Virgil sat in his office on the first floor of the Raleigh County Courthouse, looking at the magnificent swirls of golden pink and purple that lit up the morning’s sky. He took a sip of coffee and focused his attention across the courthouse lawn. The traffic on Main Street was light at this hour. Old Melvin Mayfield sat on a wrought-iron bench, feeding the birds and one very persistent squirrel.
On the corner, Miguel Perez had set up his rolling cart, and there was already a line of people waiting to buy breakfast tacos.
A knock at the door caused Virgil to turn. “Hey, Kevin. Come on in. Thanks for coming in so early. Make yourself a cup of coffee. I’m going to move over to the conference table.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right there.” Kevin went to the back of the room where the Keurig was set up. A minute later, he carried a fresh cup of coffee, placed it on the table, and sat across from Virgil. He handed him an envelope. “The forensics report came in on the substance used in the drone attack.”
“Already?” Virgil quickly opened the envelope and read the short paragraph aloud.
Chemical analysis of sample 2094-RalCtySherDept-06012018 has shown the substance to be nonlethal and negative for long-term side effects. The name of the substance, its origin, and chemical combination have been labeled CLASSIFIED by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“I guess I should be grateful that Romo threw us another bone,” Virgil said. “At least Hawk is out of the woods. That’s one less worry.”
“No kidding,” Kevin said. “So what’d you think of Javed Saman?”
“First of all, thanks for your hard work. I really appreciate it.” Virgil took a sip of coffee. “Actually, I’d like to hear your thoughts on Saman.”
“He’s never been convicted of a crime,” Kevin said, “or even charged, as far as I could tell. He favors law enforcement and the military, even when choosing employers. I’m impressed he served in the French Foreign Legion. He hasn’t left a trail of suspicious dealings, though usually any connection with Iran is suspect in my mind. However, the guy was Iranian and his father was a professor of Persian culture. His father’s pride probably rubbed off on Saman, and he wanted to go back to his home country and discover his heritage. He lived more of his life in France, so nothing about his going back there seemed suspicious.”
“I don’t disagree with any of that.” Virgil traced the rim of his cup with his index finger.
“But …?”
Virgil smiled and lifted his gaze. “But what in the world is he doing working at a French bakery? I could understand if he was ready for a career change or a way to pay the rent while he’s looking for a job in his field. But I’m wondering how a baker gets time off for three vacation trips to the United States in twelve months. Plus, that much travel seems excessive on a baker’s salary.”
“He could have saved a lot of money from his other jobs,” Kevin said. “He didn’t have a family to raise.”
“Even if he did have the money, he’s not a bakery chef. He’s a baker. Why would the bakery be willing to let a baker take off that kind of time, especially when he just started?”
Kevin rubbed his chin. “I see your point. What are you thinking?”
“I could be all wet,” Virgil said, “but I’m thinking Javed Saman isn’t working at the bakery at all, that he’s using it to cover up what he’s really doing.”
“Which is?”
Virgil pursed his lips. “I don’t know yet. But I doubt seriously he’s been making éclairs. I want to know what he’s doing in Foggy Ridge.”
Kevin flashed a crooked smile. “Translated, that means, ‘Kevin, clear your calendar. I’ve got more work for you to do.’”
“And that kind of perception,” Virgil said, smiling wryly, “is why you’re my chief deputy.”
Virgil keyed in Kate’s cell phone number and glanced out the window. The line for Miguel Perez’s breakfast tacos was moving quickly.
“Hello, Virgil.”
“Good morning, Kate. I assume you’ve been informed that the report came back from forensics on the chemical used in the drone attack?”
“Yes, Natalie—Special Agent Sloan—just told us! We’re over-the-top excited! Virgil, what chemical was it? She didn’t have that information.”
Neither do I. “Since Romo’s in charge of the case, you’ll need to direct your questions to him. But truthfully, the only thing that matters is that Hawk is going to be fine.”
“I know. You should’ve seen his face. Such a relief.”
“How are you holding up?” Virgil said.
“Better than I should be. As long as I remember the Lord’s in control.”
“Don’t tell Romo.” Virgil chuckled.
“Did you pick up on his arrogance the other night,” Kate said, “when he assured us that it won’t be necessary to rely on God because his people are the best at what they do?”
“I heard him. I think he embarrassed himself when he said he was willing to work with God, if God was willing to work with him.”
“Elliot reminded me that as long as we know who’s protecting Hawk, it doesn’t really matter what Romo thinks. Speaking of Romo—does he feel they’re making progress?”
“Not that he’s expressed to me, but I wouldn’t expect him to speculate. If you’ll remember, Romo did say he anticipated that the bounty hunter would take a little time before he felt comfortable enough to approach Hawk. Each day, they’ve let Hawk move a few yards farther away from the FBI actors, hoping the bounty hunter will show himself. They’re watching Hawk closely.” And so are we.
“This whole thing with Hawk is dizzying.” Kate sighed. “He’s putting on a brave face, but I don’t think the reality of it has hit him yet. He’s hardly had time to breathe. And whether or not I like it, he must have some feelings for Kennedy Taylor. It was hard enough on him waking up in a stupor with her gone and the house completely cleaned out as if she’d never lived there. But then hearing Dennis retell Brody’s account of the drone attack and kidnapping was positively terrifying. Hawk needs closure. Yet I wonder if he’s ever going to know what happened to her. Or if she’s dead or alive.”
He knows. “Hawk’s strong,” Virgil said. “I have confidence in him to get on with his life after this. I’m just sorry for the way it ended.”
“Me too, but I’m glad it’s over,” Kate said. “You and I haven’t really talked about it, but you know me well enough to know that I would never approve of what Hawk was doing. But I see his pain. And as a mother, I do feel bad for him.”
“We all do. And I respect him for stepping up when he’s still in a world of hurt. He’s been a hundred percent cooperative with my department and with Romo’s people. He’s a good man, Kate.”
“That I know,” she said. “He made a mistake. But he’s not the mistake. Hopefully he’s a little wiser now.”
“I couldn’t have said it better. I guess I should get off and get over to the command center. Hang in there. This really will be over soon.”
Virgil finished telling Billy Gene everything Kevin had found on Javed Saman.
“There you have it,” Virgil said. “Any questions?”
“Just the ones you don’t have answers to,” Billy Gene said. “What brought Saman to Foggy Ridge is right up there. Shoot, we’re barely on the map.”
“Unless he chose Arkansas as his vacation spot. Foggy Ridge would be in most every northwest Arkansas vacation brochure.”
“A guy in France decides to take a third trip to the States in a year, and out of all the places he could visit, he picks Arkansas?”
“It’s possible,” Virgil said. “We are the Natural State. There’s a lot to see and do here.”
“Except Saman hasn’t left Angel View to see or do anything,” Billy Gene said.
“Good point. But what are the odds Saman’s arrival in Foggy Ridge is tied up with the bounty hunter?”
“Sheriff, I admit the odds are slim, but I saw him with my own eyes. He’s got his eye on Hawk and came awful close to movin’ in on him. Any chance there’s more than one guy after the five million?”
“Romo never alluded to it,” Virgil said. Like Romo never told me the bounty hunter was really an assassin working for the Iranian government. “He just said an exceedingly bad man was tracking down Kennedy Taylor and was on his way here to get Hawk to tell him where she is. Let me try to find out more details. Of course, I’d have to do it in such a way that Romo doesn’t get suspicious that we’re keeping an eye on Hawk ourselves.”
“Sheriff, we have to know what we’re dealin’ with,” Billy Gene said. “Especially since we’re determined to keep Hawk safe, and Romo’s determined to capture this bounty hunter unharmed. Saman could be a threat to either or both. There’s only one of me out here. I’ve got to know how Saman fits into the scenario.”
“I know,” Virgil said. “I agree with you. But if Romo gets even a hint that we might be operating outside his command, we could both be selling magazines for a living.”
“I understand the risk,” Billy Gene said. “I made my choice.”
“Okay. I’m headed over to the command center. Let me see if I can’t pull something out of Romo. I’ll get back to you. Keep your ears on and Saman in your sights.”
“Copy that.”
Virgil walked into the FBI command center and got the usual lukewarm reception. No one paid much attention to him. This was his county, and he was not going to be intimidated by the feds. He spotted Romo talking to a couple of men in FBI T-shirts.
Virgil stood looking up at the surveillance monitors. It appeared to be a typical day at Angel View. Abby was taking orders at Flutter’s. Jesse was outside in the hummingbird garden, filling the feeders. Savannah’s car was parked outside the office and the “open” light was on. The FBI actors were already positioned on the back lawn and looked believably busy. Hawk should be arriving in about four minutes.
“Hello, Sheriff.” Romo walked up to Virgil and slapped him on the back. “Ready for round three?”
“Bring it on,” Virgil said. “Chris, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. How can you be sure there’s just one bounty hunter? I mean, if this guy knows about the bounty on Nameless, wouldn’t others know too?”
Romo’s eyebrows came together. “No. Each bounty hunter is hired by the bondsman that provided bail for the fugitive. That’s the only person who can collect the bounty. You should know that.”
“I know that’s how it is in the US, but you never specified where the bounty originated,” Virgil said.
“I didn’t think I had to.”
“Okay,” Virgil said. “So Nameless is a fugitive with a five-million-dollar bounty on her head. Bounty hunters typically get ten to twenty percent of the bail money. That would mean bail was set between fifty and a hundred million dollars. That’s a whopping sum. We must be talking drug cartel. Organized crime. Something huge.”
“Nice try, Sheriff. That’s classified.” Romo shot him a condescending look. “All you need to know is there’s one bounty hunter, and we have one job: to bring him in unharmed. Why are you just now bringing this up?”
“Just the way I’m wired,” Virgil said. “When I don’t know all the facts, my mind goes into overtime. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this. Most bounty hunters in Arkansas make between fifty-eight and seventy-two thousand dollars in an entire year. This must be some bounty hunter for a bondsman to be willing to pay him more than five times what he’d normally make in a lifetime. An assassin, I could understand. But a bounty hunter? Especially one wanted by the FBI? I’m just trying to get my mind around it.” Virgil watched to see if Romo reacted.
“I’ve said all I’m going to say about this, Sheriff. It’s classified. Live with it.”
Romo walked away. He was definitely rattled.
Virgil was caught between a rock and a hard place. He couldn’t let Romo know that he knew this so-called bounty hunter was a hired assassin working for the government of Iran. But he couldn’t tell Billy Gene either. Virgil sighed. And he still didn’t know who Javed Saman was.
Virgil went outside and walked a short distance away from the mobile command center, putting it behind him. He arched his low back and stretched. “Billy Gene, did you hear that?”
“Yes, sir. I didn’t know that much about bounty hunters and what they make. But you did make me think twice about why a bondsman would be willing to pay a guy more than five times of what he’d make in a lifetime. Come to think of it, bounty hunters aren’t usually the bad dudes either. Do you think Romo could be lyin’ about who this guy is?”
Of course he’s lying. Virgil sighed. “I’m not sure of anything, Billy Gene, except that I didn’t find out any information that would tell us who Saman might be.”
“Maybe it’ll become clear,” Billy Gene said. “But until I know differently, I guess I’ll have to consider Saman an enemy.”