Firebreak (Josie Gray Mysteries #4)(40)

“Mick Sinner,” he said, hand outstretched. The corners of his mouth were downturned. He had the look of a person who took life very seriously.

Josie stood and shook his hand. “I heard you at Hell-Bent last year. I enjoyed the show.”

“Awesome.” His expression remained unchanged, as if he’d heard it too many times and was no longer impressed by compliments.

They settled around the table and Josie began. “I’d like to talk with you about the country music scene in Arroyo County and some of the bands you play with. I’m working an investigation and the information you provide will help me understand who I need to talk with.”

“Sure.”

“You play at the Hell-Bent. Are you regulars?”

He tilted his head and gave her a look as if he thought the question was odd. “What constitutes a regular in your mind?”

“Do you play there frequently? Several times per month?”

“Sure. We got a good name around West Texas.”

“You ever open for other bands?”

“Here? No.” He shook his head, frowning again. “We headline.”

“You never open for Billy and the Outlaws?”

He laughed. “Seriously? You said you’ve seen our band. Did we sound like we’d open for Billy?”

“I don’t know. Someone at the Hell-Bent told me you opened for them.” That wasn’t true, but she wanted his reaction.

He lifted up his arms and shoulders, his face puckered in mock confusion. “So you just stop by today to insult my band? I’m not sure where you’re headed with this. Do clue me in.”

“Why is that an insult? I thought Billy and the Outlaws were a big name in West Texas. About ready to hit it big in Nashville.”

He opened his eyes wide now, his face animated. “Oh, really? Is that their story? It’s that monster wife manager who spreads shit like that. True or not it makes them sound big. That’s what it’s all about for her. Generating buzz. It’s not about original sound or compelling music.”

Josie said nothing and waited a moment for him to continue. She could tell he was holding back.

He finally leaned forward in his seat and squinted at her as if trying to get her to understand the situation. “They’re a mediocre band trying to snag a recording contract.”

“It sounds like it’s working for them,” Josie said.

“It’s not working for them, and here’s why. You find the band of the moment, you emulate the sound, and by the time you get enough name recognition for your own band the moment’s gone. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.”

“Okay. Let’s change gears. I want to talk about the fires that moved through the county. Where were you the night of the evacuation? Sunday evening from about five until about midnight?”

“What the hell is this? Now I’m being interrogated?”

“This isn’t an interrogation. It’s a homicide investigation, and I have some questions for you.”

His eyebrows rose. His expression was still animated, but the anger had been replaced with shock. “Homicide? In Artemis?”

“Where were you Sunday evening?”

“I stayed with Vicki and her husband Bill. They live on a ranch headed toward Fort Stockton.”

Vicki placed her hand on the table in front of where Mick was sitting, protectively, Josie thought.

“Mick got to our house Sunday afternoon around three,” she said.

“I ate dinner with them and stayed the night.”

“You said homicide. Who died?” Vicki asked.

“A man’s body was found burned to death in the Nixes’ home Monday morning. There was no identification on the body.”

“No kidding? In their house?” Mick asked.

“Have you heard of anyone in the music community or around town who’s missing? Maybe someone who left during the evacuation and hasn’t returned?”

Vicki returned her hand to her lap, and studied Mick with her eyebrows drawn together as she contemplated the question. She finally looked back at Josie and said she couldn’t think of anyone.

“Burned to death?” He winced and shook his head as if to clear the image. “I haven’t heard anything. Rumors spread like the plague around here. We’d have heard if someone was missing.”

Josie had no doubt that by dinnertime the Hell-Bent would be buzzing.

“I didn’t think the fire moved through that area of the county,” Vicki said.

“You know where the Nixes live?” Josie asked.

She looked surprised by the question. “Well, yes. We redid a couch for them last year. Mick and I both delivered it.”

“I thought your two bands didn’t like each other.”

“I don’t dislike Billy. I just don’t think he’s God’s gift to country music,” Mick said.

“Can you imagine Billy having the kind of house that someone would stop by and crash for the night? Maybe some guy’s wife kicked him out and he needed a place to stay. Can you imagine someone going to the Nixes for help?”

Mick laughed out loud and Vicki grinned. She spoke first. “I can’t imagine Brenda giving anyone the impression that they were free to stay at her house without an invitation.”