“They were. As I told Deputy Taggert, his father had dealings with these people. Pete was apparently trying to replace his father in that relationship, I’m assuming, with the Rebel Yell people. They didn’t particularly care for that. They wanted Pete to give them whatever his father had in the way of information, I guess, on those dealings. Then they were going to kill him.”
“So you think they might have killed Sherman Clancy?”
“It’s possible, certainly. Seems like they might have had a strong motive.”
“None of ’em were carryin’ ID. We’re runnin’ prints and such, but they haven’t come back yet. Point is, we don’t know who they are. May never know. And if we don’t we can’t connect ’em to the Rebel Yell.”
“What exactly do you know about the Rebel Yell?” asked Robie. “I’ve just heard local gossip.”
Monda’s expression became guarded as he
tapped his fingers on the desk. “They’re a big company. They got some locals on their board and runnin’ some of their operations. But the real ownership is sort of a mystery. Could be Chinese or Saudis runnin’ the place for all I know.”
“And they seem to be incredibly profitable. Able to build all this stuff out of their cash flow,” said Robie.
“That’s the word hereabouts, yes. But they’re a big employer. Pay a lot in taxes. They got politicians in Jackson lined up to support ’em. You’re talkin’ tens of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs and for a place like Mississippi, it’s hard to mess with that.”
“But if they’re doing something illegal?” said Robie.
“Well, we got to prove that. And I don’t see anythin’ here that would do that.”
“It’ll involve some digging,” said Robie.
“I don’t have the manpower or resources to dig unless I got some probable cause to do so,” countered Monda.
“Do you mind if we do some digging?” asked Robie.
“I don’t want nobody gettin’ hurt, includin’ you two.”
“If the Rebel Yell had an incentive to kill Sherm Clancy, then that’s a defense for my father in his murder trial.”
“I’m aware of that,” replied Monda. “But what I’m tellin’ you is that you go stickin’ your nose in places like the Rebel Yell, don’t think that the Cantrell Police Department can protect you if things go sideways.”
“We would never think that,” said Reel in mild disgust. She rose. “Can we go now? I could use some shut-eye. It’s been a long night.”
Monda stared up at her. “Didn’t think they let women in special forces stuff. More of a man’s world, right?”
“Well, you know the old saying: ‘If you want it done, send a man. If you want it done right, send a woman.’”
Reel turned and walked out.
Taggert had to look away so Monda would not see the smile on her face.
Monda eyed Robie. “She always that—?”
“—decisive? Yeah.”
Robie stood. “If you need us for anything else, Taggert can get hold of us.”
“Robie, I meant what I said. My job is to uphold the law. But takin’ on the folks at the Rebel Yell? Well, let’s just say we’re not equipped for that.”
“I hear you,” said Robie. “But it’s my father’s life on the line. So whatever road will get him off, I’m going down it. Rebel Yell included.”
After he left, Monda eyed Taggert.
“So what do you think ’bout all this, Sheila?”
She considered this for a moment.
“Well, sir, if I were the folks they’re goin’ after, I think I’d be shittin’ my pants.”
Chapter
39
I DON’T HAVE to stay here,” said Reel.
She and Robie were standing in front of the Willows.
“And this looks a little too fancy for my tastes,” she added. “I’m more into bunk beds and potbellied stoves. Antebellum structures and mint juleps on the verandah just aren’t my thing.”
“Victoria is nice. And there’s really no other place to stay around here.”
“Are you sure she’ll be okay with it?”
“Okay with what?”
Victoria had come around the side of the house with Tyler in tow. He had on shorts and a T-shirt. She had on white Capri pants and a sleeveless, pale blue blouse against the heat.
“With my friend Jessica staying here at the Willows.”
Victoria walked over to them and each woman ran her gaze up and down the other, completing a quick but in-depth appraisal.
Victoria said, “So you’re Will’s friend?”
“Yes.”
“Just got into town?”
“Just.”
“How long will you be staying?”
“Long as Robie needs me.”
Victoria eyed Robie. “Need her for what?”
“For what’s going on with my father.”
“But what can she do? Is she a lawyer?”
“No, just someone I’ve worked with in the past.”
She slowly nodded. “You weren’t here when I came down this morning. Did you go out early again, Will?”
“Something like that.”
“You know if you’re staying in my house I do expect some common courtesy. You’re a grown man and you don’t have to account for your whereabouts, but I was worried about you. What with all that’s going on. I don’t want to have to go tell your daddy that something has happened to you.”
“I’m sorry, Victoria. I should have called.”
Reel looked down at Tyler, who was staring up at her with his finger in his mouth.
“And who’s this little guy?” she asked.
“This is Tyler, Will’s stepbrother.”
Reel shot Robie a glance. “Meaning that you’re his—?”
“—stepmother? Yes, I am. But I’m not wicked. At least to my friends.”
Robie avoided Reel’s piercing look. “So it’s okay that she stays here? She can actually help with what we talked about.”
“You mean security?” said Victoria, looking skeptically at the slender Reel. “How about I just hire some big, burly guys?”
“If you want the JV team, go ahead,” said Reel matter-of-factly.
“Jessica can help us,” said Robie. “I mean really help us.”
“If you say so,” replied Victoria, shrugging. She picked up Tyler. “I need to get this boy some lunch. You two want to settle in and then join us? We’re eating in the pavilion. Get some breezes down there that will feel really good on a day like today.”
She walked off.
Reel looked at Robie. “Stepmother? Did you know before you came?”
“No.”
“Must’ve been a shock.”
“It was.”
“Cute kid.”
“He doesn’t talk. Has some issue.”
Reel stared after Victoria and Tyler as they reached the house and went inside. “That’s too bad.”