The Glue Guy: The Zoo Crew Series Book 4

by Dustin Stevens

  There was no point though. Sharp already no doubt knew all that.

  “Until formal charges are made, I’m not allowed to release that to the public,” Sharp said. “I’m only letting you see it now out of professional courtesy.”

  Drake turned his attention back to the folder. Lowered his face to ensure Sharp wouldn’t see the smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

  “It says here that gasoline was used as an accelerant,” Drake said.

  Waited for a response that didn’t come.

  “But that a second substance was also present. Liquefied natural gas?”

  Again Sharp stared back at him. Said nothing.

  “Can you explain that?” Drake asked. Made sure his features relayed it was a genuine question.

  A long moment passed. Tension that rivaled anything from the morning meeting oozed from Sharp, matched only by an obvious disdain for the people before him.

  “Until charges are filed, just letting you see that file is a professional courtesy,” Sharp repeated.

  Drake nodded. Realized the answer was much what he had expected.

  Poe choosing to withhold charges was a blessing and a curse. Something the other side had clearly discussed ahead of time.

  Not bothering to ask any further questions, Drake slowed down. Scanned the document again. Made as many mental notes as he could. Intended to go straight back to the truck and write down everything he remembered.

  Vaguely aware that two people were openly staring at him, Drake read the document over twice. Lingered on any buzzwords an extra moment. Made sure they were committed to memory.

  As best he could tell, a significant amount of gasoline had been spread over the kitchen and living areas in the middle of the house. The fire had started there as well. After that it had spread quickly to either wing, aided by the liquefied gas.

  Whatever that was.

  The usage of two types of fuel struck Drake as odd.

  Fortunately for him, he had a firefighter riding shotgun all the way back to Missoula.

  “Okay,” Drake said. Snapped the folder shut. Tossed it back on the desk. “Thanks for your time.”

  Sharp remained poised behind the desk. Cocked an eyebrow down at the folder. “Sure thing.”

  He watched as Drake and Kade both rose. Made it as far as the door.

  “Paul Taggert might not be a friend, but he’s definitely a colleague,” he said. “And he’s a damned good detective.”

  Drake waited until Sharp was done. Didn’t bother to look back.

  That was what the animosity was all about.

  He had definitely hit a nerve that morning.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Hal.

  A man most people in Missoula had never met.

  All revered.

  Spoke of in glowing tones. Knew instantly who, or rather what, one was referring to when the name was mentioned.

  Nobody in the Crew had ever met the man. He was long passed before any of them came of age. Drake came the closest, having met his brother at a breakfast meeting six months before.

  Didn’t mean all four of them weren’t intimately familiar with his legacy.

  Five minutes before six Drake eased his truck off of Brooks Street. Pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. Came to a stop in front of a small shop sandwiched between a hardware store and a book store.

  Despite the first streaks of daylight still being forty-five minutes away, a smattering of cars was already present. All waiting for the doors to open at six sharp.

  A white plastic sign was stretched along the awning above the sidewalk running the length of the mall. Announced the place to be Hal’s. Had a small stack of pancakes beside the name, steam rising from them.

  Never a greater understatement had there been.

  “Now this is more like it,” Ajax said. Held his hands out to the vents blowing warm air into the truck. Rubbed his palms together.

  Drake smirked. Said nothing.

  It wasn’t completely unheard of for the Crew to bypass an outdoor activity. Far from usual though.

  A confluence of factors had come together to bring the decision about on this particular morning. The big one was the situation with Riggins hanging over Drake and now Kade’s heads. They had to be on the road before too long, set to meet with Wylie Dern.

  Also playing a part was the ski lift still being down at Snow Plaza. Word was it would be operational by Sunday, but nobody was holding their breath.

  Finally was the factor that Drake wasn’t exactly in the sporting mood. The situation with Riggins seemed to be growing worse with each passing hour. Settled heavy on his mind. Became a sore that was threatening to fester.

  He hadn’t said anything when the topic of an outing had first been broached the night before. Had not objected when Sage suggested they meet for breakfast and call it good.

  One minute before the hour her Honda pulled into the spot beside them. On most days Kade drove the siblings from the apartment they shared together. Used his truck to get them up mountainsides or through state parks.

  Today it was left to the Honda, knowing the two sides would be trading passengers once the meal was complete.

  All four people remained in their cars an extra ninety seconds until a girl with her hair in a bun and a pencil behind her ear appeared at the front window. Unlocked the door. Flipped the sign from closed to open.

  At once they all spilled out, joined by a dozen others grouped as ones and twos.

  “Morning,” Sage said. Walked around the front of her car. Was dressed in sweats, her hair in a ponytail.

  “Sorry about the extra early wakeup,” Drake said. “I know you couldn’t have been in bed more than four or five hours when the alarm went off.”

  “Yeah, well, I haven’t been to bed at all and I’m still here,” Ajax said behind him. No small amount of mocking in his tone.

  “Hal’s has a way of doing that,” Kade said. Closed his car door. Looked to be in the worst shape of everybody.

  Reaching the door first, Drake pulled it open. Waited for the Crew to pass through. Paused as a handful of others did as well, nodding their thanks as they entered.

  A wave of aromas hit the group head-on upon entry. Salty bacon. Toasted waffles. Hot coffee.

  Many of the people from the parking lot went straight to the front counter. Took their seats. Had their usual breakfasts before them within seconds.

  Much less frequent visitors, the Crew chose the corner booth. Drake and Sage on one side. Ajax and Kade across from them.

  Nobody said anything until the young girl appeared. Was tasked with bringing back coffee for both the Keuhl’s. Tea for Drake. Chocolate milk for Ajax.

  “Chocolate milk?” Drake asked. Arched an eyebrow. Watched as another pair of patrons passed through the door.

  “Hey, did I bag on you for ordering tea?” Ajax said. Pulled his hat from his head. Sent braids of hair cascading down around his face.

  “No, but I always order tea,” Drake said. “I’ve seen you drink chocolate milk twice ever.”

  “Well, mom,” Ajax replied, “if you were listening, you heard me say I haven’t been to bed.”

  He left it that. Drake knew what he meant.

  One swig of coffee and his friend would be bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day.

  “But on to more important matters,” Ajax said. Twisted to face Kade. “Should I even speculate as to what has you looking like hell warmed over this morning? An evening spent at Blue’s or Despo’s?”

  Kade made a sour expression. Glared over at him. “Go to hell.”

  “Which is where all my friends will be,” Ajax countered, “but that still doesn’t answer my question.”

  The glower settled deeper on Kade’s features. Stayed there as the waitress appeared and unloaded their drinks. Remained as Drake and Sage both stirred sugar into theirs.

  “Well, mom,” Kade said. “I’ve got a head cold. Nothing more.”

  Drake felt
a corner of his mouth rise in a smile.

  Beside him Sage did the same.

  “And does this head cold you seemed to have picked up have a name?” Drake asked. Watched as Ajax and Sage both grinned. Made no attempt to hide them.

  This time the glare was aimed in his direction.

  “Butte, America,” Kade said. Made sure no small amount of disdain was packed into the words. “Helping your ass I might add.”

  Drake highly doubted that was the sole source of Kade’s current predicament, but opted not to press it. Raised his hands by his side in a sign for mercy.

  “Okay, just asking. Been a while since you regaled us with any stories of cosmopolitan ladies you’ve come across downtown.”

  “And like three days since you’ve mentioned a single trailer park skank,” Ajax added.

  Only added to the grins on Sage and Drake’s face.

  “I think I’m already missing cross country skiing,” Kade said. “Nice and quiet out there.”

  All three burst into laughter. Remembered all too well his affection for the sport just four days before.

  “Okay,” Sage said. Idly stirred a spoon through her coffee. “Since Mr. Grumpus over there doesn’t seem up to his usual friendly banter, on to safer topics. How is everything in Butte going?”

  Just hearing the question, Drake winced. Waved a hand in front of him.

  “That one’s not safe either. Keep going.”

  “Oh-kay,” Sage said. Let it be known she didn’t quite know what to make of the response. “What about...”

  “Emily,” Ajax interjected. Leaned forward. Brought a cascade of hair down around his face. “We still haven’t heard how dinner went the other night.”

  Drake felt heat rise to his cheeks. Could sense Sage tense up just a tiny bit beside him.

  “Yeah,” Kade said, his voice somewhat pinched. “With all this going on with the fire, you completely skated by on that one.”

  Rising in his seat, Drake looked around. Tried to flag down the waitress.

  “Oh no,” Ajax said. Reached out a hand. Motioned for Drake to lower himself back into his chair. “Your damn egg white omelet can wait. We’ve been patient three days. How’d it go?”

  Drake sank back in his seat. Glanced to each of them.

  Noticed all were staring intently back.

  “You guys really need to get out more.”

  “It’s winter in Montana,” Sage said. “Humor us.”

  Again Drake looked around for a sign of help that wasn’t there. “You also know I saw her last week. This wasn’t that big a deal.”

  “Not that big a—“ Ajax started. Cut himself short. Pushed out a loud breath. “The first one wasn’t that big a deal. You guys caught up. This time she needed refuge from her parents. Decided to call you, her big knight in shining armor, to come give her relief?”

  A look of confusion passed over Drake’s face. “Give her relief? What am I, a damn Alka Seltzer?”

  Sage and Kade both smirked. The look of exasperation grew on Ajax’s face.

  “And knight in shining armor? Really? Tell me you don’t put this stuff in your video games.”

  “Tell me you don’t avoid questions this badly as a lawyer,” Ajax snapped. Earned a pair of chuckles from the onlookers.

  Elicited one from Drake as well.

  “Okay,” Drake said. “But there isn’t much to tell. We went to the Double Front. Got some food. Talked a bit.”

  “And that was it?” Ajax said.

  “That was it,” Drake confirmed. “Do remember, I was called away by a crying client in the middle of it.”

  “Ahh,” Kade said. “So it was stopped before things got interesting. Makes sense.”

  At this Drake rolled his eyes. Spotted the waitress at the end of the aisle.

  Hoped with everything he had that she was headed their way.

  “No,” he said. Shook his head. “Things had already started to get interesting at that point. Wyatt calling was actually a blessing. Got me off the hook in a big way.”

  The same bit of mischief remained on Kade’s face. The same bit of exasperation still sat on Ajax’s features. To his left Sage wore a look that was completely indecipherable.

  “I can’t be certain, but I’m pretty sure she asked me to come to D.C.”

  Drake left it there. Was sure the group would collectively pounce on it. Rip it to shreds. Find the whole thing as utterly crazy as he had.

  To his surprise, nobody said a word.

  The next person that spoke at all was the waitress finally arriving to ask if they were ready to order.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Quiet.

  Miles and miles of it.

  Punctuated only by the occasional sound of Kade sniffling.

  Deep in thought, Drake tried to formulate all that laid ahead for the day. How to best approach Wylie Dern. How that might affect his interaction later with Sharon Stump.

  If at any point Millie Hubble would get around to calling him back.

  The meeting with Sharp yesterday had been just a half step above pointless. It bore to reason that trying to meet with Taggert or Poe again would be the same.

  Ditto for the medical examiner.

  It was an odd place for people like he and Kade to find themselves in. Until formal charges were brought, they were left with precious little to do. They could talk to witnesses. Try to investigate.

  Receive absolutely zero cooperation or input from official sources.

  At the same time, not having charges brought wasn’t a bad thing. It signified that at least the state recognized there wasn’t enough to mount a case.

  The truly backward part of the entire situation, Drake couldn’t help thinking, was that they got to keep Tyce Riggins behind bars in the meantime.

  “Were you serious with all that this morning?” Kade asked.

  The question shook Drake from his thoughts. Caused him to glance over. To see Kade’s profile silhouetted against the grey sky outside.

  “All what?”

  Kade kept his attention aimed forward. Refolded a wad of tissue in his hands. Dabbed at his nose with it.

  “Moving to D.C. and everything.”

  Drake slowed the truck as the first exit on the outskirts of Butte approached. Pushed onto the ramp. Made a right at the top of it.

  “I never said I was moving to D.C.,” Drake said. “I’m not even entirely sure she was asking that.”

  Ahead a small restaurant came into view on the left. Built from distressed wood, Drake got the impression at first glance it was made to look like an old time cabin. Realized upon rolling past that it was in fact an old time cabin. Had been repurposed in recent years.

  Neither he nor Kade had ever been to the place. Had ever even heard of it. Were assured by Wylie Dern on the phone that it was the place in town all the locals went.

  Whether or not that was a good thing was yet to be determined.

  “You’ve always had pretty good instincts,” Kade said. “And Emily’s never been real subtle.”

  There was more than ample proof over the years to show what Emily and Kade thought of one another. Just remembering some of the cracks that had been made in either direction brought a smile to Drake’s face.

  “I can’t say the reaction you all gave wasn’t a little surprising,” Drake said. Waited for a car to pass in the opposite direction. Turned into the parking lot of frozen mud.

  Kade ignored the comment.

  “You thinking on doing it?”

  “Until you guys pressed me I’d completely forgotten she even mentioned it,” Drake admitted. Parked the truck. Killed the ignition.

  “Like I said,” Kade said. Turned and looked at Drake once more. “Good instincts.”

  Without waiting for further explanation Drake stepped out from the truck. Didn’t bother bringing his bag along. Figured Dern had chosen it in no small part because it was the kind of place he wouldn’t be free to take notes.

  While not the same
as law enforcement, Drake was fast discovering that being seen talking to a lawyer carried just as much of a stigma.

  Minutes before eight, the parking lot was full. Nearly every vehicle was a truck or off-road vehicle of some sort, many stained with sprays of mud rising from the rear tires. A few even carried fresh animal carcasses in the back.

  Above the morning sun was just beginning to climb in the eastern sky, the same thick cloud cover still blanketing the region.

  The smell of grease hung in the air.

  Feeling supremely grateful to have already eaten, Drake stepped up onto the porch running the length of the place. Felt the boards underfoot quiver a bit with each step. Heard conversation and laughter spill through the front windows.

  “Is this breakfast or happy hour?” Kade asked. Paused just outside the front door.

  “Your kind of place, right?” Drake responded. Forced a smile.

  “Right,” Kade said.

  The smell that had hung in the air outside engulfed them in a wave as they stepped in, the air so thick with fried food a haze hung down from the ceiling.

  The clientele inside matched the automobiles in the parking lot as several people turned to openly stare at the newcomers. Many were dressed in camouflage gear, fresh from the field. Looked like they might soon be returning. Others wore fleece and flannel.

  Facial hair seemed to be an unwritten prerequisite.

  “Any idea who we’re looking for?” Kade asked. Set his jaw. Seemed to be acutely aware that he was the only Native American in the room.

  “The guy waving in the back would be my guess,” Drake said. Pretended not to notice the burning stares of half the room. Cut a path through them towards the small round table in the corner.

  “Wylie?” Drake asked as he approached. Stuck out his hand.

  Had the shake returned by a thick man that barely rose to his chin. Even inside he wore a heavy canvas coat. Had hair that was just starting a trek to grey. A layer of facial hair of the same color.

  “Drake Bell.” Motioned beside him. “Kade Keuhl. Thanks for meeting with us.”

  Drake slid around to the far side of the table. Put himself in the corner. Allowed Kade to sit with his back to the room.

  Knew it was probably better that way.