Page 27 of Deeper Than the Dead
“We’ve known each other most of our lives, if that’s what you mean,” Vera said. “Now, if you’ll get off this property—”
As if he’d received some sort of cue or had been close enough to hear the exchange, a large man, camera on his shoulder, appeared from around the corner of the house.
Vera had known he wouldn’t be far away. She was mad enough to spit. Without a word, she turned her back to both. She was not giving this woman a sound bite or a usable image to manipulate or exploit.
“Vera, do you feel singularly responsible for what happened to your team?” Patton shouted to her back.
Vera stalled. She told herself to keep going, but her brain just wouldn’t issue the command.
“You and Detective Carver were close. Shouldn’t you have seen this coming?”
Vera turned slowly, aware that the camera would be rolling. “Detective Carver was an outstanding member of our team. No one could have foreseen her actions. Whatever caused this tragedy, I refuse to trample her career in light of the years she devoted to the department and the community—for your ratings.”
“Perhaps you’re more worried about your career,” Patton argued. “Based on what I’m hearing, you should have spotted the cracks before the breakdown happened.”
Vera nodded. The words had hit home. “You’re right. It was my job to recognize anyone who was not fit to carry out his or her duties. I did what any other person in my shoes would have done—the best I could. Perhaps it wasn’t enough, but I am only human. I cannot read minds or see the future.”
“How strange that you would say this when seeing the future is what your glorified PAPA team was all about. Perhaps it was never about anything more than profiling and harassing certain minority groups in poor neighborhoods.”
Vera wilted a little despite her best efforts. This was where the tragedy had been headed since the moment Detective Carver pulled the trigger of her weapon in that mission briefing room.
Patricia Patton didn’t care about the two detectives who died that day. She only cared about ratings and awards. She cared about promoting unrest and villainizing the department. All for just one thing—staying on top.
“That’s a question for the chief of police’s office,” Vera said before turning her back once more.
“You’re no stranger to tragedy, Vera,” Patton called after her. “Was the unsolved disappearance of your stepmother the reason you chose a law enforcement career?”
Vera hesitated but kept going. Soon she would hit the tree line, and she doubted the ambitious reporter would have the guts to follow her into the woods, since there would be cops at the crime scene. Not that there was any hope of keeping this thing low profile. The find in the cave was the absolute perfect backstory to the drama unfolding in Memphis, making Vera an ideal target.
“Or maybe,” Patton threw out, “your career path was just the safest place to hide from the secrets of your past.”
Vera froze.
Was that what she’d been doing all this time ... hiding?
11
“That’s enough.”
The fiercely growled statement had Vera pivoting in the direction of the voice. Bent had come out of nowhere and was herding Patton and her cameraman back around the house. Vera followed.
When had he gotten here? She hadn’t heard his truck, but then she’d been a little distracted. She’d checked out the window before coming outside and hadn’t spotted him or his vehicle, so obviously he’d only just arrived. Since she hadn’t seen Patton or a news van either, apparently she and her colleague had walked from wherever they’d parked. Evidently Bent had as well.
Once he had the two herded into the front yard, Bent warned, “If you come on this property uninvited again, I will arrest you.”
Patton smiled knowingly. “I’m sure you will, Sheriff.”
With that and a final parting glance at Vera, she walked away. The man carrying the camera followed. Sadly this would not be the last time Patton crossed the line. She had a reputation for just this sort of strategy. You didn’t rise to the top of the heap in her business by pulling any punches.
Vera should’ve thanked Bent. Instead, she glared at him. “They were already leaving. It wasn’t necessary for you to make a show of force.”
He cocked his head and studied her. “You worried she’ll think you actually do have an in with the local cops?”
How the hell long had he been listening?
Long enough, obviously. She shouldn’t be surprised or worried that he’d heard anything he didn’t already know. The whole country knew about Memphis. He couldn’t have missed it if he’d wanted to. At least not if he watched the news. Like everyone else, he might not be aware of all the details, but he had the gist of the story.
Vera had made a mistake. A terrible, tragic mistake by not seeing what was right in front of her. Her gut clenched, and the acid from that one hasty cup of coffee she’d downed burned its way up her throat.
