Page 108 of Forever Gone

The SUV pulled from the dark shoulder and accelerated along the county road. Trees crowded both sides, their upper branches moving in the wind. Wet leaves flashed beneath the headlights and disappeared beneath the tires.

The message had arrived as he left the station.

Morimer knew where he had been. Maybe someone had watched the parking lot. Maybe the timing was coincidence. Neither possibility improved Connor’s mood.

He took the turn toward the Morimer estate without slowing.

The road climbed through wooded land until stone pillars appeared ahead. Black iron gates blocked the private drive. Lamps mounted on the pillars cast pale circles over two men in dark jackets.

Connor stopped close enough that the headlights washed across them.

One guard stepped forward, palm raised. The second remained beside the gatehouse with a radio clipped near his shoulder.

Connor got out.

Cold wind moved across the road. He left the SUV door open behind him.

“I want to see him. Now.”

The guard nearest him kept both hands visible. “Hey, calm down, Sheriff.”

“I want to see Morimer.”

“It’s late.”

“I can read a clock.”

The second guard lifted the radio. “Give me a minute.”

Connor moved closer to the gate. Beyond it, the private drive curved uphill through trees. No part of the house could be seen from the road. Morimer had built distance into everything he owned.

The first guard shifted to block Connor’s path.

“Don’t make this difficult.”

“I’m not the one making it difficult.”

The radio crackled. The second guard turned away and spoke too quietly for Connor to hear. After several seconds, the man faced him again.

“He says it’s too late. If you come back tomorrow, he’ll make time.”

Connor almost laughed.

Morimer wanted him standing in the road, angry and powerless, while two hired men relayed instructions through a locked gate. Another reminder of who controlled access.

Connor took the phone from his pocket and held up the frozen image of the envelope on Morimer’s table.

“Tell him I got his message.”

Neither guard reacted.

“It won’t work on me,” Connor continued. “He doesn’t own me.”

The man beside the gatehouse gave a small smile.

“He owns everyone, Sheriff.”

Connor stared at him.