“Yeah.” His voice had become a low growl. “Do it.”
The moment the drug hit his vein, Court became drowsy. It was a good feeling, like floating away. He could deal with being high. It wasn’t the first time. At least he wouldn’t remember much about his ordeal, and he’d been smart and only squeezed a small amount into his arm. He’d be awake in an hour or so, and once he told Seth what had happened, they’d make this SOB pay for what he’d done. The next moment, leather-covered fingers closed around his hand and a rush of cold liquid shot up inside his arm. The high dose would kill him if he didn’t get help. Sheer terror had him by the throat. I’m going to die.
Disoriented and trembling, he forced his heavy eyelids open and stared at the syringe hanging out of his arm. His friend was loosening the rubber band but hadn’t removed it and watched him with dark, stone-cold eyes. He wanted to say something, plead for his life, but his mouth went slack and he couldn’t speak. His heart pounded and then slowed, missing beats as if fighting to pump the blood through his veins. Sweat poured into his eyes, stinging but not for long. As he slipped into oblivion, he heard him emptying the safe. The room plunged into darkness and the last sound he made out was the door clicking shut as his killer left him alone to die.
Thirty-Eight
Friday
It was going to be one of those days. Jenna could feel it in her bones. Dashing to the office without stopping for breakfast was affecting her thought processes. She stared at the whiteboard and shook her head. They had made little headway on any of the cases and the reports she’d ordered had not arrived. When Rowley knocked on her office door, she waved him in. “Have you found anything we can use?”
“Not specifically, no, I’m afraid, ma’am.” Rowley dashed a hand through his unruly curls and sighed. “Seems just about every man and his dog has a beef against the college football coach. He has a string of complaints against him from other teams, and players who he benched over the years are all out for his blood.”
Baffled by Rowley’s information, she cleared her throat. “How the heck does he keep his job?”
“I guess because every team he coaches wins.” Rowley frowned. “It’s all about reputation, ma’am. The college holds football in the highest esteem. You see, Black Rock Falls is one of the first places the scouts come looking for suitable players for the NFL.” He smiled at her. “That’s why we get kids from all over wanting to join the team.”
Jenna nodded. “Okay, so we could have a disgruntled parent, ex-player, or any number of people intent on destroying the team?” She sighed at Rowley’s apologetic shrug. “No one in particular? Or have there been any recent threats?”
“Yeah but I spent most of last night and this morning chasing down everyone involved and none of them came anywhere near here around the time Jacobs or Devon died. Another thing: Wolfe called and said the casts of the suspects’ hands were inconclusive. He couldn’t prove either of the suspects’ nails made the marks on Devon’s ankles.” Rowley met her gaze. “I’ve more bad news.”
Jenna’s stomach dropped. “Okay, give it to me.”
“Walters chased down the design of Jacobs’ ring.” Rowley frowned. “The team made it to the National Championships last year and all the players on the team have one.” He frowned. “Which means every resident of Lyons’ house, with the exception of the guy with epilepsy. He’s the brother of Seth Lyons’ fiancée, so he lives in the house.”
Astonished, Jenna stared at him. “Lyons has a fiancée?”
“Seems so.” Rowley shook his head. “Not for long, I guess, once she finds out what he’s been doing.”
“Unless she plans on visiting him in jail.” Jenna rolled her eyes. “I hope Kane has found something or we’re back to square one.”
“Did I hear my name?” Kane hung in the open doorway, hands on both sides of the doorframe, his jacket hanging open like the wings of a bat.
Jenna smiled at him. “You did. Have you checked Jones’s alibi?”
“Yeah.” Kane nudged Duke into the room. “Give me a second, I’ve left some takeout in the truck.” He glanced at Rowley. “Wanna give me a hand?”
“Sure.” Rowley followed him out the door.
Jenna stared after them. She somehow knew Kane would come back from Aunt Betty’s Café laden with food for breakfast. A few moments later, they reappeared carrying takeout bags and go-cups of coffee. “Okay, sit down and tell me what you’ve found.”
“Jones was in the library, and since Aunt Betty’s installed a CCTV system, I was able to look over the tapes. He did drop by for a burger at eight thirty, but I spoke to college security, and they have him scanned back in the library at ten. He had plenty of time to eat and then go kill Devon.”
Jenna stood and added the information to the whiteboard. “Hmm, seems all our suspects went missing around the time of Devon’s death.” She glanced at Kane. “If Stein went for a walk, would he be picked up on any other CCTV cameras?”
“Not likely.” Rowley frowned. “They’re in the parking lot and around the entrances mainly. You might be able to pinpoint the time Jones arrived back on campus and when Lowe left.”
“Already looked.” Kane sipped his coffee. “When Jones arrived at nine, he walked out of the parking lot and wasn’t carrying anything. I figure he ate his burger in the vehicle. I couldn’t pick him up anywhere near the pool because, as you know, the CCTV cameras were down.” He shrugged. “Lowe left at nine fifty, so he had time as well.”
“Okay, so Jones arrived back at nine and wasn’t seen again until ten at the library. From the scanner records, Stein and Jones arrived at the library at ten. How strange.” Jenna shot a glance at Kane. “You don’t think they’re both involved in these accidents, do you?”
“It’s possible.” Kane shrugged. “They both have different motives but could be working together.” He put down his cup and frowned. “One thing about Jacobs’ death still bothers me and it’s been mentioned before. Both Jones and Stein argued with him recently; sure as hell Jacobs woul
dn’t trust either of them to spot him lifting that amount of weight.” He met Jenna’s gaze. “Devon, maybe. If they both jumped in the pool, grabbed a leg each, and hauled him under the water… but standing over Jacobs when he was that vulnerable? Nah, no way.”
“What about Lowe?” Rowley was scanning the case file. “Does he use the gym?”
“No, he said his job involves a lot of lifting.” Jenna sat down and dropped her head into her hands. She lifted her gaze to her deputies. “Who did Jacobs trust above all others?”