Kate slid her meatloaf into the oven along with seven foil-wrapped potatoes. She glanced at the clock. It was almost five. The phone rang and she grabbed it.
“Elliot, please tell me you’re on your way home,” she said. “Kevin Mann sent some officers out here to get the clothes Hawk was wearing the day of the drone attack, but they wouldn’t tell me anything. I hate feeling like an outsider.”
“I’m sorry, honey. But we’re not on our way home. When I talked to you before, Virgil’s assistant had just told me that Hawk finished his interview with Virgil and Kevin Mann and had finished working with the sketch artist. I just assumed Hawk was done. But now I’ve been told that the deputies who interviewed Dennis wanted to question Hawk. And Virgil and Kevin wanted to question Dennis. There’s no telling how much longer we’re going to be.”
“Oh well,” Kate said. “I just put a meatloaf in the oven, but dinner can wait.”
“I’d rather you didn’t make the kids wait. Hawk and I can eat in town. It’ll give him time to unwind before he gets home.”
“Did Virgil’s assistant give you any idea if it’s going well?” Kate said.
“Not really. She was just letting me know before she left for the day.”
Kate sighed. “Poor Hawk. I’ll bet he’s wiped out. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine. I did a little work on my laptop, but I’ve been praying a lot too. I imagine it’s been grueling for Hawk. Not only did he have to revisit in detail everything he knows or thinks he knows related to this whole mess, but I don’t imagine it was easy for him to look Virgil in the eye and admit the nature of his relationship with Kennedy Taylor.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t,” Kate said. “Hawk wouldn’t want to disappoint Virgil.”
“That’s all part of stepping up and owning his role in what happened, but I hurt for him.”
Kate wiped her hands and sat at the table. “I’m glad you convinced me to let you go with Hawk to the courthouse. He really doesn’t need his mother trying to make it all better. He relates to you man to man. I can’t give him that.”
“But you’re his mother, Kate. He loves you more than anyone on earth. He just needs something different from each of us, that’s all. So how long before dinner’s ready?”
“If you don’t want me to hold it, it should be on the table around six fifteen.”
“I really hate to miss your meatloaf … Do you think there’ll there be enough left over for sandwiches?”
“Are you kidding?” she said. “I’m way ahead of you on that one. I even bought an extra loaf of rye.”
Elliot chuckled. “Oh me of little faith.”
The long stretch of silence that followed changed the mood back to serious.
“Elliot, promise me you’ll be careful coming home. I know Hawk did the right thing reporting everything that happened. But now it’s on record. Someone’s bound to leak it to the press. For all we know, whoever ran Brody off the road is still here.”
“Honey, would you be more comfortable if we just came home when we’re done and skipped eating out?”
“Truthfully, I would. Abby talked Jay into bringing Wolf back tonight and staying over. I think the kids are scared. I’m trying not to be. They’re taking their cues from us.”
“All right, Kate. Don’t worry. As soon as Hawk is finished here, we’ll come straight home.”
Virgil sat in his office, his hands folded on his desk, mulling over his and Kevin’s interview with Hawk Cummings and their subsequent interview with Dennis Armison. He couldn’t believe the trouble that had found these two young men. He hoped it wasn’t organized crime. Or a drug cartel. Those situations could get so ugly—and dangerous. He really dreaded the idea of Kate’s family being pulled into another violent ordeal.
He was encouraged that Hawk thought the composite sketch looked remarkably like the woman he knew as Kennedy Taylor. Virgil was able to put that composite sketch and all pertinent information on the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS). That was quickest way to find out if she was on anyone else’s radar.
A knock on the door broke his concentration, and he looked up at Kevin Mann standing in the doorway.
“You ready for us?” Kevin said.
“Yes, come in and have a seat. Make yourself a cup of coffee, if you like.”
Kevin came in followed by Deputy Jason Hobbs. Deputy Billy Gene Duncan went to the back of the room and made a cup of coffee on the Keurig, then took his seat with the others at the conference table.
“Okay,” Virgil said. “We’ve each had a chance to interview both Hawk Cummings and Dennis Armison. Did everybody think their stories were consistent?”
“I did,” Kevin said.
Duncan and Hobbs nodded.
“Anything stand out?” Virgil said.
“Armison was shakin’ half the time,” Billy Gene said. “I figured it was because of dealing with his cousin’s death and him havin’ to tell his aunt and uncle that he believed his cousin Brody was run off the road. I didn’t see none of that with Cummings.”
“All that stood out to me with Cummings,” Jason said, “was that he seemed embarrassed about his affair with Kennedy Taylor and blushed several times. I’ll bet he wishes he’d turned and run from the woman when he had the chance.”
“Both young men were obviously nervous,” Virgil said, “but we’re in agreement that their stories were consistent. Did you find their stories believable?”
“Shoot,” Billy Gene said, “they were so far out there, I don’t think they could’ve made it up.”
“I was impressed by the way their two stories connected,” Jason said. “How neither of them knew what was going on until they heard the other half of it. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I found it believable.”
“Did anybody else pick up strange vibes from Cummings,” Kevin said, “that maybe he was more taken with the woman than he was letting on?”
“Did you?” Virgil folded his arms.
“A couple of times I thought I did,” Kevin said. “I mean, I get that he was embarrassed to tell us about the affair. We’ve known his family a long time, and this was really personal. But to me, it was almost as though he didn’t want us to think badly of the woman.”
“I got the impression she was more to him than just a good time,” Jason said. “But he told us the same things he told you about her. I believe they met by chance. I believe he doesn’t know more than he’s telling us.”
“Which is all that really matters,” Virgil said. “So let’s assume Hawk got involved with this woman by chance. Whoever kidnapped her could have made sure he was dead at the scene, and didn’t. And yet it appears they may have taken out the one eyewitness, Brody Armison. Should we assume they got what they came for, and the threat to Hawk is over?”
“Hawk wasn’t an eyewitness to the drone attack or the kidnapping,” Jason said. “He really doesn’t pose a threat to them.”
Billy Gene took a sip of coffee. “Unless they picked up somethin’ on the phone tap that led them to believe he was. Then again, they probably didn’t because they let him live when they took the woman.”
“About all he could do that could pose a threat is identify the woman,” Kevin said, “though that would be a moot point if her composite sketch comes back with her ID.”
“I’m fairly confident there’s no threat to Dennis,” Virgil said, “now that Brody is out of the picture. I know I tend to be overprotective of Kate and her family, so I’m asking for your objective input. How good do you feel about sending Hawk home and proceeding with the investigation of Kennedy’s disappearance and Brody’s accident as if the threat to Hawk is over?”
“I don’t see how we can do anything else,” Kevin said. “I’d like to see Hawk keep a low profile, but I think it’s safe to assume the threat is over.”
“I agree,” Jason said.
Billy Gene nodded. “Whatever this was about seemed centered around the woman. With her gone and Brody dead, I think the threat to Hawk is over.”
“Okay, I’ll send Hawk home,” Virgil said. “But that’s not to say we haven’t got a big job on our hands. We need to investigate the disappearance of the woman known as Kennedy Taylor, and investigate the alleged murder of Brody Armison. I’ve already posted the composite sketch of Kennedy Taylor and supporting information on NLETS. Maybe we’ll get a break. We’ll get on this first thing in the morning. Thanks for putting in a long day. Go home and enjoy some time with your families.” Virgil smiled. “Jill Beth’s got curry chicken in the oven, and I can almost smell it now.”
Hawk came out the wood-and-glass door of the sheriff’s department and saw Elliot sitting in the lobby, reading a newspaper.
Elliot rose to his feet, met him halfway, and a second later, they were locked in an embrace.
“You okay?” Elliot said.
Hawk nodded. “It’s been crazy.”
Elliot let go of Hawk and pointed to the bench. “Why don’t we sit for a minute? You can give me details on the way home, but tell me what the sheriff said. I assume you’re free to go?”
“Yes, Dennis already left. The sheriff thinks the threat to me—and Dennis—is over since Brody’s dead. There are no eyewitnesses to what happened.”
“So he believes you?”
“Sure looks like it. They plan to start investigating Kennedy’s disappearance and Brody’s accident and alleged murder right away. Since it’s on record, it’ll make the news, but mostly because of the investigation into Brody’s accident. Of course, we can’t talk about this to anyone.”
Elliot patted Hawk’s knee. “I’m proud of you. It took courage to do what you did. You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Come on. Your mom made me promise to bring you straight home, but she’s got leftover meatloaf and a loaf of rye bread with our name on it.”
Elliot and Hawk went out the door, past the white columns, and down the courthouse steps. They walked over to the visitor parking lot, and stopped for a moment to remember where Elliot had parked his car.
A man in a dark suit, accompanied by two armed men, crossed the street and walked briskly toward the courthouse.
“I wonder who they are?” Hawk said.
“My best guess is the feds.”
“What would the feds be doing at a county courthouse?” Hawk turned and watched as they neared the courthouse steps. “Look, the sheriff’s standing in the doorway.”
Sheriff Granger came outside, then walked down the courthouse steps. He stood, his face expressionless, as the three men walked up to him. The man in the dark suit started talking.
“The sheriff does not look happy,” Hawk said.
“He certainly doesn’t.”
Sheriff Granger exchanged words with the man in the suit, then turned, his eyes shaded with his hand, and seemed to be searching for something. Finally, he motioned with his hand for someone to come.
Elliot glanced over his shoulder. “Hawk, I think he’s motioning to us.”
“Oh no.” Hawk felt sick to his stomach. “What if the feds want to take over the case? If that happens, they won’t tell us anything, just like they didn’t tell us anything when my dad and Riley were missing. I’ll never find out what happened to Kennedy.”
“Hawk, it’s possible you’re better off not knowing,” Elliot said.
“I don’t see how. It’ll haunt me the rest of my life. I know you and Mama think Kennedy was cheap, and you’re glad she’s gone. But you didn’t know her. She wasn’t like that. Something about her just drew me in, even before it turned sexual.”
“Did you love her?” Elliot said.
“I don’t know. I felt something. But it was different than what I felt for Laura Lynn.”
Sheriff Granger whistled and called Hawk’s name, motioning with his hand for Hawk to come.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Hawk said.
Elliot put his hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “Let’s go see what this is about.”
As they began walking toward the sheriff, the man in the dark suit stepped forward. He looked to be around forty. Nice looking, dark hair, and graying sideburns. Smug.
“I’m Special Agent Christopher Romo of the FBI. I’m in charge of this case now. My people will be working closely with the sheriff, but I’m the go-to guy from this point on. Any questions?”
“Yes, about a hundred,” Hawk said. “Do you know what happened to Kennedy Taylor?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out,” Romo said.
“But where did you come from?” Hawk said. “I didn’t report this to the sheriff until a few hours ago.”
“Hawk, we have some things we need to talk about,” Romo said. “We’re setting up an FBI office in the sheriff’s department right now.” He turned to Elliot. “Mr. Stafford, I presume?”
Elliot shook his hand. “How do you know our names?”
“I make it a point to learn the names of all persons of interest,” Romo said, “and their family members.”
“So am I person of interest?” Hawk said.
Romo nodded. “Yes, you are. And we need to find out what you know.”
Hawk glanced over at Virgil. “But I already told Sheriff Granger everything I know when I gave my statement. I’ve been answering questions all day.”
“Then you won’t have any problem telling us,” Romo said.
Hawk sighed. “I’m starved. I’m exhausted. Do we have to do this now?”
“We’ll make sure you have dinner. And you can rest, if you want. But we’d like you to stay here until we’re done.”
“How long do you anticipate that will be?” Elliot said. “I’m his ride.”
“Mr. Stafford, I suggest you go home and wait for a call from us.”
“Is Hawk in trouble?”
Romo held up his hand. “No one is saying that. But he will need to tell us what he knows, for however long that takes.”
Elliot’s eyebrows came together. “If he’s not in trouble, why isn’t he free to leave?”
“Hawk can do whatever he wants,” Romo said. “But let me assure you, it’s in his best interest to cooperate. This is a federal investigation and he’s at the center of it. For his safety, and to avoid coming under suspicion, it’s in his best interest to cooperate.”
Hawk turned to Elliot. “It’s okay. I don’t have anything to hide.”
Elliot looked over at Virgil. “Should I get him a lawyer?”
“Not at this time,” Virgil said. “It would be good if Hawk would just answer their questions.”
Elliot turned to Hawk and put his hands on his shoulders. “Tell the truth. Trust God to do the rest.”
Hawk nodded. “I will.”