“Spencer said the prosecutor was trying to get promoted to judge or something like that and wanted to use me as an example of cracking down on corrupt law enforcement,” Pops continued. “Spencer assures me that I’ll get past this. I’m trusting your father, Josh.”
“He knows what he’s doing,” Josh said. “I’m glad he’s licensed to practice here in Colorado as well as Illinois so he can help you.”
“Me too.”
Maya didn’t know what to say, but she also wanted to honor Pops’ wishes. “I won’t come then. But if you change your mind, I’m a phone call or a text away.”
“Thanks, Maya Bear,” Pops said, using his pet name for her. “I’m going to head out.”
“I’ll be there in a little bit,” Josh said. “I’m testifying in another case, so I figured I’d say hi to my dad and sit in on your trial for a little bit. Then get back up here to be the acting sheriff.”
“Sounds good,” Pops said.
Maya wanted to argue a little bit, since Pops was willing to let Josh sit in but didn’t want her to. On the other hand, she knew it would be difficult to see him like that. And based on the slow tearing sound coming from the living room as Juniper made dainty holes in her bed, her latest way of ripping things up, her dog needed to work. “Keep me posted, you two, okay?”
“We will,” Pops said, coming over and hugging her. “I’ll see you later tonight. When court is done, I’m coming back up.”
“Okay, Pops. Love you.”
“Love you too. I’ll see you both later. Stay safe.”
“Always,” Maya said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The door shut behind Pops and Josh took another drink of coffee and then set his empty mug in the sink. Maya hadn’t moved. Where did she start? She figured the information she’d learned from Lucas about the dead body was the best. She filled Josh in and he listened, leaning back against the counter. When she was done, there was silence.
Josh finally said, “The Dark Angels are a dangerous gang that originated in Chicago.”
“Aren’t they all dangerous?”
He shrugged. “True, but the leader was a lady who took over after killing her husband. And not just shooting him or something like that. She has a loyal following and rumor has it she tortured him for hours. She wanted the men to respect her. I guess after some of the things she did, no one ever messed with her or questioned her authority.”
“She sounds lovely,” Maya said sarcastically. “But what is one of her men doing here? There’s too many Chicago connections. First Amber and this missing prosecutor want information about Sydney Bradford’s murder, claiming the wrong person was convicted. Then your family comes and they happen to run into the senator and his family and now they’re here?”
“You don’t think my family is involved, do you?” Josh asked.
“No,” Maya said, “I don’t, but I don’t trust the senator. He’s nosy, and Pinecone Junction isn’t like Aspen. Rich people and politicians don’t just show up here.”
“That’s starting to change,” Josh said. “Have you noticed some of the houses going up outside of town?”
“I have, but we’re still not like Aspen. Telluride. Vail. Any of those places.”
“No, but people like to come here to get away. I mean, I think anyone famous could walk down Main Street here and no one would know who they were.”
“True,” Maya said. “But the senator being here is not a coincidence. What do you know about him? I know you knew Sydney, but what about her father?”
“I agree his timing, visiting right now, is suspect,” Josh said. “I didn’t know him well. I knew Sydney and her brother, Miles, better.”
“That guy is off too.”
“Yeah, he was always kind of a loner. Sydney made sure he was included in things and that everyone left him alone. I think he kind of put her on a pedestal,” Josh said.
“Do you still have the evidence Amber wanted?”
“I do.”
“Ever since she asked for it, there have been multiple deceased persons in the national forest,” Maya said. “Not to mention, I think someone is trying to frame you for Amber’s murder. And if your evidence proves that an innocent person was convicted, then they might even turn the tables on you and try to convict you of Sydney’s murder too. Youarethe one who found her. That evidence is important. Plus, Lucas warned me that he wants to talk to you. And not as a fellow officer. He wants to interrogate you as a suspect.”
