A frustrated exhale escaped Ken’s mouth. "I've got a 12-gauge shotgun, a couple of rifles, a 9mm, a .38 special, a .45 ACP, and a little .22mm Ruger." Ken smiled.
With a subsonic load and a suppressor, the weapon wouldn’t sound like much.
"I’d love to see your collection," I said in an optimistic voice.
Ken chuckled. "Nice try. Come back with a warrant."
"You know what really concerns me?" I said.
Ken's eyes narrowed at me. "No. What's that?”
"Can you vouch for Bobby's whereabouts after 9:00 PM last night?”
"It's lights out at 2130 around here. Sharp. I don't play around. Morning reveille is 0530.”
“Do you keep your guns locked up?” I asked.
His brow knitted. “I keep my shotguns and rifles in the safe. I keep my 9mm in the drawer by the bed. Not going to do me a lot of good if I can’t get to it.”
“What about the Ruger?”
“I believe that’s in the safe at the moment. Where are you going with this?”
“Does your son have the combination?”
23
“Idon’t think I like where you’re going with this,” Ken said.
It was tight, but there was time for Bobby to get from his house to the Welling’s and shoot Ray.
“I’d like to see the Ruger,” I said.
The muscles in Ken’s jaw flexed. “Get a warrant.”
I shrugged. “If that’s the way you want to play it.”
“That’s the way I want to play it. This is ridiculous.”
“Do you own a suppressor?”
“I’m not answering any more of your questions.” Ken stepped back, closed the door, and latched the deadbolt with a clunk.
I shared a look with Jack, then walked back toward the van.
“I think the kid did it,” JD muttered.
“Let’s pull Bobby out of class and have a chat.”
I hated to think a kid that young was a killer, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
We hopped into the van and zipped over to the junior high. I found a place to park, and we strolled through the lobby to the admin office. I flashed my badge at the front desk, explained the situation, and asked for Bobby’s class schedule.
Linda looked at me with knowing eyes. “What’s he done this time?”
It seems Bobby had earned a reputation. I’m sure he was no stranger to the principal’s office.
I smiled. “Just routine questions”
