“Why do you think Blaze would want to kill Cory Boyd?” Mac asked, setting the phone on the table and leaning over it as Grace sat down beside him.
“I—I know the last man I introduced Blaze and Tom to is missing.”
Tom Portman. The man with Blaze in the videos. The man Julie kissed on the cheek.
“He never came back here, and no one can find him. Amherst police closed down the investigation. They think he just left his wife and kids, but I know he wouldn’t have done that.”
“Who was this man?” Mac asked.
“His name’s Ian Long, and yes, I told them, but I didn’t have any proof. I’d already introduced Cory to Blaze before Ian disappeared, but I’m done with all of it. I’m quitting my job there. I’m moving away. Too much has happened…”
“What do you mean?”
“Ian’s wife came in here asking about him. I guess he talked about me a couple times, and she thought something was going on between us, but nothing ever happened. That’s—that’s why I became close to Ian and Cory in the first place. They weren’t the cheating type. They were kind and sensitive, even when they were down on their luck, and they accepted me for who I am… I’m transgender, still transitioning, and a lot of men who find out don’t want to have anything to do with me. I’ve been treated poorly by them before. I kind of got a sense for who the good ones were. That’s when Blaze took advantage of my position…”
“Your position?”
“I’m well-connected at the casino. I make the most out of any cocktail server, and I became somewhat of a lucky charm to some of the wealthier customers, which is why they put me in charge of customer experiences. Blaze was nice to me when we first met, but I didn’t like him. Tom introduced us. I knew he was powerful, and some of the things he said or suggested were…disturbing. Never hurt me, though. Always asked for me. One night, he told me he’s a financial investor and that if there was anyone down on their luck in the casino, I should introduce them. That he could help them. Tom told me I’d be helping people.”
“And so you did. For how long?”
“Just over a year now.”
“Did anything happen to the other men before Ian and Cory?”
“Not that I know of, but a few stopped coming here after I made the initial introduction.”
“So back to Cory. You knew he’d been losing.”
“Yes, but he was addicted. I told him he needed help, but he’d always insist he could make the money back. I introduced him to Blaze because he was desperate, and I thought maybe he’d help him.”
“When did you realize something was wrong?”
“After Ian went missing. I told Cory that Blaze meant business, and if he crossed him, something bad would happen. He said he already knew that. That he had it handled. I told Cory not to come back to the casino.”
“Did he?”
“Not that I saw. I hadn’t seen or heard from him until my manager told me you were in. I didn’t know he was from Tall Pines, but when I read about his murder at that wedding…”
“Do you have any proof?” Mac asked.
“No, that’s why I shouldn’t even be telling you this,” she said, sniffling. “But I am because I’m leaving. And because Cory deserves justice, and so does his wife. I couldn’t help Ian…but this time…”
“I appreciate you calling, Julie,” Mac said. “Do you know anyone who’d be able to get me some more information? Someone who might know what the deal was exactly between Blaze and Cory?”
“Just Tom. I know they didn’t always meet at the casino. One time I saw Ian, and he told me Blaze asked him to meet him at a laundromat once. He said he went because it was a public place, but the owner closed it down so they could have a talk.”
“Did he say which laun—“
“He had a black eye,” she cried. “Next time I saw him, but he wouldn’t admit it was from Blaze. He was scared. I already told Amherst police this, and they didn’t listen. I hope you do.”
A beep announced the end of the call, and the cell phone screen light went out.
“That’s enough to bring him in,” Mac said.
“And Tom Portman too.” Grace nodded. “I’ll make some calls to the Amherst P.D. and have them send their information on Ian Long’s file as it pertains to Blaze. If she made the report, they must have it on file.”
“I want to pick him up before dinner,” Mac said as Police Chief Banning entered the room. “Hey.” Mac turned around and shook his hand before Grace did.
“Tell me you’ve got the guy,” Banning said.
“We’re close, sir,” Grace said.
“Putting in for an arrest warrant as we speak,” Mac said.
“I’ll let you get to it then.” Banning stepped back toward the door. “The press is hounding me, and our community wants answers. It’s the most salacious story since…” He turned to Grace.
Since the drama my sister and I were involved in last year.
“I want a full report on my desk of your progress, Sheppard.”
I’ll show you I deserve your trust.
“Yes, sir.” Grace nodded before they both went to work. “Mac, you get on the warrant for Blaze and Tom. I’ll look into Ian Long.”
Maybe it’s Blaze, and that’s the answer. He has motive, but so does Brad Hensen. Once we talk to Blaze, I doubt he’ll confess, but maybe he’ll slip up.
I need a break here. I have to prove I can get this done just as well and fast as anyone else here. Even better.
But whatever we do, we have to be right.