The forty-six-year-old lawman took off his sunglasses revealing fine lines around his eyes and upper cheeks. His blue gaze fixed on Steel. “I just need to ask you a few questions.”
“About what?” Steel’s voice had an edge to it. He didn’t like or trust the law, and even though he and the sheriff had had a tacit understanding for the past several years, he still wasn’t a fan of his. He figured if he didn’t bother the badges, they had no reason to bother him.
“About that mess with the FBI agent, Raley, and Roy’s Market.” His stare bored into Steel.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I got shit to do.” He turned around and went to his Harley.
“We can do this civil and just chat, or I can take you in. It’s your call.”
“You can’t take me in and you know it. You don’t have shit on me.”
“Doesn’t your ex date that fella Roy who owns Roy’s Market?”
“Yeah, she dates that asshole. What of it?”
“He was arrested a few days ago. I’m sure you knew that. Seems like Agent Powers had a sting operation going on, and he closed down the market and charged Roy with food stamp fraud.”
“So? I don’t give a damn what happens to him.”
“Seems like the other FBI agent, Raley, was working with Roy. It also seems like that was his side business since he was the one who was distributing the heroin in the county.”
Steel shrugged. “Raley? Don’t know him.”
“Breanna Quine did. She worked with him and he almost killed her, but she told me she got away by crawling through the air vent. Isn’t she your woman?”
Steel nodded. “She’s my woman.”
Wexler rubbed his face with his fist. “That’s what I’m having a problem with. You’re telling me she’s your girlfriend and that you don’t know Raley. It’s not adding up.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t knowofhim. I just said I didn’t know him. You got it?”
The sheriff and Steel stared at each other as the noise of the traffic on Main Street filled the gap between them. “You knew he was dealing the drugs.”
“I heard that, but the fucking bastard had left by the time I found out.”
“Yeah… just disappeared without a trace. His wife hasn’t heard from him at all. Seems strange.”
“He’s probably shacking up with some chick. This has nothing to do with me.” Steel took out his leather gloves and slowly put them on his hands.
“Funny thing is that the feds found accounts he had under different names, and they all had money in them. You’d think he’d want to take it out. The feds are wondering how he’s living.” Wexler spat on the pavement. “It’s good to have the county clean again. Raley did some real bad shit and people suffered for it. I’ve been meaning to tell you how sorry I am about your daughter.”
Steel nodded and put on his sunglasses. “I’ll see you around.” He swung his leg over the leather seat and switched on the engine.
“Steel?” The lawman came next to him.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.” For several seconds, the two men looked at each other as a mutual understanding passed between them. Wexler took a few steps back.
Steel jerked his chin up, then pulled away from the curb. In his side mirror he saw the sheriff walk back to his SUV, and he knew that the local investigation into the disappearance of Special Agent Richard Raley was officially closed.
