Page 105 of In Cold Blood

“You think Dax was…”

“The patron,” Noah said, expanding before she could reach that conclusion.

“He was sporting a shiner when we saw him,” Callie said.

“No, not after the funeral. That came later. However, he did have a cut lip back then. The shiner, well he told me he got that when the double doors from the kitchen swung into him. But then again, he also said he worked until 2 a.m. that evening. I think he may have been involved in the fight. He said Luke dropped him off because his vehicle wasn’t working. He had toget the engine fixed and so he was relying on others to get back and forth. The question is why did he lie?”

The world around him passed by in his peripheral vision. As Noah got closer to High Peaks, he was beginning to wonder how deep Dax had gotten involved. Other than Cyrus, who may have held a grudge against Luke, it was Dax who had every reason to want Luke out of the way. He’d seen the resentment in his eyes.

Before arriving back in High Peaks, Noah pulled into Meadowbrook Public Campground as it was on the way in. It was mere ten minutes west of the Pub and Brewery. Sure, enough his black Chrysler Minivan was there. Noah pulled up, leaving a plume of dust and grit in the air behind his vehicle. He pushed out and went over, peering into the vehicle. Its dark-tinted windows made it hard to see at night. He banged on the window.

“Dax!”

No answer. Squinting, he could just make out his sleeping bag but he wasn’t there. He glanced around. Noah called out his name a few more times just in case he’d walked off. There was no response. Noah cast a glance at Callie and shook his head before getting back in and reversing out.

They drove into the city, pushed forward by purpose and a need for answers.

27

The tension was palpable.

Harry Carter was in the middle of pouring a pint when they entered. He looked up and met Noah’s gaze. That same slimy smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Noah scanned the room. He went around the back and scanned the kitchen then shook his head. All the while Harry observed them, still pouring.

“Officers. Two visits in one day. I feel special.”

“Where’s Dax Jameson?” Callie asked. Noah was doing his best to take a back seat but was biting at the bit to throw in his two cents.

“I’ll be right with you,” Harry said, taking his time finishing up. It was clear he was moving slowly on purpose. He motioned with a finger for them to follow him out back into a quieter area as they were drawing the attention of curious patrons.

He pushed through the double doors and led them to a small office, where he motioned for them to go inside. Once in, he closed the door behind him. “Please. Take a seat.”

The room was cramped. It held a desk covered with piles of paperwork, a Mac computer, and a coffee cup. The wall had awhiteboard showing a breakdown of shifts, who was on, and who had canceled.

“We’ll stand.”

Noah stood in front of the board. He noted that Dax was working on the Friday in question and it had him listed until two that evening.

“Okay. How can I help?”

“So, where is he?” Callie asked.

He pointed to the whiteboard. “Dax isn’t working today. Why?”

His gaze bounced between them. Noah couldn’t hold back.

“Why didn’t you tell us that Dax didn’t work until two on June 3?”

He shrugged. “Because you only asked about me.”

“He was the patron that night, wasn’t he?” Noah said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

“The night my brother was called out to here. The night he died. Dax was the one who got into a fight with Cyrus. That’s why the patron wasn’t here and they never pressed charges.”

“I’m sorry, you must have it confused with a different night.”

Noah stepped forward. “Enough games. You sent him and Cyrus home.”