Devils Among Us (Devin Dushane Series Book 1)

by Chastity Harris

  “Bobby Bennett. I haven’t seen him in years, since we had some trouble with the renters he had at the time.” He reached up to rub his fingers over his mustache as he travelled back in his thoughts. “As I recall, they were trying to grow marijuana in the garage with a heat lamp.” He chuckled at the memory. “How is Bobby? Is he having trouble with his mama’s house again?”

  “He’s doing well, and there’s no trouble with the house, other than peeling paint. I’ll actually be staying there over the summer.” Devin’s lie was bordering on a whopper. Her father was anything but fine. Actually he’d refused her the house when she first asked. He’d been livid at the idea of her being anywhere near Fenton. Eventually relented to her persuasion, but at what cost? Would he disappear in a bottle again?

  “I was wounded in the line of duty, so I have some time off. I’ve never really been the type to sit around and knit, so I thought I’d come out to Fenton and look into my aunt’s murder. It’s a mystery that’s always plagued my family, and these types of cases are kind of my specialty.”

  Sheriff Bittner let out a low whistle. “The Laney Bennett murder. Boy, does that bring back some ugly memories. I was a young deputy when all that broke loose. It shook up the whole town, a bright young girl murdered so brutally like that. I thought we were going to have to bury Bobby and their mother right there with her, and the boyfriend…you’ve never seen such devastation.” He shook his head, trying clear the images from his mind, and gave her a hard look. “Are you sure that’s something you want to get into? It was the most gruesome crime we’ve seen in Fenton for a hundred years or better.”

  Devin resisted the urge to become defensive. “Oh, I’m sure. I’ve seen my share of gruesome and lived to tell the tale. Besides, this just feels like unfinished business hanging over our family. I have to at least give it a shot.”

  The sheriff considered her reply and rubbed a hand over his chin. “If she were my family, I’d want to know. Hell, the whole town would like to know. What can I do to help you, Detective?”

  “You can start by calling me Devin.” She cocked her head to the side and tried out her best imitation of a southern belle smile, and low and behold it must have actually worked, because the sheriff puffed up like a peacock.

  “Well…Miss Devin, you have the full weight of my office behind you. Where would you like to start?”

  There was definitely something to be said for southern hospitality. She’d expected the sheriff to be guarded and tight lipped. Instead he was practically rolling out the red carpet for her. Devin had hoped she could start off by interviewing the detectives that had been on the case and ease her way into more major requests, but she was emboldened by the sheriff’s welcome and decided to cut to the chase.

  “Could I take a look at the case files? No sense reinventing the wheel if all the groundwork has been done.” She held her breath waiting for his response. It was not a long wait. Sheriff Bittner bounced out of his chair as if he was spring loaded.

  “Absolutely! That would make the most sense.” He was already striding around his desk and heading for the door. “I’ll have my detectives pull the files for you. Of course, you won’t be able to take them out of the building, but you’re welcome to make copies, and the boys will be at your beck and call for anything you need.”

  This was better than she could have imagined. Full access to the case files, permission to copy those files and two detectives to assist her with whatever she needs? A girl could get used to this.

  The sheriff motioned to two detectives to join them. “Whitlock. Lentz. Over here.”

  Devin’s good mood vanished. Whitlock and Lentz were Mr. Smooth and his laughing hyena friend. Fat lot a good they were going to do her. Devin’s displeasure must have been evident on her face, because Mr. Smooth was shooting her a cocky grin and barely containing his laughter. The sheriff was so pleased with himself that he didn’t notice the exchange and plunged ahead into introductions.

  “Shane Whitlock.” That was Mr. Smooth. He then motioned to the hyena. “Adam Lentz, this is Detective Devin Dushane from the Richmond Police Department. She’s going to be staying in her family home here in Fenton this summer. While she’s visiting us, she’ll be looking into the cold case files on the Bennett murder.”

  If the sheriff noticed their reactions, he didn’t acknowledge them, he continued on without pause even when Shane’s eyebrows shot up and Adam rocked back on his heels. So it wasn’t commonplace to allow outsiders access. Interesting. Maybe she was more persuasive then she knew. “Now, I want you boys to pull all the files we have and set Miss Devin up in the conference room. If she needs anything at all, I expect you two to bend over backwards to accommodate her, understand? Whether she needs evidence lugged out of storage or just a glass of sweet tea, I expect you to extend every courtesy.”

  Mr. Smooth clearly did not like the assignment of being her lackey. He was clearly much more interested in a very non-professional relationship, not fetching boxes. Adam however had smoothed over his surprised expression and was smiling pleasantly at her. Maybe he would actually be helpful.

  “Now, Miss Devin, I have to head across the square for a meeting with the Mayor. We have a town council meeting this evening, you know. If these boys don’t get you everything you need, you just give me a holler y’hear?” He gave his two detectives a hard look. “We’ve been blessed with a slow week so no excuses. I’d better not hear her holler!” With that he scooped his wide-brimmed hat off the rack and headed toward the door, calling his good-bye to Marlene as he went.

  Devin and the two detectives were left standing rather awkwardly in the hallway. Adam broke the silence by extending his hand and chagrinned smile.

  “I don’t know if you caught all of that, ma’am, but I’m Adam Lentz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Devin gratefully shook his hand. “Thank you detective Lentz. Everyone has always said I blow through a room like a tornado, but I think Sheriff Bittner could give me a run for my money.”

  He chuckled. “Please call me Adam and this is my partner…”

  “Shane Whitlock, and you can call me anything you like.” Apparently Mr. Smooth had regained his confidence again, snatching her hand up into both of his and holding on just a little longer than necessary. Finishing it off with a wink.

  Oh for the love of Pete! Who does this guy think he is? Rhett Butler reincarnated? Devin tightened her jaw to keep any of these thoughts from escaping.

  “Well then, Detective Whitlock it is…or ‘Hey you.’” She wrenched her hand away and turned her back on him. “So, Adam, would you like to show me the way to the conference room?” She heard Shane mumbling about what he’d like to show her, but she cut him off abruptly with one of her acidic looks. Lesser men had broken under such scrutiny. Some criminals had been known to dissolve into tears. He at least had the decency to look mildly frightened.

  For such a major case Devin had expected more files. Everything on her aunt’s murder was contained in three cardboard storage boxes in the basement of the office, with the exception of the larger pieces of evidence stored in the warehouse next door. Devin had cases in Richmond contained in twenty boxes.

  Sign of the times, I guess. Forensic science didn’t really exist back then, other than fingerprinting. At least I won’t have to be in here all week with Mr. Smooth irritating the crap out of me. I’ve got to stop calling him that before it accidently slips out, what was his name again? Shawn? No, Shane. Doesn’t really match his accent if you ask me.

  Devin spent the morning reading and making notes with Shane or Adam popping in every five minutes. At least Adam only asked how she was doing and if she needed anything, after which he would disappear again. Shane, however, found it his job to pester her with questions and pick-up lines. Devin was beginning to think he was a glutton for punishment, just coming in to exchange razor edged jabs with her. Maybe he could be her new evil nemesis. Grinning at the thought, she tapped out a beat with her pen before she continu
ed writing, but her amusement was cut short, because—shock and surprise—he was hovering over her shoulder again.

  “So what do the Chinese symbols stand for? Let me guess, love and hope, am I right?” He was studying the two postage-stamp-sized symbols on the inside of her right wrist, where they would be a constant reminder.

  She didn’t look up from what she was writing. “It’s not Chinese. It’s Japanese Kenji.”

  Of course Shane was not deterred. “Ok, so what does it say in Japanese?”

  Once again Devin kept writing. “It says you need to learn Japanese.”

  “I’ll get right on that. There’s great demand in Fenton for Japanese translators. But maybe just for now you could enlighten me.”

  He couldn’t see the corners of her mouth twitch, so she sighed as if he was leaning on her last nerve. “It means redemption.”

  Not missing a beat, he plopped down in the seat next to her.

  “Are you sure? For all you know, it could be an advertisement for a dry cleaner.”

  That did it. He’d broken through her ice queen routine. She burst out laughing. He gave her the cheesy grin of a little boy that’s been caught doing something good instead of naughty for once.

  Once she wiped the tears out of her eyes she was able to answer him. “Trust me, it’s redemption. I have a lot of Japanese friends. So unless they’re all in on some universal practical joke, I think I’m pretty safe.”

  Smiling, she picked up her pen to start writing again when he stopped her. “Adam and I wanted to take you to lunch and introduce you to the local greasy fare. Are you hungry?”

  She was about to protest that it was too early to break for lunch when she glanced at the clock. She was shocked to see it was already twelve-thirty. She’d been going through these files for three hours.

  “Actually yeah, I’m starving. Bring on the grease.”

  The unlikely trio headed across the grass square in the center of town to the diner that sat diagonally across from the sheriff’s department. Devin felt like she was stepping into an old black and white TV show. This was a classic 50s diner. She was surprised the waitresses weren’t wearing roller skates. It was packed with the lunchtime rush, but they were lucky enough to snag a booth that hadn’t even been cleaned yet, so they didn’t have to wait for a table.

  “Why do I get the feeling that they make a mean milkshake here?” Devin asked as she began flipping through the menu.

  “Now that would be a stereotype… their root beer float is just as good as their milkshake.” Adam grinned at her as he leaned back in the booth. Not usually her type, but she had to admit he was easy on the eyes. He was lean and golden all over, with lines crinkling around his eyes from spending time out in the sun.

  Neither of the guys looked at the menu.

  “Already know what you want?” she asked.

  “The special.” They answered in unison.

  “Which is…?”

  “Bound to be something good,” Adam informed her.

  Their waitress arrived then in a pink polyester dress straight out of 1952. She seemed to already know Shane and Adam. What a shock.

  “Afternoon, Detectives.” She was a petite blonde of about sixteen, and she smiled shyly at Devin.

  “Afternoon, Casey. This is Detective Dushane from Richmond. Detective this is Sheriff’s Bittner’s granddaughter, Casey.”

  The girl turned slightly pink at Shane’s introduction. “Pleased to meet you Detective. What can I get you?”

  “You can call me Devin, and I’d love to know what this legendary special is.”

  She informed them that the daily special was hamburger steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and a heapin’ pile of lima beans. Devin wondered how many servings a heapin’ pile equaled. She declined the special and instead went with something called a confederate burger—a cheeseburger topped with salty country ham and an onion ring—accompanied by crinkle cut French fries for her daily dose of grease.

  “You want sweet tea with that, ma’am?” What was with these people and sweet tea?

  “Um, no, I think I’ll try the root beer float.” Apparently that was an acceptable substitution for tea, because Casey scribbled it down and disappeared behind the counter to place the order.

  “I would have thought a city gal like you would be a vegetarian. I’m impressed you’re not afraid of a little red meat.” She could tell Shane was looking for an opportunity to get a dig in. Let him keep looking.

  “Oh, I’m all for eating your vegetables, but if you’re not going to eat a steak every now and then, what’s the point of breathing?” She wasn’t able to keep a straight face, especially when Adam and Shane both cracked up.

  Shane gave her an enthusiastic “amen,” which with his heavy accent sounded more like three syllables than two “ay-mi-en.”

  “All right what is with the accent? Are you from the Deep South, or are you just doing a 24/7 impression of Mathew McConaughey?” It was a rude question, but it was exactly the kind of bluntness Devin was known for. Plus, she felt like she could get away with it with her new nemesis.

  “Why? Do you like it?” Shane wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  “I’m not sure yet. It’s kind of like mold; it grows on you.”

  “I’ll tell you if we get to ask you something.” The plotting look was back, and Devin took the bait.

  “What, a little truth or dare over lunch?” She leaned back in the booth and laid her arm up on the seat back but never broke eye contact. Most people were unnerved when she kept cool, constant eye contact, but Shane didn’t seem to mind.

  “Ooh, can we skip right to the dare part?” Shane asked with enthusiasm.

  “No.”

  “Darn!” He crumpled like a flattened balloon.

  “But I will give you an answer.” He brightened considerably and started pondering what question to go with.

  “Uh-uh! First the accent, why do you have three times the accent of anyone else in town?”

  “That’s easy. I grew up in Pulaski down near the state line. But I have been told I look a great deal like a certain actor from Texas.” He winked one of his twinkling blue eyes at her, which was about the only similarity he had with said actor. His short gelled hair was darker than hers.

  “Wow! I didn’t know the horse that played Mr. Ed was from Texas!” She kept her expression completely innocent. Shane glared at her, and Adam was still snickering when their food arrived moments later.

  “So how did you end up here instead of Pulaski?”

  “No, no. It’s our turn for a question.” He looked affronted that she would try to cheat.

  “Technically this is just the second part to the first question. Plus it’s my game, so my rules. How did you end up here?” She popped a French fry in her mouth before he could say anything else.

  “My Dad was from here originally, and my grandparents and aunt and still live here, so after college I came here to help them out. I’ve stayed pretty much ever since then.”

  She let the “pretty much” part slide for another time and took a sip of her float. “You weren’t kidding! This really is good!” She took another long pull. “How about you Adam are you a local or a transplant?”

  Adam waved his fork in the air indecisively. “A little of both, actually. I needed an extra credit in college that required me to do a genealogy research project, which led me to Fenton. My family ties here are very old. I liked the town so much, I took a job at the courthouse after graduation and moved here.”

  “Fair enough, so what’s your all’s question?”

  Shane didn’t even hesitate. “Why are you looking into the Bennett murder? Are you writing a book?” He had turned very serious. Even Adam had grown sober and rested his elbows on the table, waiting for her response. Ahh, they think I’m writing a book about the murder, and they’re concerned I’m going to trash their small-town law enforcement.

  She had to smile at their dire faces. “No, I’m not writing a book, and I’m not l
ooking for a TV or movie deal, either. They visibly relaxed. “I’m here because my father is Bobby Bennett, and Laney Bennett was his sister and my aunt.”

  She didn’t think it was possible for Shane to be speechless, but it looked like that was exactly the case.

  Adam looked alarmed. “Does the sheriff know that? It could be a serious conflict of interest for a family member to look through those files!”

  Devin rolled her eyes at him. “Of course he knows! That’s why he gave me access. I’m trying to bring closure to the family, not tarnish Fenton’s precious reputation. Relax!” She had pegged Adam as a strait-laced, by the books kind of guy. Boy, was I dead on! “The case has been cold for years. Why not let me have a crack it?”

  Shane was studying her hard, still looking serious. “Your family has been living in the shadow of that tragedy all this time.”

  She was surprised at the intuitiveness of his statement. “Yes I…” She corrected herself. “We have. Maybe I can bring us out into the sunlight.”

  She grinned to lighten the mood. “My turn—where is there a decent gym in Fenton?”

  Adam laughed as he began chewing on a toothpick. “Well it depends on what you’re looking for. There’s one of those all women’s circuit training gyms in the shopping center, but somehow I just can’t see you in there.” Shane snorted. “Then there’s a weight-lifting gym in the basement of the discount flooring store on Church Street. They’ve got a couple treadmills and stair climbers, but it’s mostly free weights.”

  “Do they have a punching bag?”

  He might have pegged her as not being the step aerobics type, but by the look on his face, he hadn’t expected this question.

  “Uh, yeah actually, I think they do.”

  “Perfect. Okay, what’s your next question?” By now she was polishing off her float, thinking how much better it would have been with diet soda.

  This time Adam jumped in with a question. “Why isn’t your name Bennett?”