Page 64 of The Smart Killer

Noah narrowed his eyes, his anger mixed with confusion. “Let me get this right. You thought tracking her without her knowledge was the solution? Why didn’t you just ask her if she would be willing? Or better still, speak to me? Or even better, stay out of it!” he said, jabbing a finger at him. “You know she could file a complaint against you.”

He scoffed. “Best of luck with that.”

“You might have been the county sheriff at one time, but even you are not above the law, Dad,” he said as Hugh made his way around the granite counter and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Hugh groaned. “By the way, how’s my grandson?” he asked, shifting the topic away.

“He’s fine.”

“That’s not what I heard. It appears you forgot to inform me that Ethan was laid up in the hospital fighting for his life.”

Noah sighed, running a hand around the back of his neck.

Hugh continued, “A phone call, hell, even a text might have been nice.”

“He’s stable.”

“And you’re here.”

“Don’t diminish what you have done.”

Hugh sipped his coffee and walked past him. “How did it happen?”

“Maybe you should ask Luther Ashford.”

“And why would I do that?”

Noah entered the living room, following in his father’s shadow. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because there is a strong probability that he is linked to the flow of narcotics making the rounds in this city. The same ones that Luke tried to stop, the same ones I thought I put an end to.”

“Liquid morphine?”

Noah nodded.

“It’s gone.”

“No. It’s not; it just went underground.”

“Then you have your work cut out for you.”

“Listen, Dad. I don’t know what kind of mutual agreement he made with you when you were in office, but if it’s illegal…”

“It’s not.”

“If it is.”

“What? What are you going to do, huh?”

Noah shook his head. “It’s not my place to tell you who to associate with, but this man is trouble. He has his fingers in everything: the casino, real estate, security systems. Yes,” he said, firmly removing from his jacket and tossing on the table a list of employees and investors Michael Taylor had given him. “Smart security systems.” He tapped the list. “Among the many names I came across were the investors in Lakeridge smart homes, and lo and behold, who is on the list? Luther Ashford.”

“So, he has a varied business portfolio. Who doesn’t? How do you think he attained his level of wealth?”

“I don’t know, Dad, you tell me.”

“Get to the point, son. I have another appointment in an hour.”

“If I find out that he is behind the narcotics. The same ones that Ethan consumed. I will take him down and anyone associated with him.”

Hugh lifted his eyes and met his gaze. “Are you referring to me?”