AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I almost snorted out a laugh. I’d never heard a quite so elegant turn of phrase for the corruption of federal law enforcement. There were plenty of good agents like Carver who were doing their best to protect and serve every day. Unfortunately, oil rises to the top.
“Did David Sowers ever need bodyguards on his trips overseas?” Jack asked.
“I’ve never been privy to David’s business life,” Kirby said apologetically. “Attorney client privilege. I’ve heard he was involved in some terrible things. It just goes to show how difficult it is to really know someone well.”
“Did you ever use bodyguards or security when you travelled together?” Jack asked.
“I don’t recall ever travelling with David,” Kirby said. “I’m provided private transportation by the state department. I have military security once I land and then again at every US Embassy. And sometimes the embassy uses private contractors that have government contracts. I’m sorry I’m going to have to let you go. My wife just decided to make an appearance. We’ll only be twenty minutes late.”
“Would you mind meeting with me in the morning?” Jack asked. “My understanding is that you met regularly with Sowers and some of his employees. We have reason to believe someone close to him in that capacity might be involved.”
“Of course,” Kirby said agreeably. “Anything I can do for local law enforcement. It doesn’t surprise me one bit. David’s work environment was rather contentious. Especially with Jasmine Taylor. You should check her passport logs. I know for certain she’s travelled with David before. I always suspected there was more to their relationship that met the eye.”
“I’ll look into it, sir,” Jack said.
“I’ll meet you in the morning,” Kirby said. “There’s a new breakfast place close to David’s office I like. It looks like one of those outdoorsman stores.”
“I know the one you’re talking about,” Jack said.
“Good. Ten o’clock. It’ll give me a chance to make early mass.” Kirby disconnected.
“Such an upstanding citizen,” Jack said.
“What are you up to?” I asked.
“He’s all ego,” Jack said. “Kirby knows he can’t be touched, so I figured he’d want to flaunt it as much as possible. I thought I’d dangle the carrot in front of him by suggesting his tablemates might have something to do with Sowers’ murder, and he took the bite. He doesn’t care that he’s rolling on people he knew well enough to eat the occasional meal with. And now he feels like he’s in control by setting up the time for the meeting and throwing me a bone by making it in my county. And what he’s doing isexactlywhat I want him to do.”
“That psychology is so sexy,” I said.
“Obviously, that’s why I got it,” he said. “It serves no other purpose otherwise.”
I grinned and tapped my fingers on the middle console.
“Where are we going?” I asked after we missed the turn to take us back toward home.
“I thought we’d give Darnell Watkins a chance to talk without his attorney.”
“You realize we literally have nothing,” I said. “No leads. Our main suspect is dead. And no ties between our victims. All we have is a killer who has some connection to them both and hasn’t bothered to let us know what it is.”
“Yeah,” Jack said, his jaw clenching. “I know.”
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Returningto the scene of the crime was always a little surreal.
The glass had been swept away from the sidewalk and the windows were all boarded up. Even the neon purple sign had gone dark in solidarity. One of the streetlights flickered on the opposite side of the street and I could see the extra guards posted at the courthouse.
“Creepy,” I said.
“Yeah,” Jack said, pulling into his spot in front of the sheriff’s office. “Definitely creepy. And bad for business.”
Jack’s phone rang just as he put the Tahoe in park, and an unknown number showed on the display screen.
“It’s local,” I said.
Jack sighed, internally debating whether or not to answer. Phone calls were rarely good news.
“Sheriff Lawson,” Jack said.
