Francie returns with a large travel mug of coffee, and Will takes it gratefully. “Thank you.”
“You need to rest. Coffee alone won’t keep you sharp throughout the day.”
“I know. I’ll rest this evening.”
She glances at the house. “Is he still in danger?”
“Likely.”
She returns her gaze to Will. “Are you going to do something about that?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
*
The police station is a one-story structure right outside of town. Will has been inside a few times in his life, once after his mom died in a car crash and the other times when he was arrested after Joel’s death. The sheriff’s men enjoyed finding different reasons—all made up—to throw him into a jail cell for a night or two. He never demanded to speak with a lawyer, knowing it would only make things worse.
Walking into the station, he tries not to think of the past, but memories don’t work like that.
The sheriff walks out of his office as if expecting Will to arrive. From the dark bags underneath his eyes, he hasn’t slept much either. The young policewoman by the front desk starts to speak, but the sheriff cuts her off. “That’s okay, Beth. We have a meeting.”
Will follows him into his office. As he sits, he’s faced with a framed photo of Joel, wearing a football jacket and smiling proudly. A golden boy. The pride of Van Buren.
The sheriff tilts the photo away from Will and sitsdown. “How are Owen and Sheryl?”
“They’re fine. I took them home. Is Nate still here?”
“Yes. He hasn’t demanded to be released yet, but he will soon. Whether he’ll go talk to his other employer is uncertain.”
“What did he say about that?”
“That he needed the extra money, and that he never gave Ray sensitive information.”
“You believe him?”
“Of course not, but I can’t keep him here, and I want to use the opportunity to take down the mayor.” The sheriff’s eyes harden. “I know he’s your family, but—”
“He’s not my family. Never was. How do you want to take him down?”
“I need him on record talking about his dirty dealings.”
“He has partners.” Will goes over the names of those he met during the mayor’s events.
The sheriff leans back in his chair, his palms on his stomach. “For someone who doesn’t get along with the man, you sure know a lot about who he’s doing business with.”
The air feels heavier; the office warmer. Will’s skin becomes transparent under the sheriff’s piercing stare. But he came here to get results, and for that he needs to be honest.
“Ray is paying for Julie’s stay at the hospice. In return, I go to his house every once in a while to serve hisbusiness partners.”
“Serve as in…?”
“Yes.” He leaves it at that, not looking away or showing his shame, because he has no reason to feel ashamed.
The sheriff opens his mouth, then closes it, tapping his fingers on his large desk. Finally, he asks, “Did you know about Ray’s involvement in the drug pandemic around the county?”
“I suspected they were dealing with something fishy, but I only recently heard them talking about it more specifically. Even then, they didn’t go into the details, and Ray later warned me to keep my mouth shut.”
“Would you testify?”
