Page 43 of Ride the Lightning
The question snapped Sandy back to the present. “I grew up next to the Isons, and they were always so warm and friendly, until Earl came out. The sudden shift was a staggering blow for Earl. Mona Ison, his mother, wasn’t as cruel as Thomas, but she didn’t stick up for Earl, nor did she reach out to him privately. She only said she’d pray for his soul. Mona is living at Twilight Years Estates but is still sharp as a tack from what I’ve heard. Earl has a sister and a brother, Ava Dixon and Dennis Ison. As far as I know, both still live in the area.” Tears filled Sandy’s eyes, and he swiped a hand over his face to wipe away the ones that escaped. “They didn’t even attend his funeral service.” Sandy’s lips trembled, and his voice broke when he said, “Earl’s family refused to even claim his body. They would’ve allowed him to be buried in a potter’s field. Earl’s friends pooled their money together to pay for cremation and a burial plot.”
“Do you think any of them could’ve been responsible for Earl’s death?” Jonah asked.
Sandy sighed. “I can’t point to a single incident that would make me think any of them were capable of killing Earl, but I wouldn’t have predicted the cruel way they treated him either. You think you know someone until circumstances reveal their true colors.”
Jonah and Rocky spent the next few minutes getting as much information about the Ison family as Sandy knew. “Ava was away at college when Earl died. Dennis Ison was around though. He and Thomas both worked for the area’s biggest concrete contractor.”
Jonah was immediately intrigued to find another possible connection to the kill site. “Do you remember the name of the company?”
“Locke-Tight,” Sandy replied.
Locke? Was the owner related to Royce? Jonah and Rocky exchanged a quick glance, and he could tell the PI was wondering the same thing.
“Would Locke-Tight have poured the foundations and driveways in the subdivision where Earl’s body was discovered?” Jonah asked.
Sandy straightened in his chair. “I never thought about the connection, but yeah. The owner was a young guy who’d inherited the company from his father. There were two sons, Jerry and Eddie. Jerry was younger than Eddie by a few years, but lightyears ahead of his older brother in brains and maturity. Eddie was the kind of guy who pissed away every good opportunity and never lived up to his potential while blaming everyone else for his failures. Jerry, on the other hand, took to the business like he was born for it.” Sandy shook his head. “I can’t believe I forgot this, but Earl worked for Jerry for a short time also. It didn’t work out and was a big source of contention between Earl, Thomas, and Dennis. Then he came out, and they had bigger reasons to hate him.”
Bingo.
“I’ve never heard of the company,” Rocky said. “Are they still in business?”
“Nah,” Sandy said. “The construction industry took a big hit during the recession in the early eighties. The subdivision developer filed bankruptcy, and most of the contractors lost everything, including Jerry. He moved to Florida in 1983 or 1984, I think.”
They chatted a little while longer but didn’t learn anything that tripped additional red flags. Sandy thanked them for looking into his friend’s death as he walked them out. Rocky opened the door to leave and jerked to a stop. A sexy guy with broad shoulders stood on the other side. Based on Kendall’s description, Jonah figured they were gawking at none other than Drew Callahan.
“Drew,” Sandy said, confirming Jonah’s suspicions. “You’re earlier than usual.”
The dark-haired behemoth with pale eyes and an engaging smile looked from Jonah to Rocky before focusing on his uncle. “I wanted to chat with you before you left.”
“Okay,” Sandy said. “I was just seeing my friends out, so I’m all yours now.”
“Why don’t you introduce me to your handsome friends?” Drew asked, studying them carefully.
“Rocky Jacobs,” the PI said, extending his hand. “We just met your uncle today.”
“They’re responsible for the police reopening my friend’s murder investigation,” Sandy said proudly. “Rocky is a private investigator, and Jonah is with the GBI. He also is good friends with Marla.”
Drew smiled when he heard Marla’s name. “She’s such a firecracker.”
“That she is,” Jonah agreed, shaking the hand Drew offered him. “It’s good to meet you.”
“Same,” Drew said, returning his attention to his uncle. “I can come back later if this isn’t a good time, Uncle Sandy.”
“Nonsense,” Sandy said, then faced Jonah and Rocky. “I want you fellas to join me for lunch soon. We have the best chicken wings in town.”
“I’d love to,” Rocky said, not tearing his eyes away from Drew. “I’m embarrassed to admit this is my first visit.”
“Do you have a business card?” Drew asked. “I’d love to call you and set up a private tour.”
“Oh, um,” the usually unflappable man stammered. “I do somewhere.” He patted his pockets, smiling like he’d struck gold when he discovered one. “It has my office and cell phone number on it.”
“Great,” Drew said. “Expect to hear from me soon.”
Rocky and Jonah exchanged farewells with Sandy and Drew, then retraced their steps to the back door.
“Oh. My. God.” Rocky sounded as winded as if he’d just finished a 5k race.
“Going to be okay to drive?” Jonah teased.