Deadly Revenge (Pearl River #3)

Chapter 8

8

A few minutes later they gathered in Alex’s office. Jenna sat by the window, as far as she could get from him. This wasn’t going quite how he’d envisioned.

“Okay,” Alex said. “Why don’t you tell me about Paul Nelson? He’s on my list of people to contact about Joe Slater.”

“I don’t know much more than I said in the meeting. It seems there are several men who drink coffee at Pete’s every morning, and Derrick Holliday said Paul didn’t show up, and he thought it was strange, particularly after Joe Slater was killed. I thought you ought to know.”

“I appreciate it.” She turned to Jenna. “I want to apologize for springing it on you that you’re the lead investigator in the Slater case, but I didn’t get a chance to tell you before the meeting.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m just happy you think I’m qualified.”

“I figure you’re more than qualified,” Alex said dryly.

Jenna pulled two evidence bags from her pocket. “You want me to give these to Dylan? He can examine them and see if there are any wrench marks on the castle nut.”

Alex shook her head. “We better use a lab.”

“Why don’t you let me take them to our lab in Nashville?” Max offered.

Jenna crossed her arms. “I heard they were way behind.”

“They are, but I know someone who’ll put the castle nut under the microscope ASAP and tell you if it was tampered with.”

“Think we’ll know something by tomorrow?” Alex asked.

“No later than Wednesday.”

The chief deputy nodded to Jenna. “Give him the evidence.” She stood and shifted her attention to Max. “Nathan and I are going to drive out to Nelson’s place and talk to him ... would you like to ride along?”

“Normally I would, but I think I’ll stay here and write up my report and make copies of the maps. I’ll write up a request for the lab on the castle nut while I’m at it.”

“You can use my office if you’d like.” She turned to Jenna. “Max needs to give you background information on Harrison Carter. This is a good time to do that.”

Even though Jenna didn’t make a sound, Max could imagine the groan she suppressed. Instead she nodded.

When Alex walked out the door, dead silence followed.

Jenna spoke first. She placed the evidence from the scene on the desk. “I suppose you need these.”

She was using her calm-under-fire voice. He stood and walked across the room and placed the bags in his briefcase.

“The forensic tech I’m taking these to should be able to tell if there are any scratches on it. I don’t think she can do anything with the cotter pin, though.”

“Thank you for doing this.” At least her voice was a tiny bit warmer.

“It’s not a problem. Oh, and we need to exchange phone numbers—in case one of us has a need.” He rattled his number off. Seconds later his phone rang.

“Now you have mine,” Jenna said.

Silence fell between them again, but it wasn’t as cold. This was his one shot to apologize—after today, it would be even more awkward to bring the problem up. If only he could get the words out of his mouth ... it felt like someone had stuffed it with cotton. “Any bottles of water around here?”

“In the break room.” Her mouth twitched. “I’ll get you one.”

Way to go , Anderson. He’d just given her an opportunity to walk out of the room and keep walking. But she returned and handed him a bottle. He uncapped it and tipped it to his lips. Just do it.

“You’re looking good,” he said. “Being a Russell County deputy must agree with you.”

A blush rose in her cheeks. “I guess.”

“So, how do you like it?”

“Fine.”

She wasn’t giving him anything to build a conversation on. “Look, I need to clear the air. I never should have kissed you ... and ... and I’m sorry I didn’t call. I’m not going to offer any excuses, but I’d like a chance to make amends.”

She stared at him like he was a bug under a microscope, then she nodded. “Apology accepted. Now can we discuss Harrison Carter?”

She’d accepted his apology? He frowned. So why didn’t it feel like she had? He looked up to see her staring expectantly at him.

“Yeah. Carter.” Max had made a total mess out of it—he should’ve asked her out to a nice restaurant to apologize. Things like that went better with food. No, that would have made it worse. Like she’d even go on a date with him.

“Does the TBI check out every political rally when a candidate gets threats?” she asked. “Isn’t that pretty common now?”

“Common enough, but someone tried to run Carter off the road a week ago.”

“My dad mentioned that when he delivered the Slaters’ mail.”

Max frowned. “That hasn’t been released to the public. How did he hear about it?”

“You’ll have to ask him—he didn’t say.”

He nodded. “Carter passed it off as an impatient driver until he received a threatening letter. Let me get my tablet.”

He opened it to his notes and focused on bringing her up to speed on Carter’s case.

When he finished, she said, “You’re cutting it awfully close. The political rally is Saturday.”

“Tell me about it, but we didn’t know we needed extra security measures until yesterday when they advised us about the letter.”

Jenna wrote something on her tablet. “What did the letter say?”

He took out his phone. “I photographed it.”

Max held out his phone with the picture. Instead of typed words, someone had cut letters from newspapers and magazines to write the message. You’ve lined your last pocket.

“Okay. Definitely a threat,” she said.

“Coupled with the near accident that other agents are investigating, we’re not taking any chances.”

She looked over her notes. “What time is he arriving in Pearl Springs Saturday?”

“According to his campaign manager, around four that afternoon. He’ll make his speech around six then mingle with the crowd before the fireworks begin at dark.”

“That means he’ll be here at least six hours,” Jenna said. “If someone really is threatening him, the time around the fireworks display will be a perfect opportunity to take him out. Any chance of getting him to leave right after his speech?”

Max shook his head. “Already asked. He has family here—he sees it as a photo op.”

“It won’t be if someone carries through on their threat,” she said dryly. “Since you seem to be in the know, have Nathan and Alex said how many officers are available?”

At least Jenna was warming up to the idea of them working together. “Ten total. The city is providing one for the platform— the others will be busy with traffic control. Russell County is providing the rest.”

“And from TBI?”

He shrugged. “You’re looking at him ... unless the threat level goes up. Right now, it’s a four on a scale of one to ten.”

Jenna’s eyes widened. “But there’ll be at least three thousand people at the picnic! Ninety-nine percent of those will stay for the fireworks.”

“Everyone is short-staffed,” Max said. “Carter’s campaign is providing four bodyguards for him.”

“I guess that’s better than nothing. We’ll have to work with what we have.” She tapped her pen on the tablet. “How long will you be in town?”

“Until after Saturday.”

She nodded and checked her watch, then slid her tablet in a backpack and stood.

“I have to leave. Thanks for filling me in. If I learn anything I think will help you with your case, I’ll pass it along.”

“I’d appreciate it,” he said. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

Okay, it was now or never. “Jenna,” he said when she reached the door.

She stopped and looked back at him.

“Be okay if I call you later tonight? That is, if I hear anything from my logistics team?”

For the first time she gave him a familiar smile.

“Sorry. I’m going coon hunting with my dad.”