Page 19 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)
“Did you check his references?” Sylvie asked, only to be met with a cynical stare.
“We do things differently around here,” Mekhi finally said as he let his hand drop. “Jacob kept to himself. Did his job, got paid under the table, and didn’t cause any trouble. Hell, I didn’t even know that Walsh was his last name.”
“He had to eat, right?” Theo inquired before Mekhi could shut down any more questions. “Did Jacob come to the diner with you? Make any friends that you know of?”
Theo already had a photograph of Mitch Norona on his phone in anticipation of Mekhi’s arrival. He tapped the screen, entered his password, and then slid the phone across the table.
“Maybe this man?”
Mekhi leaned forward, squinting as he attempted to study the man in the picture.
“Looks familiar, but I can’t place him. He isn’t from around these parts.”
“No, he isn’t,” Theo replied in agreement as he retrieved his phone. “But he rented out your boat for a day in the summer of 2014. He?—”
“…was the only son of a bitch who didn’t pay under the table.” Mekhi was nodding in remembrance. “I remember him now. He showed up with a fishing pole that wasn’t worth shit, too. I made an exception, but only because he was willing to pay double. Can’t recall his name.”
“Mitch.” Theo didn’t bother mentioning a surname. “Did Jacob seem overly friendly with him?”
“Like I said, Jacob kept to himself. He helped out when it was needed, prepared the fishing equipment, kept the boat clean, things like that.” Mekhi shrugged, and it was obvious his patience was running this. “I answered your questions. I don’t see why?—”
“Where did Jacob stay when he worked for you?” Sylvie asked before Mekhi could stand from the chair. “If he worked weekends, then where did he reside in Silverton?”
“Some cabin off Pines Trail. A fella by the name of Atka owned a large portion of the land to the north of here. He’s passed on some years now. Truth be told, no one has been up in that area for years. The place is probably rubble by now, especially given the elements around these parts.”
Theo managed to refrain from pointing out that Mekhi had been in possession of vital information regarding Jacob, but doing so would only irritate the older man.
“So, no one lives up there now?” Sylvie asked as she pushed away her empty teacup. “Would it be possible for us to contact whoever bought or inherited the land?”
“Atka’s son, but he lives somewhere on the East Coast. Word has it that he plans to hold onto the land until the value goes up, but that won’t be happening anytime soon. The land extends too far into the mountains. No one would ever be granted permits to build a fancy resort or condo community. The land is too unforgiving out here for that.”
Mekhi finally stood and pushed the chair back into its place at a nearby table. He ignored those who were still eavesdropping on their conversation. Beth pretended to wipe the counter with a rag.
“I answered your questions. I had nothing to do with the Kalluk girl going missing,” Mekhi said defensively. “I would appreciate you leaving my name out of those conversations. I don’t want that family in my personal business. Hear me?”
“Is that why no one will acknowledge that Walsh was here that summer? Are they afraid of the Kalluk family?”
“As far as I know, Jacob didn’t come into town. He kept to himself.”
“He had to eat.”
“Convenience store, I guess,” Mekhi answered with a shrug. “Are we done here?”
“Not yet, Mr. Hale. Is there any way for us to take a look at the cabin for ourselves?” Theo asked, not willing to leave Silverton without having explored the structure that kept a roof over Jacob’s head for two summers, if not the entire two years. “The more information we can take back to the supervisory special agent in charge, the less likely we’ll have to bother you again.”
Mekhi sneered at the not-so-veiled threat, but it was Sylvie who intervened to soften the warning.
“Please, Mr. Hale.” Sylvie shifted slightly in the booth, making it impossible for Mekhi to avoid her stare. “Eleven years is a long time, and you’re probably right about the cabin's condition. Still, we need to check it off our list. All we need are a few photos to document our findings, and then we can leave.”
Mekhi considered her request in silence. Theo noticed one of the men at the counter had turned his head at the mention of Atka. If Mekhi decided not to give them directions or help lead them to the cabin, Theo was betting the other man just might.
“Ed, you got a spare four-wheeler these folks could use for the rest of the morning?” Mekhi called out over his shoulder. “They’ll pay you.”
“Sure do,” Ed said before draining his coffee. “One hundred ought to suffice.”
“Hand me one of those napkins,” Mekhi directed with impatience, waving his hand toward the napkin dispenser. “And a pen.”
Theo grabbed his jacket. He always carried a small notebook and a tiny pencil. It was a lesson he had learned from his father. After all, the man hadn’t become the New York Police Commissioner without knowing a thing or two.
