The Darkness of Evil (Karen Vail #7)(40)

“Roscoe Lee Marcks.”

“What about him?”

“How about we go inside?” Curtis asked.

“Yeah, all right.” Stuckey turned and led them to a tattered couch, its cushions flattened and potholed with wear, its threadbare olive green material pocked with stains.

Okay, gross. Do I really want to sit down on that?

Stuckey sank into a nearby chair. Vail took the armrest of the sofa—as safe as she could get. Curtis floated in the background, casually glancing at items in the apartment—which was decorated much like the couch: thrift store reject.

“We know you’re friends with Roscoe,” Vail said.

“Since we were kids. What about it?”

“He contact you in the past couple of days?”

Stuckey looked away. “No.”

“That was a trick question, Vincent.” Vail waited for him to bring his eyes back to hers. “We know he called you.” Okay, that’s a lie. But it usually works.

“So?”

“So we want to know what he said. Where’s he staying?”

“Didn’t tell me. I told him he could crash here, but he didn’t think that’d be a good idea.”

No shit. Marcks is a smart cookie. Stuckey apparently didn’t get any of the chocolate chips when they were mixing the batter.

“And? Where’s he staying? Where’s he been?”

Stuckey looked away again, his eyes examining the puke-green shag carpet.

“Vincent. Look at me.” Vail tilted her head and gave him a one-sided grin when he brought his gaze back to hers. “It’s against the law to impede our investigation. See, your buddy’s been killing people again. And if you know where he is and you’re not telling us, you could be an accessory to those murders. Do you understand what that means?”

“I think so.”

“It would not be good.” She paused, realized she had better elaborate. “You could go to prison. For a long time. A guy like Roscoe can survive in a place like that. But you …” She shrugged. “Be better if you just cooperate so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Stuckey thought a moment, his gaze wandering across Vail’s face. “He wouldn’t tell me where he is. He’s moving around, that’s all I know. Not staying in one place. Wanted me to bring him money.”

“And? Did you?”

“Ain’t got any to give. As it is I’m behind two months in my rent. I have a hard time keeping jobs.”

“What about places he liked to go? Before he was arrested.”

“Anyplace they served beer.” Stuckey laughed, showing tobacco-yellow teeth.

“You’re not being very helpful, Vincent. I need specifics.”

The smile disappeared. “Coupla bars he liked in town. Don’t remember which ones.”

Vail nodded. “What about when you were kids? Did you like to go places, places you used to play, where you’d go to get away from things? From your parents?”

Stuckey started biting his bottom lip. He got up from the chair and turned, came face-to-face with Curtis.

“What’s wrong?” Vail asked. “Something bothering you about a place you used to go when you were kids? Teens? Somewhere you weren’t supposed to go?”

“No,” Stuckey stammered. “Nothing like that.” He started rubbing his left forearm.

We’re onto something here. She glanced at Curtis and he appeared to be thinking the same thing.

“Tell me about what happened when you were younger. I want to know all the details.”

“I—I’m not s’posed to talk about it.”

Vail pushed off the sofa and put her left hand on Stuckey’s shoulder. “C’mon, sit back down. I promise we won’t say anything to anyone about what happened. You have my word.”

Something’s not right with this guy. He’s not just lower IQ. There’s something else.

Stuckey sank back into his chair. Vail knelt in front of him. “Something happened with you and Roscoe?”

“And Scott and Booker. And Lance.”

Vail and Curtis shared a look. “Scott MacFarlane and Booker Gaines, right?” She got a nod from Stuckey so she pressed on. “Who’s Lance?”

“Lance is the one who started it but Rocky’s the one who took the blame. Well, Rocky did kill the kid.”

“Back up a minute,” Curtis said. “Who’s Rocky?”

“Roscoe. That was our name for him. Because he was so strong. You know, like a rock?”

“And Lance’s last name?” Vail asked.

“Can’t remember. We used to hang out all the time, but I never saw him again after that. Something with a K, kinda like that old film, Kodak. But not Kodak.”

“You said there was a kid involved? That Rocky killed?”

“That’s the part I’m not s’posed to talk about.”

“I understand,” Vail said. “And we won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with us, okay?”

Stuckey looked down. “I guess.” He took a breath, then looked up and his eyes found the clock on the wall. “I gotta go. I have an appointment.”

“We’ll be done here very soon,” Vail said. “Tell us about this kid Rocky killed and we’ll be on our way.”