32
Monday, September 13, 2:10 a.m.
2402 Altadena Road, Vestavia
Tanner Residence
His cell phone buzzed.
Carson roused slowly.
He sat up, scrubbed a hand over his face. He glanced around his living room half expecting to see Annette Baxter. Then he remembered that he’d sent her home.
His bleary gaze settled on the items lying on the coffee table right in front of him. His gut tightened.
The wedding rings ... golden bands his parents had never taken off.
Images of Annette Baxter on her knees digging frantically in the dirt rushed one after the other through his head.
Dane must have murdered his family. That was the only way he could have had the rings in his possession. He had definitely murdered Zac Holderfield. Carson closed his eyes, rubbed the images away. Was it possible Wainwright had known? Had covered for Dane? Flashbacks from his visit to Stokes had bile churning in Carson’s gut.
His cell buzzed again.
He squinted at the digital clock on the cable box next to the television: 2:15 a.m.
Where the hell was his cell phone? He felt in his pockets. Didn’t find it. Shit.
Another buzz.
He found it between the couch cushions. “Tanner.”
“Carson.”
“Elizabeth?” He blinked, considered the quavering sound of her voice. “What’s wrong?” Panic seized him. If something had happened to Dane ... Carson might never get to the truth.
“It’s Daddy.” A low keening sound echoed across the line. “He’s dead, Carson. Somebody killed him.” Elizabeth lapsed into sobs.
Carson shot to his feet, stumbled slightly. “Where are you?”
“Home. We’re home. Daddy’s in his study.”
“I’ll be right there.” He shoved the cell into his trouser pocket. Rubbed his eyes again. What the hell?
Senator Drake was dead? Murdered?
Why hadn’t Wainwright or someone called him?
Shit!
Carson lurched around the room until he found his jacket. Searched the pockets to ensure the fob to the Cadillac was there, then headed for the garage.
Drake was a powerful man. He no doubt had numerous enemies. A man didn’t get that high up the food chain without stepping on a few heads and over a few bodies along the way.
Was it possible the bodies of Carson’s slain family had been among them?
The mere thought made his stomach churn.
3:05 a.m.
