“We all know Steel didn’t kill Dixie Gilbert,” Lucky said. He was standing by the bar with Harper in front of him. His arms were around her shoulders, keeping her against his chest. “What evidence do they have that they think it’s him?”
Keys made a face. “That’s where things get a little complicated.” His eyes shot to the teens. Bree’s wheelchair was off to the side. Both she and Aaron were squeezed onto the couch next to Ollie.
“Just say it, Uncle Keys,” Bree said with a note of impatience. “There’s nothing you could say that would make us believe Uncle Steel killed Ollie’s bio mom.”
Still, Keys checked with Lucky before he continued. “Dixie Gilbert wasn’t just shot in the head. It was a long-range shot from a sniper rifle. They’re still waiting on ballistics, but based on preliminary findings, the angle and the distance make the possible suspects a very narrow list.”
“Is Fang on that list?” Cage asked.
Keys shook his head. “Even if he could have taken that shot, he didn’t. He was standing next to Dixie in the motel room when she was killed. He’s the one person they’re sure didn’t kill her.”
Someone to Pumpkin’s left let out a low curse.
“Steel was a sniper,” Papaw stated plainly.
Keys glanced at him and then Angel, a former Army sniper. “They estimate the shot was taken from a cell tower seven hundred and fifty meters away.”
Angel cursed, her hands balling into fists. “Show me an aerial view of the motel.”
Keys pulled a tablet from his bag. After hitting a few buttons, he passed it to her. “It was a seedy, backwoods motel, Angel. There’s literally nothing else around.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Angel muttered as she walked away, studying the satellite footage.
Papaw, who had trained Steel in sniper school, crossed his arms over his chest. “Seven-fifty is impressive but not exceptional. There are plenty who could take that shot.”
“And how many of those people had an altercation with the victim the afternoon before her murder?” Keys asked Papaw.
“Dixie Gilbert was the one who came tomystore,” Jenna argued. “We didn’t seek her out.”
Keys did not look happy to be the one to tell Jenna, “When Steel escorted her from the store, a witness states that he heard Steel tell Dixie that if she comes near you or Ollie again, he would kill her.”
“Who’s the witness?” Lucky demanded.
“I don’t recognize the name, but I’m not a local like you and Bear,” Keys said with a shake of his head. He was growing his hair out and it hung around his ears at the movement. “Timothy Murphy?”
A snort sounded and everyone in the room looked to Grumpy. The man was standing at the end of the bar, leaning on his elbow.
“What?” Keys asked as Lucky demanded, “Do you know the name?”
“I do, but either it’s a major coincidence or someone is fucking with us,” Grumpy stated. “More specifically, Steel.” When no one saidanything, Grumpy straightened. “Timothy Murphy is one of the first recorded American snipers during the Revolutionary War. So, like I said, either a huge coincidence or the name’s a fucked-up alias.” Realizing what he’d said, he added towards the teens, “Sorry.”
No one looked happy at this idea. Lucky turned to Keys. “Is there a town resident or a family member who might be here for the festival named Timothy Murphy?”
“Not that I could find,” Keys said, “but I’m still looking. It’s not as easy as a Google search.”
Jenna’s phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket. “It’s Bulldog,” she stated before answering. “Hold on, let me put you on speaker.” She hit a button and then put her phone in the center of the coffee table. Everyone crowded closer to hear better. “How is he, Bulldog?”
“Pissed,” was the gruff answer. “Agent Shit-for-Brains is taking him back to the holding cells now. Toni is trying to get ahold of the prosecuting attorney. Since the DEA is federal, it’s not as easy as taking a trip to the courthouse.”
“Am I allowed to visit, bring him things?” Jenna asked.
Bulldog’s voice softened, “Honey, you can bring him anything you want. Carlos would never turnyouaway.”
Jenna nodded, though Bulldog couldn’t see it. “I’ll pack us a bag and be there soon. I also need to find coverage for my duties tomorrow.”
Others started to argue, but Bulldog’s voice through the speaker cut them off. “Jenna, Steel’s already told me to tell you that, under no circumstances, are you coming down here to stay. He will never turn you away for a visit, but you’re not spending the night.”
Jenna scowled at the device. “Well, you can tell him to get bent. I’m going and you can’t stop me. I am not leaving my husband to stay in a jail cell alone for the weekend. The festival will survive without me.”
