“You’ve got a good woman there, Creed.”
“I know it.” His expression softened for a moment before he turned back to his screen. “I’ll get as much background on White’s ex as I can before we sit down with her.”
“Good. I’m going to dig into the other men. Roby said White’s brother, two cousins and Fitch the insurance adjuster were all involved but claimed he didn’t know any names. Rawley had already connected Fitch independently.” Hud’s jaw tightened. “I trust Roby about as far as I can throw him, but it’s a thread worth pulling.”
“Same. I’ve been lied to by enough of them to know the tells.” Creed raked a hand through his hair.
“If you find anything, even a hint, let me know.”
“Will do.”
Creed turned back to his screen. Hud watched him for a moment. There was something heavier than the case sitting on Creed’s shoulders, but he wouldn’t push. Creed would tell him when he was ready.
Hud turned back to his own screen and let the rest of Monday grind itself out.
The following morning Hud came in to find Creedalready in Dave’s office.
He settled at his desk, hung his hat and waited, drumming his fingers on the worn surface. A few minutes later Creed came out and crossed the room toward him.
“Ready when you are.”
“Let’s go. We should make it by ten, ten-thirty if the road’s clear.”
“If we don’t hit snow or traffic,” Creed said, glancing toward the window where gray clouds threatened on the horizon. “Looks like Mother Nature wants to remind us it’s still May.”
“Agreed. You have your bag?”
“In my truck. I’ll grab it on the way out.”
Hud sighed. “Let’s go before it gets worse.”
They waved at Dave, who acknowledged them with a curt nod, and walked out to the elevator. The doors opened and they rode down in silence. Through the lobby and out the heavy glass doors, they crossed the wind-swept parking lot to their trucks. Creed pulled a worn canvas duffle from the back seat of his, locked up and tossed the bag into Hud’s truck.
They climbed in, leather seats creaking. Hud started the engine and pulled out of the lot, heading toward Whitefish, the mountains looming like shadows against the threatening sky.
They rode quietly for a while, the hum of tires on asphalt filling the cab. Then Creed exhaled a long, heavy sigh that seemed to deflate his whole frame.
“What’s going on?” Hud asked, noting the tight lines around Creed’s mouth.
“Abbie’s pregnant.”
“That’s great.” Hud glanced over. The muscle in Creed’s jaw was working. “Isn’t it?”
“Yes.” A pause. “But I’m terrified. After Wren...” Hisvoice cracked on her name.
“I can imagine that’s sitting heavy on you.”
“Abbie’s so happy about it and I’m trying to be, Hud, I really am. But I’m scared to death of losing her.”
“The odds of that happening again are low, Creed.”
“But not zero.” He shook his head.
“Does she know how you feel?”
“She does. Said that’s why she was afraid to tell me in the first place. I don’t want my wife afraid to tell me anything.” He stared out at the road. “But she knows what losing Wren did to me.”
“We all do,” Hud said quietly, remembering the hollow man Creed had been in the weeks after the funeral.
