The Fallen (Amos Decker #4)(112)

“And then you got the million dollars?” said Decker.

Drews didn’t answer right away. “Yeah, that’s right.”

“No, that’s not right.”

“What?”

“You didn’t get the full million. How much did Norris get?”

“Well, um, he got his commission.”

“Which was how much?”

“Thirty percent.”

“So he got three hundred thousand dollars?”

“Yes sir, that’s what Willie said was standard with life insurance.”

“And how was it paid?”

“Willie took care of that. He just made sure my money got to my account.”

“I’m sure he did.” Decker paused. “Ms. Drews, did you ever think it was strange that soon after your son took out a million-dollar life insurance policy, which was Norris’s idea, he overdosed and Norris got three hundred grand?”

Drews’s lips started to tremble and the tears began to slide down her cheeks. “Mister, are you telling me that…”

“Yeah, I am,” said Decker. “They set your son up. They got a big policy on him and then rigged it so he overdosed and died.”

Drews put a shaky hand to her face and sobbed. “I never wanted my son to die, so help me God.”

“But the fact is, he did die.”

“And…and you really think Willie had something to do with that?”

“I don’t think it, I know he did.”

“Am I in trouble, mister?” she asked again.

“I’d get that lawyer if I were you. And forget about the coffee and muffins. I just lost my appetite.”

Decker and Jamison walked out.

Back in their truck, Jamison said, “God, I can’t believe that. She had to know what was going on.”

“Maybe she did and maybe she didn’t. If I’ve learned one thing in this business, it’s that people can justify anything they want to.”

“So, insurance scams, drug dealers, and framing someone for a treasure. Who would have thought one town could have so much crap going on separately?”

Decker put the truck in gear.

“Only it’s not really separate, Alex. It’s all tied together with a not-so-neat little bow.”





Chapter 66



A PHONE CALL a while later brought Decker and Jamison to the Baronville police headquarters. They were met at the front door by a solemn Kate Kemper and three of her agents.

When Decker and Jamison walked into the room where the homicide detectives worked, Lassiter was standing next to her desk. She looked up in surprise.

“Hey, what are you guys doing here? I—”

She abruptly stopped when she saw Kemper and her agents file into the room behind them.

Decker said to Lassiter, “Can you have your partner join us?”

“Marty? I think he’s around here. I’ll text him.”

She did so, and about a minute later Detective Green came into the room.

“Hey,” he said to Decker and Jamison.

Decker nodded.

Green glanced at Kemper before fixing his gaze on Lassiter. “Did you need me?”

Lassiter pointed to Decker. “No, but he wanted to see you for something.” She paused. “You okay, Marty? You look out of sorts.”

“Lose something maybe?” asked Decker.

Green looked sheepish as he sat down behind his desk. “My damn badge. I usually put it in my locker at the gym, but I can’t find it. I play racquetball next door. It’s pissing me off. You lose your badge, that’s a ton of paperwork.”

He started searching through one of his drawers.

“One question,” said Decker. “The night Dan Bond was killed, someone said they saw a squad car parked in front of his house.”

“Who said that?” Green asked, quickly looking up.

“It was an anonymous tip,” interjected Kemper.

“Any idea who it could have been?” asked Green.

“Well, you’ve been on that street a lot,” said Decker. “Could it have been you there that night?”

Green quickly shook his head. “I don’t drive around in a squad car.”

Decker nodded. “But you have met Dan Bond before, right?”

Green shook his head. “No. I’ve never been to the man’s house. At least not while he was alive. I did go there after he was found murdered.”

“You absolutely sure of that?” said Decker.

Green looked at him curiously. “Yeah, why?”

“What are you getting at, Decker?” interjected Lassiter. “I was the one who interviewed Dan Bond, not Marty.”

Decker kept his gaze on Green. He said, “You can stop looking, because Agent Kemper has your badge.”

Green shot Kemper a surprised glance. “You? Why?”

Kemper pulled out a plastic evidence bag from her coat. There was a badge inside it.

The blood slowly drained from Green’s face. “What is my badge doing in an evidence bag?”

“Because it’s evidence,” said Kemper flatly. “In a murder investigation.”

“What are you talking about? What murder?”