Foster was in Corbeau, so it makes sense he could have covered up a crime there, but he wouldn’t have that kind of pull in Baton Rouge. So how was he helping Ben with his cases here?
I pull Pete Sanders’s file back open, skimming until I find the list of names Ben had started down the edge of one page next to a particularly graphic entry about one of the people who came forward as a witness against Pete. “Chief” is at the top and then an arrow to a dozen other names, some I recognize and some I don’t. All of them have been scratched out.
The names I know are all locals in a variety of positions—other lawyers, a judge, a couple of PIs, and a handful of guys the DA’s office has been trying to take down for years for various criminal offenses.
I read back through the list three times before it hits me.
Once Foster retired and found religion, I’m guessing he wouldn’t have been the help he once was. So Ben was trying to figure out who Foster turned to when he needed something done outside of Corbeau.
I go back to the file on Aubrey.Chief—Angola June 6th.
What if Paul Granger wasn’t the only person Foster felt like he needed to ask for forgiveness?
How many people scattered throughout these files would be scrambling to save their own asses if Foster was repenting for his sins and the truth came out?
How big a problem would it have been for Ben?
Huge.
Career ending.
But would it be life ending? Could this be the reason Ben was killed?
There’s a piece I’m still missing, but now my internal list of who could have killed Ben and why narrows to the group of files on this table.
“Scott, any way you can see who Foster’s biggest campaign donor was?” I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this but I’m not making any assumptions.
“Sure, give me a minute.”
I read back through some of the other files, making note of every time “Chief” is mentioned while I wait for Scott to get that info.
“Okay, so Foster ran unopposed for his last three elections but he still took in campaign donations.” He leans close to the screen. “Oh, wow. For a police chief seat in a town the size of Corbeau, he had some pretty big donations.”
Oh, I bet he did.
Scott sits back and looks at me, a concerned look on his face.
“Whatever you found, it’s okay. Just tell me.”
He nods and looks back at the screen. “Biggest donor is Randall Everett. And the next below him was Mr. Bayliss.”
Chapter 23
Camille
The Alibi
Saturday, October 10
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
Ben pushes away from the wall he was leaning against and moves closer. I’m still on the ground so I scramble back until I bump into the bookcase. The overturned chair is still on the floor between us.
He stops suddenly. “Obviously, we have a problem.”
It’s not a question so I don’t answer him.
“Get off the floor.” He offers me his hand and I hesitate taking it. He doesn’t move, just stands there with it outstretched, waiting for me to allow him to help me up. I’m back on my feet within seconds and pulling my hand from his just as quickly.
