if you do paternity testing on both the Canneys and Bobby, I’ll think you’ll find out who Steve Canney’s real father was,” added King.
“Okay, then, maybe Canney killed his son and his girlfriend and Bobby Battle, and then killed the prostitute and Diane Hinson to muddy the waters.”
“And Junior Deaver?” pointed out King. “How does he fit into it?”
“Canney could have hired him to burglarize the Battles’ house,” said Bailey.
“For what reason?” shot back King.
“Well, if Battle and Mrs. Canney were having an affair, maybe Battle had something belonging to his lover that Roger Canney wanted back. Or Canney was afraid Battle had something incriminating on him. But then Junior also steals items from Remmy too, and Canney’s ticked about that or is afraid Junior will give him away. So he kills him. By going after you two he showed he didn’t mind murdering someone who got in his way.”
“And Sally’s death?” asked Michelle. “How does that figure in?”
“From what you’ve told us she was—and not to speak ill of the dead—a gal who’d jump into bed with anything wearing pants. Maybe Junior told her about Canney, and Canney found out and had to kill her too,” said Bailey, who smiled broadly, obviously pleased with himself.
King sat back, shaking his head.
“It does sort of make sense, Sean,” conceded Williams.
“It’s wrong, Todd,” said King very firmly. “All wrong.”
“So give me an alternative theory that fits the facts,” challenged Bailey.
“Right now I can’t, but I’m telling you that if you stop looking for the real killer—or more likely, killers—other people could die.”
“We’re not going to stop, Sean,” said Williams, “but if no more people are killed, it’s pretty good evidence Canney is the one.”
“You don’t believe that, Todd, no matter how much you want to.” King rose. “Come on, Michelle, I need some air.”
Outside the police station, King leaned against Michelle’s truck, shoved his hands in his pockets and scattered a bunch of gravel with an angry thrust of his foot.
“You know, either Chip Bailey is the biggest idiot I’ve ever met or…”
“Or maybe he’s right, and you can’t bring yourself to admit it,” finished Michelle.
“Oh, you think so? Damn, my own partner conspiring against me,” he said with a resigned grin. “Maybe I am wrong.”
Michelle shrugged. “I think pinning the whole thing on Canney is way too much of a stretch, but like Bailey said, we don’t have much of an alternative theory.”
“There are things we know, things that are dangling right in front of our faces that we’re not even seeing. If I could just grab them and hang on, I know it would lead us where we need to go. But it’s driving me crazy that I can’t see them.”
“I think I know a remedy.”
He looked at her dubiously. “I’m not running in a marathon or going bungee jumping in order to get my brain firing better.”
“What I’m thinking requires no physical exertion at all.”
“An absolutely stunning concept, coming from you.”
