CHAPTER SIXTEEN F: THE NIGHT DRIVER
The deputy called Mara before dawn with news that Russell had been located at a roadside service station two counties away.
He had not been arrested when the officers first approached him.
He had insisted that he was merely a transport contractor and that the dispute over Owen was a misunderstanding.
Then the officers discovered that the pickup truck he had reported stolen was parked behind the station.
Jake learned the news while helping Mrs. Sloane unload crates of vegetables.
“Does that mean Owen’s family is safe?” he asked.
“It means the deputy can ask Russell questions in person,
” Mara answered.
“It doesn’t settle everything.”
Mrs. Sloane put down a crate.
“Can we settle these onions first?”
Jake lifted the crate and carried it inside.
The ordinary work steadied him.
An hour later, Nolan arrived at the fire station with a man in a navy jacket.
The man introduced himself as Nolan’s lawyer.
“My client wants to make a statement,” he said.
“He was told Mr. Rourke might help us reach the right investigator.”
Gideon came from the kitchen drying his hands on a towel.
“I can give you the deputy’s number,” he said.
“You should speak to him directly.
”
Nolan looked at Jake.
“I saw the man from the pharmacy,” he said.
Jake felt the room narrow around him.
“You know who he is?”
“His name is Eric Voss,” Nolan answered.
“He used to supervise the drivers when Russell was away.”
“Why would he threaten my sister?”
“Because Russell told him you were talking to people,” Nolan said.
The lawyer touched Nolan’s arm.
“Stick to what you saw and heard,” he reminded him.
Nolan nodded.
“I heard Russell say your name,” he told Jake.
“I saw Eric leave with a photograph of the diner.”
Mara called the deputy.
Jake called Tessa.
She answered on the second ring.
“Are you safe?” he asked.
“I’m at work,” she replied.
“Why?”
Jake explained what Nolan had said.
Tessa listened without interrupting.
“I told you I wanted to know before the next thing happened,” she said.
“That’s why I’m calling now,” Jake answered.
“Good.”
She exhaled.
“I’m going to ask the pharmacist to walk me to the bus after my shift.”
“I can pick you up.”
“I know you can,” Tessa said.
“I’m choosing the pharmacist today.”
Jake smiled despite himself.
“Call me when you get home.”
“I will.”
When the call ended, Nolan was still standing beside the doorway.
“I’m sorry about your sister,” he said.
Jake looked at him.
“You didn’t go to the pharmacy.”
“I worked for the man who sent Eric.”
“Then tell the investigators everything you know,” Jake answered.
Nolan nodded.
“That’s what I’m here to do.”
