Deadly Revenge (Pearl River #3)

Chapter 60

60

Max backed out of Darby’s drive. “He’s weakening.”

“No. He’s scared. He’s afraid he’ll be the next target, and I don’t blame him if he knows that there was something illegal about the dam project. Either Mr. Darby knows something that would identify whoever killed our three victims, or he fears the killer thinks he does.” She tapped the armrest. “If we could just get him to tell us what he knows.”

Max slammed on the brakes. “We need to talk to Darby again.”

He backed up to the gate and blew the horn. “Call and see if you can get him to come back to the gate.”

She craned her neck. “No need—I see him coming.”

“Come on.” He hopped out of the vehicle and jogged to the gate with Jenna on his heels, arriving at the gate the same time as Darby.

“What in tarnation?” the old man growled.

“We need to talk.”

“We’ve been over that. I don’t have anything to say.” Darby glared defiantly at him.

“I think you do. You overheard something when you worked at city hall that you think will get you killed. That’s why you quit and barricaded yourself on your property like a hermit.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Is it, Mr. Darby? If you know something about this case, you need to tell us. We can protect you.”

“I can take care of myself. Been doing it for twenty years.”

“Yeah, but what about Jenna’s dad? What if he was kidnapped by the same person who killed the Slaters and Nelson, and you know something that will help find him?”

The color drained from the older man’s face.

“And if the murderer goes after Harrison Carter, and you could stop it ...” Max wanted to drive home the point, then he softened his voice. “Do you really like living this way, Mr. Darby?”

Indecision warred in the old man’s face, then he lifted his chin. “I don’t have any choice. And I got things to do.”

That said, Darby turned and marched toward his house while Max wanted to beat his head against the steel gate.

“We can’t make him talk,” Jenna said. “But maybe after he has time to think about what you said, he’ll change his mind.”

“I’m beginning to think nothing can get him to talk. And if we want to get a back seat row at the funeral where we can observe everyone, we need to move it.”

Jenna checked her watch. “You’re right. The whole town will be at the funeral and that back row will fill up pretty quick.”

It wasn’t long before they pulled into the church’s parking area that was almost full. Jenna had been right. It looked as though the whole town was here.

They entered through the door facing Main Street, and Max scanned the pews for two spots at the back. There were a couple of places left. He turned to point them out to Jenna, but she was already striding toward them.

Once they were settled, he scanned the mourners, looking for anyone who looked guilty, although Max wasn’t quite sure he’d know what that looked like with this group. Statistics showed that killers liked to show up and see the handiwork of their crimes. He doubted this would be any exception.

Harrison Carter was at the front, surrounded by his security detail. “Be right back.”

When he reached the senate candidate, he was talking to Slater’s sister. Max waited until he stepped away to get Carter’s attention. When Carter saw Max, a flash of irritation crossed his face before it morphed into a fake smile.

Carter approached with his hand extended. “Agent Anderson, I had forgotten you would be here.”

“With your busy schedule, I thought that might happen and wanted to remind you that Deputy Hart and I would like a few minutes of your time after the funeral.”

“Sure thing ... perhaps the church has a room we can meet in?”

“I’ll arrange it, and we’ll meet you in the welcome center.”

Carter gave him a curt nod and took a slip of paper from his pocket. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go over my eulogy for Joe Slater.”

Before Max returned to his seat, he walked to the church office and had no problem setting up a room for their meeting. He followed the receptionist to a room with a large table.

“This is our workroom,” she said. “Will it do?”

“It’s perfect.”

Soft organ music began as Max reentered the sanctuary and walked to his seat at the back of the church, nodding at Carter. The man barely acknowledged him.

Max had the distinct impression Harrison Carter would like nothing better than to skip their meeting.