Page 86 of Forgotten Path

“For crying out loud, did you really drag me down here to moan about being fired?” He spat the words at her.

“Nope, I asked you to meet me so I could warn you.”

“Warn me? Warn me aboutwhat?” Chad said, impatience and irritation lacing the words.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I went to the food bank this afternoon to help pass out groceries.”

“Gold star for Brianna.”

This guy was a complete jackwagon.Felicia shook her head.

Brianna seemed unfazed. “While I was there, I overheard something interesting.”

“Doubt it.”

“Apparently, the police have classified Doc’s death as a murder.”

“A murder?” he repeated. “You’re sure?”

“That’s what I heard. But there’s more. They think they know who did it.”

There was a very long silence. Brianna’s heart pounded loudly through the recording device nestled in her bra.

At last, Chad cleared his throat. “I’m not interested in idle gossip.”

“They’re saying Fred Glazier did it.”

“What?”

“I guess it makes sense. I mean, he has a motive. Doc was kicking up a fuss about the dead fish in the lagoon, and Fred was worried it would screw up the development project. So, I want to apologize. I’m sorry that I, you know, suggestedyouwere the last person to see Doc alive. Fred must have shown up after you left and offered to pay him to keep quiet. I guess Doc must’ve refused.”

Brianna sounded sincere. But would Chad buy it?

“I guess so. Fred. I can’t believe it,” he said slowly. “Actually, I can. I wish I didn’t.”

Felicia nodded approvingly.You’ve hooked him. Now reel him in.

“Yeah, they said he must have had an accomplice, though. Something about Doc’s Jeep and one of Fred’s trucks being spotted on the Florida Turnpike. I didn’t catch all the details.”

“Did you hear anything else?”

“Just that they’re planning to offer a deal to Fred if he’ll give them the goods on you.”

“On me?” he squeaked.

“Yeah. I guess Doc managed to tie all those nitrates and phosphates you and Fred dumped into the estuary to a bunch of health issues. You already have a record of dumping, so they’re going to go after you for it if they can get Fred to fill in the blanks. Just thought you should know.”

“Why are you telling me this?” he demanded, suddenly suspicious.

Felicia tensed. If this plan was going to go south, it would happen now. But Brianna was as cool as could be.

“Look, I’m going to need to put Gulf Paper on my resume. It’d be better for me if the CEO wasn’t in prison for poisoning an entire town’s food supply.”

“What am I gonna do?” he moaned.

“You have to go to the police. Tell them what you know about Fred.”

“I can’t do that.”