Page 39

Saturday, July 27

Boyett Farm

Good Hollow Road, Fayetteville, 6:35 a.m.

Another cup? Bent stood at the counter next to the coffee maker.

Vera shook her head. No thanks.

He had been up and making coffee by half past five. The smell of the fresh brew had drawn her down the stairs when she had thought she might stay in her room until Luna was up.

Waking up with Bent in the house was a first.

And no matter that his clothes had that slept-in look and his hair was just a little tousled, he looked far too good. Wore forty-something really well.

Serious personal question, she said, before her brain could override her mouth. She should have been discussing last night s intruder and what it meant, but here she was about to toss out a personal question that suggested things she didn t want to imply. She was just curious, that s all. At least that s what she told herself.

The way he paused to wait for the question made her want to crawl under the table and hide. Then he refilled his mug and joined her at the table once more. Shoot.

No going back now. Why aren t you married or in a serious relationship?

Probably the same reason you aren t. He inclined his head and studied her the way he had last night when she d offered him a pillow and blanket. Life in the military-for me-wasn t really conducive to a permanent relationship. Lots of folks handle it just fine, but it wasn t the sort of situation I wanted. When I came back here, Walt immediately recruited me to go after the position of sheriff. There was a lot of work to be done to straighten things out. On top of that I was busy renovating my place. No time, I guess, is ultimately the answer.

Wow. Vera gave him a pointed look. That s a lot of excuses for ignoring your personal life.

He chuckled. Like you have any room to talk. Why aren t you married or in a serious relationship?

Right there was the reason a smart person never asked questions like the one she d foolishly thrown out.

Not at the top of your game today, Vee.

Truth? She might as well start there.

The truth is always the better choice, he agreed.

I was so burned by our relationship, I didn t want another one for a really long time. She held up a hand when he would have spoken-judging by his expression, an apology. I m not saying that because I want you to feel guilty or to apologize. We were kids. I suppose between Mama s death and you leaving, I just needed some time before wading in again.

He gave her a nod. Fair enough.

Eventually, I dated. I was almost engaged once, but when he popped the question, I said no. He was a very nice man, and we had fun together, but I just didn t get that forever vibe, you know? She laughed. Thankfully we are still friends.

The part she kept to herself was that she d wondered once or twice if she d made a mistake . . . if she d missed her one chance at the things every woman was supposed to want. No, she d decided. This was not her mother s generation. This was now, and people wanted different things. There was no need to follow a certain protocol.

Bent smiled that one-sided expression that always made her smile back no matter the circumstances. I guess our time will come.

Maybe. She laughed. I won t hold my breath.

Me either. He drank his coffee.

Vera toyed with the idea of changing her mind about that second cup, but she was already fidgety enough. Better not to push the limits of her caffeine rush.

Fraley called me at the crack of dawn this morning.

The news surprised her. Does he do that often? Check in on how you re handling things?

More so lately. Bent pushed his cup away as if he d had enough as well. He wanted to talk about the other remains found in the second cavern of the cave-in particular, the female victims.

Really. Vera wondered if the man had passed along any new scenarios or complained about her and Eve s visit.

He firmly believes your dad helped out a friend who d gotten in too deep.

Vera had hoped for something different. Yes, he mentioned something like that last night. She turned her cup between her fingers to give herself something to focus on as she worked up the courage to say what she really thought. My thinking is if that s the case, then the friend was probably the former sheriff himself.

Surprise flared in Bent s eyes. They were-are friends. Could be, I guess.

That he didn t argue the point was unexpected. There are a number of others, Vera pointed out. George Monroe, Daddy s longtime boss. They were friends. His name had popped into her head as she lay in bed last night, trying to pretend Bent wasn t down here on the sofa. Charles Higdon. She ticked off a few other names of big shots in town with whom her father had been friends. Where should we start our questioning?

Seems to me -Bent leaned forward, braced his forearms on the table- you already did.

She shrugged. I suppose I did.

Is there a particular reason you started with Walt? I mean he s a well-loved figure in the county. Everybody knows him.

She d expected him to cut the man a little extra slack. Back in the day, Bent had told her how Sheriff Fraley had intervened on numerous occasions when Bent s daddy was on a rampage. A kid didn t forget that sort of thing.

What she couldn t say was that it was Walt s wife who d been last night s target.

We both know that doesn t exempt him from crossing the line, she countered. Mistakes happen to the best of us. The tragedy in Memphis was a perfect example.

No one is exempt, Bent agreed.

Not even my mama, she said, tossing it out there so casually, she hoped he didn t see the motive behind it. Or Beatrice and Florence or the wives of any of the other men I mentioned.

Your mama would never have hurt anyone, he argued. We can rule her out.

He really had adored her mother. But not the other women.

His smile was back. So that s it, huh? You think one of the wives did this because the husband was cheating with one or both of those women left in that cave. And maybe Evelyn helped a friend in need.

A shiver raced across her skin. Maybe. Whoever it was has sent this same mystery intruder into the house not once but twice. The audacity of the move tells me this is someone who knows us well. The persistence suggests whatever she or he thinks is here must be incriminating. Vera considered the idea a moment. She s looking for something my mama or daddy may have left. Maybe something that points to the scorned wife turned killer.

Or the husband trying to hide his secrets, Bent proposed.

Or that, she agreed.

Then we need to figure out what that something is.

We can start right now. Vera stood.

Bent did the same. But then he reached for his cell, checked the screen. Bent, he said in greeting.

Vera took their cups to the sink while he spoke with the caller. Luna was still upstairs. She likely hadn t gotten much sleep last night, plus she had big shopping plans later. Any search of the upstairs would have to wait until Luna was gone. No need to upset her further.

Bent ended his call. I have to go. There was a break-in over at the Claiborne place. Turns out their two teenage boys have a major drug operation going on in the barn. But we should go through the house together later today.

Just because it was a Saturday didn t mean the sheriff had a day off. Vera was well aware. It s a date. But in the meantime, I d like to interview some of my parents other friends. I need to find answers, Bent.

That will be our next step after the search. We will not stop until we find those answers, he promised.

Vera followed him to the door. I appreciate you playing bodyguard last night.

Any time. He settled his hat into place. FYI, I ve got someone assigned to watch the house until that security system is installed.

Thanks. I, for one, will feel better. Luna would be at Jerome s-assuming they made up, and they would. Eve went to Suri s as often as she stayed home. So Vera would likely be alone.

Eve s relationship with Suri and the business with the Gates guy was just one more secret she could never tell this man-no matter that the cop in her wanted to do so more every passing hour. In truth, it was only a matter of time before Bent or the FBI found the same connection to Suri that Vera had found. Until then, she had enough to deal with without going down that road just yet.

Keep me posted on what you re up to, he said before leaving.

I will. Vera watched him walk to his truck. She actually intended to start interviewing the other potential suspects this morning. But Bent didn t need to know that until she had something to share. He didn t want her doing it alone. Not to mention, anything she learned would be considered hearsay. But she had to do it. She had to know. Had to find answers before this thing went any further south.

When he d driven away, she grabbed her bag and keys. She glanced toward the upstairs landing. Still no sign of Luna. Maybe she needed some time alone. Vera ensured the door was locked and headed out.

She d already pressed Beatrice for answers, and she had no doubt told Florence. The more time they had to work out their stories or cover any other tracks, the less likely Vera was to find the truth. She could not wait for Bent.

And she knew right where she wanted to start.

Higdon Residence

Mulberry Avenue, Fayetteville, 8:00 a.m.

Judge Preston Higdon didn t live out in the county as Vera and Bent did. He lived in the biggest historic house on Mulberry. He d obviously taken great care to bring the massive home back to its former grandeur.

The open carriage-style doors of the detached garage showed off a high-end automobile with vanity plates. Vera knew from her research that the man had two daughters, both at Ivy League universities. His wife was a doctor. And, as Mrs. Higdon had boasted, his name was on the list of nominees for a Tennessee State Supreme Court post.

Dear Preston had done well for himself. Vera should give him the benefit of the doubt. He could be a very nice man. Just because he was a real shit back in school, that didn t mean he d grown into a bigger one.

The door opened after a second ring of the ancient doorbell with its strange bong . Preston himself stood at the door. No butler or housekeeper doing it for him. No little wife dutifully manning the needs of the household. Possibly a good sign. No matter that it was Saturday and quite early, he wore neatly pressed navy trousers and a crisp light-blue shirt with the collar open. He looked ready for a day on the courthouse steps, speaking to the citizens whom he helped protect, or for a stroll around the square for first Saturday activities. He was clean shaven, his hair styled just so, and maybe even had a touch of makeup on his chiseled face.

His expression shifted to surprise. Vera? Vera Boyett.

Good to see you, Preston.

He looked her up and down, and a grin spread across his face. Well, my word, how are you?

I m good. Really good. I m hearing all sorts of amazing things about you. Up for the state supreme court. That s just incredible.

He rolled his eyes. My mother. God love her. She s told everyone in the county. He opened the door wider. Please, come in. Would you like coffee? It s just me this morning. My wife, Charlene, is away at a medical conference.

Vera beamed a smile. Coffee would be lovely.

Well, come on then. He waved an arm, ushering her inside.

If she d thought he had glammed up the exterior of this big old house, no adequate words came immediately to mind at what he had done inside. Stunning perhaps covered it. What she could see of the parlors on either side of the gorgeous entry hall had been beautifully restored, modernized only the slightest bit. The staircase was breathtaking. The woodwork and the plaster walls simply beautiful.

This was very Preston.

On the side table in the enormous hall was a photograph of the family. His daughters, thankfully, looked more like their mother. Next to that photograph was another: his parents. Vera bit the inside of her jaw to keep Porky and Petunia out of her head. The third photo was another older couple. Perhaps his in-laws.

My daughters, Charlotte and Cassidy. He gestured to the first photo Vera had noticed.

Beautiful young ladies, she said, meeting his gaze once more.

Come on. He led the way to the kitchen-a chef s dream of course-where he immediately prepared coffee in a machine that looked like a small prototype of the base one might use to build a robot.

Sit. His hand on her back, he leaned in close and gestured to the extravagantly long island with its Italian marble top. I ll bring the coffee when it s finished.

Vera stilled-as still as stone-as he strutted across the room. A smile slid over her face. Oh, this was too good. She watched as he hurried to start the coffee. Eventually she slid onto one of the stools and reveled in this new discovery.

The machine sputtered and billowed steam, but it wasn t the pleasing smell just starting to waft from it that had captured her attention. It was his aftershave .

It couldn t be this easy . . . oh, but it certainly seemed so.

I hope you don t mind me mentioning it, but what s happening at your farm -he joined her at the island and passed her a cup filled with the fresh brew- is pretty incredible. My God, to have four sets of human remains hidden there for all these years. You must be reeling.

Vera somehow maintained a calm facade as she sipped her coffee. You re right, it really is incredible. I don t know how we lived there all that time and never had a clue.

He shook his head. It s a shame about your father s illness. I suppose he s unable to shed any light on the situation.

She understood. He wanted to take the opportunity for a little fishing as well.

Sadly not. I m helping Bent interview people who were friends of my parents in an effort to learn anything I can about the time frame.

His forehead furrowed in thought. It was what? Twenty-odd years ago?

Twenty-five or -six, yes, for the first ones.

He reached for his cup. Vera watched, noted how fit and muscular he was. Clearly he worked out regularly. The memory of the intruder s solid, muscled body roared into her head.

I was preparing to head out to college, he said as he cradled his coffee. It just seems so . . . unbelievable. Like a horror movie.

You were accepted to Harvard, she said, ignoring his other comments. I remember it being on the billboard in front of the high school.

He smiled, pretended to be embarrassed. I was lucky.

Vera made a scoffing sound. Please, we both know how it works. You were a spectacular student, obviously.

He bowed his head in feigned humility. Thank you.

Vera savored her coffee for a moment before venturing into the deep weeds. It took every ounce of self-control she possessed to sit still and converse with him. Our parents were good friends.

He nodded. They were. I remember. I was usually busy with my own friends, so I didn t see you and Eve much, but I do remember several occasions when your whole family came to some big festivity my parents would host at the house. He rolled his eyes. My mother was a regular party animal.

If he meant a show-off, he was right.

Do you remember any tension between my parents during that time frame-twenty-five or -six years ago?

No. He shook his head. Nothing comes to mind. He made a face that suggested he was confused. Why do you ask?

If my father was having an affair, she proposed, I thought perhaps there might have been tension between him and my mother or between him and their friends. I was so young, I doubt I would have noticed.

Ah. He nodded as if he got it now. Then he made that concentrating face again. I do seem to recall my parents being worried about your parents for some reason or another. I doubt it would have come to mind though if you hadn t asked. Interesting how the memory works. Sometimes it only takes a simple mention of a particular day to trigger all sorts of memories. Have you tried looking through family photo albums? Snapshots from the past can be so good at bringing back things we ve forgotten.

I have. Vera sipped her coffee. They provided some help.

I m sure you have dozens of -he smiled- shall we say, vintage photo albums. Do you have them stored away from sunlight? It s particularly bad for the photographs.

Vera hadn t given a single thought to photograph storage. We have so many albums. Mother loved taking photos. As far as I know, they re all lined up on bookshelves in her library. I guess I ll have to look into changing that.

He gave her a nod. You ll be glad you did.

Honestly, I feel like I m running in circles. I have to tell you -she looked him directly in the eyes- it s a very difficult time for me and my sisters.

I m sure it is. He made a sad face.

Unable to help herself, she leaned closer and inhaled deeply. What is that aftershave or cologne you re wearing?

Clive Christian number one. My wife buys it every year for my birthday. A startled look claimed his face, as if he d just gotten the punch line of an insulting joke.

Vera hummed a contemplative note. I m sure I ve smelled it somewhere before. She inhaled deeply again. Hmm. She drew back. Well, thank you for the coffee, but I really have to go.

She hopped off the stool and headed for the door.

He hurried to keep up with her hasty exit. I m sure I can arrange a meeting with my parents, he offered. If you d like to interview them.

Vera didn t pause until she reached the front door. Well thank you, but that s not necessary. I ll just have Bent arrange it. Nice seeing you again.

She walked out, knowing that Judge Preston Higdon would be calling his mother the instant the door closed.

Gotcha, she muttered.

Whatever else he had done, he d damned well been in her house, possibly twice, caused her to take a tumble down the stairs, and scared the hell out of Luna.

Unless, of course, there was some other pretentious ass in this little town who wore $2,000 aftershave.