Firebreak (Josie Gray Mysteries #4)(73)

“After Billy sang for you that day, how long did it take before the band formed?” Josie asked.

“Billy knew Slim Jim and the guys. They’d messed around with the idea of starting a band. When they got my blessing it helped. But it was Brenda that got the band going, and Slim Jim and the others forget that now. They knew Brenda was part of the Netham Sisters, and that she had Nashville connections. They were willing to use her to get them a contract.” Hank grinned. “Those boys just didn’t like Brenda telling them what to do. And Brenda didn’t have any problem being boss.”

“Billy didn’t mind her being his boss?”

Hank smiled. “He needed Brenda to tell him what to do.”

Josie narrowed his eyes at Hank, trying to sort out the chain of events. “So why would a guy who’d worked so hard, and come so far, commit suicide? He left a lot of people who cared about him.”

Hank said nothing. His expression changed from a man remembering the good old days to someone who didn’t want to think about the present.

Josie unbuttoned her shirt pocket and pulled out a baggie containing the remaining three pills. “What can you tell me about these?”

Hank jerked his head back as if she’d asked a shocking question. “How would I know anything about a bag of pills?”

“Pills from this plastic bag killed Billy. He called two people the night he ate a baggieful of pills and drank himself to death. Somebody had to give him these pills and you were one of only two people that talked to him that night.”

He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Yeah, I talked to him. I also told him to go back to the hotel and go to bed.”

“A truck that fits the description of yours was seen parked next to the park where Billy died that night.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Hank smiled for a moment, as if doubting they were serious. His smile faded as he noted their stony expressions and the lack of friendly banter. He sat up then, his look now defensive.

Josie and Otto both sat quietly watching him.

“Do you know how many big black pickup trucks there are in this county?”

“Who gave him these pills?” Josie asked. She held them up in her hand and watched Hank stare at them.

Hank pointed a finger at Otto, but kept his eyes on Josie. “Otto asked me the other day. He asked if I was surprised that Billy took pills.” He turned his attention to Otto. “And what did I tell you? I said, no. I never saw him popping pills, but he was a nervous guy. He drank whiskey before each show. It wouldn’t have surprised me to see him taking Oxy before a show to calm down.”

Josie glanced at Otto, and then back at Hank. “How did you know Billy took Oxy?”

Hank laughed, nervous now. “Come on! It was a guess! I told you, Otto, a guy could pick up a bag of Oxy from any number of people.”

“Did you give Billy pills?” Josie asked.

“No.” He made eye contact, his expression rigid.

“Did you see Billy the night he died?”

“I told you I talked to him on the phone.”

“Did you see him in person?” Josie asked.

“No.”

“Do you know why Billy committed suicide? What would have driven him to that point?” Otto asked. His tone was gentler now, his voice softer.

“I don’t know. He had everything going for him. He had a wife who loved him, and a career that was ready to take off.” Hank shrugged. “Who knows what drives any of us to do the things we do.”

“What can you tell us about Billy and Ferris?” Josie asked.

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve heard rumors that Billy and Ferris were having a sexual relationship. Do you believe that to be true?”

Hank turned his head away and cursed under his breath. “You think Billy committed suicide over Ferris?”

Josie waited for him to answer her question.

“I think Ferris was obsessed with fame and fortune and he saw Billy as a sure bet.” Hank stared at Josie for a long while, his jaw rigid. “I’m not going to sit here and guess about what kind of relations they might have had.”

“What about Billy?” Otto asked.

“Billy was one of the most insecure people I know, and Ferris took advantage of that.”

“What about Brenda? Did she know the two men were having a relationship?” she asked.

Hank hesitated. “I sure as hell hope not.”

*

When Otto and Josie got into the jeep Josie asked, “What do you think?”

“The pills bother me. I think he knows something.”

Josie took the list of names Otto had printed off from her shirt pocket and unfolded it.

“Everyone on this list drives a dark-colored four-door truck that matches the description of the truck that was next to the park the night Billy committed suicide. All of these trucks were at the Hell-Bent for Billy’s memorial service.”

“Let’s go over the list again,” Otto said. “Who on this list is a known drug dealer? Who had the means to deliver pills to Billy?”

They scanned the list together and Otto pointed to a name at the bottom of the list. “Paula Mun?oz.”

Josie groaned. “Damn. She drives me crazy.”

Otto glanced at his watch as he pulled out of the lane and headed toward the police station. “Josie, it’s six o’clock. We’ve been at this seven days straight. I need a few hours tonight. Delores is making noise about the long hours and me retiring again.”