CHAPTER 39

ON MONDAY, CAL AND KELLY checked out of the Okefenokee Inn. They had a direct flight out of Atlanta to Seattle on Tuesday morning, but Cal wanted to get an early jump and clean up a few loose ends before they returned home. He figured they’d overstayed their welcome in Pickett by a few days at least, long enough to see the long-time sheriff arrested by federal agents and a big drug ring busted. But it still didn’t answer the question Cal and Kelly had traveled to Pickett to get for the long feature on Isaiah Drake: Who killed Susannah Sloan?

Cal and Kelly agreed that their first order of business would be to stop by the Pickett County Sheriff’s Department and see if they could speak with Drake one final time. When they arrived, Drake was in the lobby, signing some paperwork with his lawyer, Robert Sullivan.

“Like that, I’m free?” Drake asked, somewhat bewildered.

Deputy Blake Tillman, who was serving as the acting sheriff, nodded.

“Apparently, there were no witnesses who were willing to testify against you, so I saw to it that you were released without any charges,” Tillman said. “I apologize for the inconvenience and any discomfort this may have caused you.”

Drake turned around to recognize Cal and Kelly. Gone was Drake’s anger they’d witnessed at Sheriff Sloan’s house or the bitterness that consumed him in prison a week ago. And Drake’s drastically different demeanor startled Cal.

“You look … at peace,” Cal said.

Drake nodded. “I am, thanks to you and Kelly and The Innocence Alliance. I feel like I have a legitimate shot to clear my name. I’ll never get my NFL career back, but my name is more important anyway, right?”

Cal and Kelly both nodded.

“I’m glad we could help,” Kelly said.

“What will you do now?” Cal asked.

“I’m going to develop a plan for moving forward and come up with a strategy for winning the next trial.”

“If there is one,” Tillman chimed in.

Drake spun around. “What do you mean?”

“You’re only going to be re-tried if another suspect isn’t found,” Tillman said.

“And is there one?” Cal asked.

Tillman shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of, but you never know. Stranger things have happened, so good luck.”

“I’m not going to count on luck,” Drake said. “It played a role in getting me out of prison, but only after twelve years. I’m not too excited about the prospect of relying on it to help me avoid returning there.”

Cal asked Drake a few questions before shaking hands and waving goodbye. Drake grabbed Cal and hugged him, catching him off guard. When he looked into Drake’s watery eyes, Cal realized it was a sincere emotion.

“You helped me get my life back,” Drake said. “Thank you.”

Cal smiled. “It was my pleasure, though I’m not sure I did that much. Just try not to wave any more guns in the faces of any other sheriffs.” He winked at Tillman, who nodded back knowingly.

“I promise I won’t,” Drake said.

“And if you ever need anything, please call me at the paper,” Cal said. “I’ll be honored to help you in any way that I can.”

Drake shook Cal’s and Kelly’s hands before exiting the office.

Cal turned and looked at Tillman.

“Why’d you do that?” Cal asked.

“He’d already been through enough, not to mention that we just might learn that Sheriff Sloan was the one who deserved to be in jail all those years, not Isaiah Drake,” Tillman said.

“You’re gonna make a great sheriff,” Cal said.

“Thanks. And if you ever need anything, please call me,” Tillman said as he handed his business card to Cal. It already had the word Sheriff printed beneath his name instead of Deputy.

“Wow,” Cal said as he studied the card. “You work fast.”

Tillman grinned. “I dream big, my friend.”

Cal and Kelly exited the building only to be accosted by Crazy Corey Taylor within seconds.

“So, did ya figure out who killed Susannah Sloan yet?” Taylor asked.

Cal and Kelly both shook their heads.

“Are you ready to find out?” he asked, flashing his toothy grin.

Cal sighed and looked down at the ground before glancing up at Taylor.

“Lay it on me,” Cal said. “What do I have to lose?”

“I have a picture I want to show you,” Taylor said as he clutched a small photo tight against his chest. “I showed it to Sheriff Sloan during the investigation, but he didn’t wanna listen to me. But I think you will … and I think you’ll take me seriously, too.”

“Let’s see it,” Cal said.

Taylor slowly pulled the picture away from his chest and held it out for Cal and Kelly to see.

“Is that who I think it is?” Cal asked.

Taylor nodded. “Sure is.”

“That can’t be him,” Kelly said, almost unable to utter the words.

“Don’t question me,” Taylor said. “I’m just the messenger who took this picture.”

“When did you take it?” Cal asked.

“About twelve years ago. Not a soul in town believed me when I told them. Guess that’s what happens when they all think you’re on the crazy train.”

Cal looked at Kelly. “I guess we have one more stop before we leave town. Wait right here.”

Hustling back into the Pickett County Sheriff’s Department, Cal flagged down Tillman.

“About getting your help if we ever needed anything,” Cal said. “I think we need your help now.”