Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake)(56)

“Copy that. Tell Gwen—ah, hell. She knows.”

I hang up after polite goodbyes and pull up the Knoxville criminal courts docket. If the reporters haven’t already recognized her name, the firestorm will start burning our direction soon. I have until then to make sure the kids—including Vee Crockett, now, because I just made her our responsibility—are safe and our defenses are solid.

The first call I make is to Kezia to alert her; she’ll notify the rest of the Norton PD that we’re going to need eyes on our house to control any journalists who stampede this way. We’ve got protocols, so I’m not really worried until Kez says, “I was hoping not to talk to you, Sam.”

I don’t like that. At all. “Why?”

“Because the statements that our suspects are giving contradict what Lanny told us. They say that they knew nothing about Candy, but that they only chased Lanny because they thought she was the one who did it and they were—I’m quoting a Belldene here, remember—trying to bring her to justice.”

“Bullshit,” I bark.

“And they’re shoveling it high and deep. Anyway, we’re going to need that girl in sooner rather than later.”

“I’m not doing that.”

“Sam.”

“Come on. I know you’re fair. But will the county DA, or the judges, or a jury around here be that fair? Kez. It’s not like this tie will go to the killer’s daughter.” I can hear the arguments now. We’re the newcomers. The strangers. Lanny’s got bad influences. The Belldenes have been part of this town since before the Civil War. Tie goes to the locals.

“Sam, I’m going to do what I can, you know that. But you’ve got to bring her in and get this cleared up.”

“Can’t,” I say. “I’m not her legal guardian. Gwen’s not here right now.” I’ve never been so glad of that. They can’t interview someone Lanny’s age without a parent or legal guardian’s permission. And Gwen’s very unavailable right now. “I’ll let you know when she’s back.”

Kez sighs. “Dammit, don’t try to pull something clever. I don’t want to be looking for you too.”

She’s a good friend, Kezia. But that doesn’t mean she won’t come after me and throw my ass in jail. I know that.

“I’ll call when I get Gwen back,” I tell her. “Until then, you’re not talking to Atlanta Proctor. No offense meant.”

“None taken. I’m glad she’s got advocates. Talk to you soon, Sam. A patrol unit’s going to be hanging around the lake, like you asked.” That’s both to help out with the reporters who will descend, and also to alert Kez when Gwen gets back. Dual duty.

I think about what else I can do. Not much, as it turns out, which is frustrating. By the time I could get to Knoxville, Gwen will be bailed out and headed home. But hunkering down here, however logical it is right now, that feels wrong too.

I look up at a knock on the office door, and get up to open it. It’s Vee Crockett. “Hey,” she says. “Can I come in a minute?”

I gesture her into the room and, on a hunch, shut the door behind her. She settles into Gwen’s office chair and spins it around, leaning back at such an angle I’m afraid she’s going to tip and break her neck. I reach over and close down the laptop screen.

“I wasn’t looking,” she says, and suddenly stops spinning to stare at me. “You wonder why I come all the way here, right?”

“You’re not here for Lanny?”

She smiles. It’s not quite right, that smile. Makes me tense up. “Nope,” she says. “Well, I like Lanta all right. She’s a cutie pie. But there’s something I wanted to tell Ms. Proctor.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“You ain’t Ms. Proctor,” she says.

“Vee, I have had a shitty day, I’m really tired, and I’ve got no patience for bullshit right now. Just spit it out.”

She sizes me up, then nods. “It’s about Vernon Carr. The man what owned that compound outside Wolfhunter? Owned the garage too?”

Cult leader. All-around asshole too. “What about him?”

“I know where he’s at.”

I don’t honestly know whether to believe her. She looks smug enough. But I shake my head. “Tell the FBI; they’re the ones looking for him.”

“I figure there could be a reward. But they won’t give it to me. I ain’t old enough. But you could get it and give it to me.”

I’m way too tired for this. Too worried about Gwen and Lanny and Connor. “We’re not cops, we’re not agents, and I’m not lying to the FBI for you. Okay, Vee? You can stay here until Gwen gets back, and then we’ll have a conversation about what comes next. That’s the best offer you’re getting. How’s that?”

“Sucks,” she says crisply. “And you’re kind of an asshole, Sam.”

“When I need to be. But mostly I’m just too tired to sugarcoat things right now.” I expect her to leave. She doesn’t. She spins the chair again, but more slowly. “Vee. Go. I need to make some calls.”

“In a minute.” She faces me again. “What if I told you ol’ Vern ran off to join up with Father Tom?”