“I can assume he was a college student in 1988.And he wasn’t a migrant worker.”
Nava couldn’t argue those points.
He lifted his beer bottle.“Want one?”
Wade knew when to accept a peace offering, and he was thirsty.
He tucked the ring back into the evidence bag.“Sure.”
“Come to my office.”
Wade followed him across the hall.Nava reached into his minifridge for two longnecks.He popped the cap off one and handed it to Wade.
“Thanks,” Wade said, settling into a chair.
Nava took the seat behind his desk.“Jackson went to A&M.”
“Did he?”
“Their standards are pretty rigorous.”
Wade sipped the beer, noncommittal.
“Where did you go?”Nava asked.
“UT.”
Nava didn’t seem surprised.The Austin school had a stellar reputation, along with a liberal attitude that many Texans sneered at.
“He interviewed for your position.”
Wade straightened.“Jackson did?”
Nava nodded.
Wade hadn’t known there was a local candidate.He felt reassured by the lack of nepotism involved, and Jackson Nava hadn’t given any indication of hard feelings.On the other hand, father and son had been arguing before Wade walked in tonight.
“You worked for your father in Last Chance,” Nava said.
“I did.”
“How was it?”
“Difficult.”
“I spoke to him the day before you came.”
Wade wasn’t surprised by this news, but he didn’t have a great relationship with his father.He was at odds with both of his parents.The situation might have weighed on him if he wasn’t so accustomed to it.His family was dysfunctional, to say the least.
“I understand that this position is a stepping stone for you.”
“My father told you that?”
“He didn’t have to.”
Wade regretted coming in here for the beer.He scowled, sipping it.
“Every young buck in uniform, my son included, has designs on moving up.There’s nothing wrong with that, and I like the initiative you’ve shown so far.Clearly, you’re a go-getter.But we can’t fabricate a homicide out of wishful thinking.”
