Page 64 of In Cold Blood

“No. If there was any selling going on, you know it was being done to nab those dealing. Dax told me. Luke was trying to work his way up the chain. He believed that Operation Heat Wave was just the tip of the iceberg. That there was something bigger.”

“That’s not the picture that’s beginning to form based on evidence. They think Luke was taking out drugs, using them to sell, then nabbing the individuals, bagging the money, and putting the drugs back into evidence for when he needed them next. They think it’s only a matter of time before they find thetrail of money that they were taking and link the two of them together. The Sheriff’s Office has already put in a request to get his bank account records. Still, they think he would have stashed money elsewhere. They even think he might have been responsible for Erikson’s disappearance.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“My words exactly.”

It was only then that he thought about what Alicia had said about Luke paying her six months upfront in cash for use of the cabin. Then there was the location of Erikson’s truck. Alicia had said it was seen near the cabin. Then what Lena had said about the way Luke was acting strange. Was it possible? No. There was no way in hell that his brother would risk his career, his reputation, or their family.

Disturbed, Noah thumbed the pages from the dispatch call.

There was very little.

“She never gave her name. No details about what she saw.”

“That’s right. It was called in, and then she vanished.”

“Have you managed to get a copy of that call?”

“It’s right there,” he said, tapping the paper.

“You know what I mean. Audio.”

“No. But I can. I guess you’ll need it,” his father said, taking a swig of his drink and setting it down on the BBQ.

He glanced at his father. “Need it?”

“Well, you’ll be investigating, right? I mean that’s why you came back.”

For a moment he was beginning to think that his father was acting differently but this was it, this was the way it always was.

“I came back for the funeral. And you know, legally, I can’t get involved.”

“That hasn’t stopped you so far from asking questions.”

“Questions are one thing, Dad. I’m entitled to ask questions.He was family. But Roberts was right. Our emotions are raw right now. All of us.”

In a flash, he whipped around. “Don’t give me that crap. This is what we do.”

“No, this is whatyouwant me to do.” He shook his head. “I can’t.”

“What, because you don’t want another error on your record?”

Noah stared, dumbfounded.

“It wasn’t an error.” He couldn’t believe he was having to defend himself. “You know what. Screw you.”

Hugh snorted.

His tone changed in an instant. That dark cloud emptying hard and heavy. “He’s your brother! He would have done the same for you.”

“I knew it. Ray and Madeline weren’t even invited tonight, were they? This isn’t about you wanting to catch up. Shoot the breeze. Or have a few drinks before I go back. Is it?”

“He deserves better.”

“So do I. If you have a problem with those they’ve assigned to investigate, speak to Roberts.” Noah scooped up his drink and headed back into the house.

Hugh followed him inside. “Don’t you think I already have? Why the hell do you think I went to bat to try and get you a position?”