Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(54)

Tyson figured that the best way to ambush the lawyer, if that was needed, would be by boat, but the bridge at Mill Creek was small, and a large craft wouldn’t fit underneath. He could send a crew on Jet Skis, but that would be too loud. A fishing boat was probably the best option, but Tyson knew he wouldn’t go that route either. There was too much security, not to mention the rednecks who resided on either side of the Rich home. Chase Wittschen was ex-military, and the Tonidandel brothers, who lived across the street, weren’t to be messed with either. If Tyson tried to hit the house, it would be World War III, and he wasn’t sure if he could win.

Any way he sliced it, if he was going to remind the billboard attorney of his obligations, he’d have to do it away from his home. Which is better anyway, he thought as the unmarked police car rolled to a stop beside him. He climbed inside.

“Talk,” he said as soon as his butt touched the seat.

Deputy Kelly Flowers pressed the accelerator and cleared his throat, not looking at Tyson. “Rich seems focused on Trey Cowan. He’s got an investigator. I believe his name is—”

“Harry Davenport,” Tyson said, holding up the card Dooby had given him. “What’s his story?”

“Was a bouncer at Sammy’s in Birmingham for a couple years.”

“Nice place,” Tyson said.

“Before that, he was in the army Ranger program.”

“Great,” Tyson said, taking a gulp of Sun Drop and belching. “Any chance Trey could be involved in Dr. Waters’s murder?”

Kelly glanced at him. “Not that the sheriff’s office is aware of.” He seemed to be weighing whether to say anything more, no doubt remembering how their last ride had ended.

Tyson grinned at him. “Relax, Kelly. I’m not in the mood to teach any lessons today. And I don’t have the time. But to respond to what you’re no doubt thinking, I’m not aware of any involvement on Trey’s part.”

“I’ve heard he might have done a job for you a month or so before the murder.”

“Who told you that?”

Kelly again glanced at Tyson. “His mother. Last time I was at Top O’ the River. I’d eaten with some of the other officers. She asked whether I knew anything about Trey working for you.”

“What did you tell her?”

“The truth. That I hadn’t heard any such thing. Then she said Trey took a trip for three days in June and didn’t tell anyone where he was going. He left his car here and must have driven something else. She was worried that he might have made a delivery for you.”

Tyson frowned. “Even if she was worried, why would she tell you? Aren’t you supposed to be an officer of the law?”

“Me and the Cowan family go way back. I’d never arrest Trey unless I was forced to. Trudy knows that.”

“Does she also know that you work for me?”

“Of course not,” Kelly said. “Nobody knows that.”

For a moment, there was silence, and then Kelly asked the question hanging in the air. “Tyson, did Trey make a run for you?”

“No,” Tyson answered.

“Then where’d he go?”

“Beats the hell out of me. Doesn’t his father live in Florida?”

“Yeah, but according to Trudy, Trey won’t have anything to do with him.”

“Maybe not,” Tyson said. “But money is a strange motivator.”

“What does that mean?”

“Maybe the golden boy wanted some dough? Maybe he borrowed fifteen grand from his old man so he could pay Waylon Pike to kill Waters?” Tyson chuckled. “Wouldn’t that be some shit?”

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” Kelly asked.

Tyson’s grin faded away. “Do you really think I’d tell you what I believe, Kelly?” Tyson waited a beat and changed the subject. “What’s Rich up to? What’s the scuttlebutt in the office?”

“He shook everyone up with his press conference today, which immediately led to a gag order from Judge Conrad.”

“Do the sheriff and the district attorney still feel confident in a conviction?”

“Yes, but they’re concerned about Pike.”

“Why?”

“He’s a convicted felon, just like Rich said on television today. They’re concerned about his credibility.”

“Don’t they have more?”

“Of course. They have motive out the ying-yang with Dr. Waters’s affair and his threat to file for divorce. Plus, no one had more contact with Pike than Jana Waters. And she’s one of the richest women in town, and she did take out $15,000 cash from the bank the day before the murder.”

“Sounds rock solid to me. Jason Rich is going to have to be a magician to get his sister out of that.”

“He’s not going to roll over. That seems pretty clear.”

“Maybe not,” Tyson said. “And as long as he keeps his word about not implicating me, I don’t care what he does. Hell, I almost hope he wins.”

“You’re not serious?” Kelly asked.

Tyson thumped the deputy on the side of the head with his index finger like he might be a five-year-old kid acting up. “You’re not going to make me beat your ass, are you, Kelly?”