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SIXTY-FIVE

DAHLONEGA MERCEDES DEALERSHIP

Thomas Thacker buttoned his uniform shirt, glad to have his job and hoping he’d rise to the top and one day run the entire garage. But he’d had to suck it up and work for this rich know-it-all who, yes, had given him a job, but still treated him like he was a lowly monkey wrench poor boy.

Playing up to his daughter had been a no-brainer. Although he had to overlook her flat chest and flabby butt. But that was a price he was willing to pay.

Hell, it was worth it. Win Daddy’s girl over and marry her, and he’d soon be drowning in enough money to show everyone just who Thomas Thacker was. If Daddy got in the way, well, all kinds of accidents happened to people in repair shops.

A smile curved his lips. Just a little while longer and he’d gain access to her trust fund and he’d never be anybody’s peon again.

The morning news played as he poured his coffee and he cursed at all the hype about those dead little girls and the hunt for Barbara. Shit, if they found her and she talked, all his plans could blow up in his face.

A knock sounded at the door, and he froze then glanced out the front window of his dinky house.

Dammit to hell. The sheriff’s car sat in his drive.

What the fuck!

He’d answered all their questions. What did they want now?

Reminding himself he hadn’t gotten where he was by losing his cool, but by playing it cool instead, he squared his shoulders and went to the door. He was nothing if not a chameleon.

After all, they were looking for Barbara. They weren’t onto him.

The knock sounded again, and he opened the door and pasted an innocent, friendly look on his face. “Sheriff, what can I help you with?”

He’d seen Waters on TV before; the sheriff was no nonsense but liked the press. He’d also done a little research on Detective Ellie Reeves and knew her daddy had been sheriff, but instead of her being a shoo-in when Randall Reeves retired, Waters had been elected instead.

Good for the man. They might have something in common. Women weren’t meant to run this world. Men were.

Waters did not return his smile. Instead, he removed an envelope from his pocket. “Mr. Thacker, I know you spoke with Detective Reeves and Special Agent Fox about your ex-wife and the case we’re investigating regarding the death of twin girls found at Emerald Falls.”

Thacker’s pulse accelerated but he maintained a neutral expression. “Yes, they were looking for my ex-wife Barbara. But like I told them, we’ve been divorced for years and haven’t stayed in touch.” Just for effect he added, “As a matter of fact, I’m engaged to another woman now.”

The sheriff arched a brow and Thomas suddenly realized he’d overcompensated by offering too much information. A rookie mistake. He knew how the cops operated. They asked questions that seemed innocent then went silent, leaving the person they were questioning to fill the silence and walk into a trap.

He needed to keep his mouth shut.

“Yes, well, congratulations, sir.” The sheriff tapped the envelope against the palm of his hand. “At the moment though, as no one has come forward claiming to be the girls’ parents, we are trying to establish paternity. For that reason, we need a DNA sample from you.”

Thomas felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. “What? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not at liberty to divulge details yet, but it is important and I have a warrant allowing me to collect a sample from you.”

Before he could protest, the sheriff removed a Q-tip from a plastic baggie and told him to open wide. Thomas wanted to argue and demand a lawyer, but that might draw more suspicion or questions so he simply opened his mouth and let the man humiliate him by swabbing his cheek.

“Thank you, Mr. Thacker,” Sheriff Waters said. “If you hear from Barbara, give us a call.”

The damn man had the audacity to offer him a full-on smile then jutted up his chin in a challenge as if he was superior.

Thomas bit the inside of his cheek until it bled as he watched the asswipe get in his car and disappear down the road.

Damn Barbara and those kids. If she screwed up his life, he was going kill her.