Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(95)

She nodded. “I was on the cash register when the guy that ended up in the hospital came up to pay. He was real nervous. Sweating when he left and muttering something about JD being crazy.”

“He said JD? Are you sure?” That was the name Larry Ray’s ex had given him.

“What it sounded like. Then he tore out of here like a bat out of Georgia. He gonna make it?”

Will sighed. “I’m afraid not. He died earlier today.”

“Cryin’ shame,” Josie said. “Just a cryin’ shame.”

“I agree.” He took two cards from his pocket and handed each one. “If either of you remember anything or if the other person comes in again, would you call me?”

Both of them agreed to do that, and Will said, “I’ll move to another table so you can eat in peace.”

“No need.” Josie stood. “Time for me to go back to work.”

Will dialed Walter Simmons’s cell number, and when he answered, Will said, “How’s Jimmy?”

“I don’t know, but I can call you back after I see him. Got called in to work after one of the COs got sick.”

“Great. Would you ask him if the name JD means anything to him?”

“I sure will. Uh, do you know how Larry Ray is?”

“I’m afraid he died earlier today.”

“That’s bad, man.”

“Yeah.” He thanked Walter, then washed up and ate his meal. Fifteen minutes later, he was on the road to Memphis and his cell phone rang. Brad’s name came up on his dash. He answered, hoping Brad wouldn’t ream him out again. “Hello?”

“You were right, and I owe you a big apology.” Brad’s voice was tight.

“What?”

“David is here with me, and you’re on the speaker. He found pages that look like they were torn from Stephanie’s journal. She documented trips where diamonds were smuggled into the country, and evidently she was in on it at least once.”

“I’m sorry,” Will said.

“Yeah, me too,” Brad said. “It’s going to kill Andi. But Stephanie was going to the FBI with the diamonds she had hidden in the horse sculpture.”

“In her notes,” David said, “she was really angry with somebody named JD and may have threatened him. Could be why she was killed.”

A sour taste filled Will’s mouth. “I just talked to a waitress who said Larry Ray Johnson met with someone named JD just before his wreck.”

“Where are you?” David asked.

“Thirty miles east of Jackson. Why?” Will heard Brad say something to David, then Brad spoke into the phone again.

“According to Stephanie’s notes, Jillian was involved in the smuggling operation.”

Will’s gut twisted. “Andi and Maggie are on their way to find Jillian.”

“I know. I’ve tried to call them, and neither of them answer,” Brad said. “That’s why I called you. You’re closer to them than we are.”



Jimmy paced his small cell. Why hadn’t he heard from Maggie or Will? He stopped at the small window and gripped the bars. Why couldn’t he remember everything that happened the night Stephanie died instead of bits and pieces?

He turned as Walter Simmons came to his cell. “What are you doing here? You don’t work this shift.”

“Someone got sick.” Walter unlocked his cell door. “Warden said you can work in the kitchen.”

“Great.” Anything beat sitting in his cell. He walked ahead of Walter. “Can you stay a few minutes? The chaplain hasn’t been by this week, and you’re about the next best thing.”

“Warden said I could visit with you, and there’s this Ping-Pong table on the way to the kitchen. Thought we might see how rusty you are.”

Gratitude flushed through Jimmy. For the most part, the corrections officers in Unit 2 were decent men. His shoulders sagged as he realized why Walter was trying to lift his spirits. No one held out any hope he’d get a stay of execution.

For years Jimmy had wondered how he’d handle this. Somehow, he’d thought he’d never have to. Which was crazy. He blew out a deep breath, calming his nerves a little. If he could just quell the rolling in his stomach. “What’s the weather like outside?”

“Cloudy. Supposed to rain later.”

Seemed fitting it was an overcast day. The waiting was the hardest part. He turned to Walter. “How’s your family?”

“Good. Praying for you.”

“Thanks.”

“You want to play a game of Ping-Pong?”

“Sure it won’t get you in trouble?”

Walter’s eyes were sad as he said, “Nah. Not this weekend.”

Jimmy picked up the paddle and bounced the white plastic ball against the table. Good ole Walter. Trying to help him get his mind off his trouble.

“You can go first,” Walter said.

Jimmy served the ball, and the guard returned it. This time Jimmy sliced it and Walter missed.

“Yeah!” Jimmy grinned at him.

“I’ll get you.”

They batted the ball back and forth until it caught on the net. “My point,” Jimmy said. “Have you heard anything on Johnson?”