“No...” Harvey said, holding up his hands in surrender. “No, that’s completely unnecessary. You can come inside and look around all you want. I have absolutely nothing to hide.”
“Then you shouldn’t have given us such resistance, Harvey,” Holt told him. “Because now I’m going to call in the federal team anyway.”
“No, Director Dillinger, please don’t do that,” Harvey practically pleaded with him. “My uncle will be furious, and with his heart condition...”
“Then let us inside, and I’m sure I can persuade Director Dillinger to call off his federal team,” Tom said, he and Holt exchanging a knowing look as Harvey nodded quickly and led them into the shop.
The first thing Tom noticed was the collection of high-end antique sports cars in various stages of restoration, and he frowned with surprise.
“These vehicles look extremely expensive,” Tom observed.
“They are,” Harvey said proudly, quickly explaining himself. “I restore them and do custom design work for wealthy clients.” He pointed toward his office area. “I have all the paperwork, my design portfolios, everything documented in my office files.”
“I’d very much like to examine those records,” Holt told him, and Harvey nodded cooperatively.
“Right this way,” Harvey said, leading Holt toward the office while Tom continued through the large auto shop, looking for one particular vehicle. It wasn’t there.
Tom walked into the office where Harvey was showing Holt his meticulously kept records, detailed drawings, and restoration portfolios.
Tom approached and noticed the impressive diagrams and documentation. Everything appeared legitimate and professionally organized.
“Where is Clive’s vehicle?” Tom asked directly.
Harvey turned his attention to Tom. “Oh, the wrecking company came and collected it about ten minutes before you arrived here.”
“Wrecking company?” Tom’s eyes widened with surprise and suspicion.
“Yes, the car was completely totaled,” Harvey explained. “Clive told me his brakes failed and he crashed into a large tree. The repair costs would have been far more than the vehicle’s value, so it was much easier to have the insurance company write it off.”
“He told us it was just minor front bumper damage from someone backing into his car in a parking lot,” Tom repeated what his son had claimed earlier.
“No, that’s definitely not what happened,” Harvey said, pulling a file folder from a tray on his desk and opening it to reveal a collection of photographs. “Here, I took these pictures for the insurance company documentation.”
Tom stared at the photographs in disbelief. The images showed a vehicle with severe front-end damage, a crumpled hood, and broken headlights. The damage was extensive and clearly consistent with a high-speed collision, not a simple parking lot mishap.
“This is the damage from someone backing into him?” Tom asked, his voice tight with controlled anger.
“No, sir,” Harvey replied. “This is from hitting something at considerable speed. You can see the impact pattern here.” He pointed to specific areas in the photographs. “You can see where he struck the tree.”
Tom and Holt exchanged a meaningful glance, both thinking the same troubling thoughts.
“Can we get copies of these photographs and your assessment report?” Holt asked Harvey.
“Absolutely,” Harvey said without hesitation, moving toward his copy machine. “I’ll make you a complete set right now.”
As Harvey worked on the copies, Holt leaned closer to Tom and spoke quietly. “We’re going to need to locate and examine that vehicle.”
Tom met Holt’s eyes, recognizing that they were both thinking the same devastating possibility. Clive might have been the one to run Lacey off the road, then had his car destroyed to cover up the evidence.
“I’ll handle getting the car back,” Tom said grimly.
“No,” Holt shook his head firmly. “You need to distance yourself completely from this investigation.” His voice carried a warning tone. “Let me deal with it through federal channels.” His eyes darkened seriously. “And don’t say a single word to Clive about recovering the vehicle.”
Tom nodded reluctantly. He understood the protocol and felt his stomach churn as disbelief and dread ricocheted through him.
Later that evening, at dinner with Lucy in the elegant dining room of the Sandpiper Inn, Tom found himself feeling decidedlyuncomfortable and unable to relax despite the romantic atmosphere.
Lucy noticed his distraction almost immediately. “Tom, what’s troubling you? You seem a million miles away.”
