Off the Record (An Avery Shaw Mystery Book 10)

by Amanda M. Lee

  Eliot clapped Jake’s shoulder. “I hear that. By the way, I think you’re going to be very interested.”

  “Here’s hoping.”

  29

  Twenty-Nine

  “Well, it’s not conclusive, but it’s definitely enough to haul him in for questioning.”

  Jake studied Eliot’s computer screen with something akin to grim detachment.

  “We thought you’d want to know,” Eliot supplied. “You might be able to contact other cities where this specific carnival group passed through. If you find unsolved homicides … well … that’s your part of the gig. We’ve done our part.”

  “Yeah.” Jake rubbed his chin as he shifted his eyes to me. “This wasn’t easy for you. I know that. But you did the right thing. We’ve been running the carnival workers, but it’s a difficult proposition. I’ve been trying to focus on Jess because he’s so fixated on you and that makes me nervous, but there’s not a lot out there.”

  Eliot and I exchanged a wary look. He didn’t know about the Jess discrepancy either. Who did he have running these searches? My guess was cadets, but it probably wasn’t wise to voice that opinion out loud.

  “Well, we have something on that, too,” I hedged.

  Eliot’s eyebrows twitched upward. “You’re going to give him that, too? I’m so proud.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t push it. I’m hanging on by a very tenuous thread here.”

  “There’s my whining girl.” Eliot ran his hand down the back of my head in a soothing motion and flicked his eyes to Jake. “How much digging did you do on Jess Davenport?”

  “Just a normal run so far. Why?”

  “Did you look at the photo?”

  “I … .” Jake paused, uncomfortable. “I didn’t see the run. Derrick did it.”

  Uh-oh. I sensed impending trouble. “Did Derrick ever meet Jess?”

  “Not to my knowledge.” Jake’s expression was hard to read. “I guess he might’ve during the interview process, but that initial round of questioning was spread out over multiple deputies because we had so many people to interview. Stop messing around. What do you have?”

  “Okay, here’s the thing … .” Eliot tapped his keyboard and pulled up a file. “This is Jess Davenport.”

  Jake narrowed his eyes as he studied the photograph. “That’s not the same guy I saw talking to Avery by the art fair the other day.”

  “No, this guy looks like the Elephant Man’s second cousin, once removed,” I said. “The Jess I know looks like Johnny Depp’s cousin … the nineteen-nineties Johnny, when he was still hot.”

  “If you mention how hot that guy is one more time we’re going to have issues,” Eliot warned.

  I wasn’t in the mood to be threatened. “Oh, really? You’ve got Blow-Up Midge working for you and you want to lecture me on drooling over the hot carnie?”

  “I … who is Midge?”

  “That’s what I was going to ask,” Jake added.

  Men! I didn’t even play with Barbie dolls and I knew who Midge was. “Barbie had a less successful best friend,” I explained. “Her name was Midge and she had dark hair. Now, she wasn’t an astronaut. She didn’t train ocean animals. She most certainly didn’t join a band.”

  “Are you going somewhere with this?” Jake looked weary as he rubbed his forehead.

  “Fawn is Midge because she has dark hair and she’s clearly not as successful as Barbie,” I explained.

  “Oh, well, that was certainly worth derailing the conversation,” Jake deadpanned.

  “I found it fascinating, Trouble.” Eliot smirked when Jake shot him a dirty look. “What? We’re moving in together, and she’s voluntarily sharing information. She can take only so much in one twenty-four hour period. If she needs to hear that she’s a genius I’m going to tell her that.”

  “You know me so well.” I returned Eliot’s smile with an easy one of my own. “That’s why you’re my favorite person.”

  “I know.” Eliot rubbed his nose against mine, causing Jake to mime vomiting.

  “You two really found each other, didn’t you?” Jake didn’t disguise his mocking, although I didn’t miss the fond look he mustered while glancing between us. “Things work out as they’re supposed to, I guess.”

  I was fairly certain the second part of the statement was meant to be thought and not said, so I turned the conversation back to the obvious. “Show Jake the photo of Jess Hamilton.”

  “Right.” Eliot clicked another window and pulled it up. “Jess Hamilton is here, and he’s listed as Don Hamilton’s nephew on the paperwork filed with the state, even though I can’t find corresponding paperwork in any state. Jess Davenport – and that’s how Avery said this other Jess identified himself – is not listed as Hamilton’s nephew and clearly doesn’t look like our Jess.”

  “Because he’s not … .”

  “If you use the word ‘hot’ it’s going to get mighty cold in bed tonight,” Eliot threatened.

  I snorted. “We both know that I can hold out longer than you, so that threat simply makes you look bad.”

  “Keep pushing me and we’ll find out,” Eliot shot back.

  “Okay, it’s not so cute any longer.” Jake studied the screen. “What are your theories about Jess?”

  “I think he’s really Jess Hamilton, but he used the other guy’s identity when you asked him his name because he’s hiding something,” Eliot replied. “I can’t find what he’s hiding when sorting through his records. I can’t find anything on Jess Hamilton for the most part.”

  “Do you think he’s unrelated to Don Hamilton?”

  Eliot held his hands palms up and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve had very limited dealings with him. I only talked to him the one time. It was at the other festival. You stopped me from talking to him about other things, if you remember?”

  “I do remember.” Jake rubbed the back of his neck before shifting to me. “What do you think?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “I’m not sure, but lay it on me.”

  “I think Jess Davenport is dead and that Jess Hamilton killed him,” I replied. “I think Jess Hamilton took over his identity because he didn’t have to change his first name and Jess Davenport already had an established role in the carnival.”

  Jake’s mouth dropped open. “I see you’ve given this some thought.”

  “I give a lot of things thought.”

  “Uh-huh. Why would Jess Hamilton kill Jess Davenport?”

  I shrugged. “To take over his identity? I can’t answer that without being in his head. We have no idea what Jess Hamilton is really hiding.”

  “Wouldn’t someone have noticed if Jess Davenport was missing?”

  That was a pretty good question. “Maybe they thought he left the carnival voluntarily. You don’t know. I simply know what I believe.”

  “Okay, well … .” Jake looked amused when he locked gazes with Eliot. “I think you let her watch too much television, man.”

  Eliot appeared equally as amused. “I’ve told her that she missed her calling. She should write books.”

  “Oh, that’s a good idea.” Jake visibly brightened. “That would keep her out of my hair, and the only danger she could find would be in her head. I like that idea.”

  I didn’t bother hiding my scowl. “Go ahead and mock me, but that’s what I believe.”

  “Well, I’ll be sure to mention your theory when I bring Don and Jess Hamilton in for questioning.”

  “And when will that be?”

  “Today,” Jake replied. “I’m calling Derrick and a few other deputies in and then we’ll move on both of them. On another point, you were zeroed in on Jess Hamilton as the guilty party first. I’m assuming you’ve let that go … other than the possibility of him killing Jess Davenport, I mean.”

  I shook my head. “I still think he’s involved with Tansy and Teyona’s deaths.”

  Jake scratched his cheek, his expression conflicted. “So … you think th
ey’re a team? Don and Jess, I mean.”

  I nodded. I didn’t care if Jake thought I was crazy. I knew what my gut was telling me. “I haven’t figured out the hows and whys, but I do think they’re both involved. Maybe one of them is the killer and the other covers for him. In that case I’d lean toward Don being the killer, given his history.”

  “Well, I appreciate you bringing this information to me.” Jake sounded sincere as he squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll give you an exclusive if the interrogations lead to anything. I promise.”

  “Thank you.” We stared at each other a moment. “You think I’m off, don’t you?”

  “I think you have great instincts, but what you’re telling me doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Jake replied. “I believe we’re missing part of the bigger picture, and when we get it, the puzzle will fit together perfectly.”

  “Okay. Well … I hope you’re right.”

  “You, too.”

  “Good luck.”

  “You, too.”

  I watched him go, shifting my head to rest my temple against Eliot’s shoulder. He seemed surprised by the gesture and rested his cheek against my forehead. “What are you thinking?”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s essentially over. Jake is picking up Don and Jess now. Whether they confess or not, they’ll be off the streets.”

  “And you’ll be safe.”

  “I was never in danger.”

  “I disagree, but I don’t feel like getting into it.” Eliot kissed my forehead before pulling away. “I have a few hours left here, but I promise to take you to that fancy seafood dinner I mentioned as soon as I’m done. I think you’ve earned it.”

  “Because I did what you wanted?”

  “Because you did the right thing,” Eliot clarified. “Avery, you’re not an investigator. You don’t solve crimes. You report on crimes throughout the process, including when they’ve been solved. This is a good thing for you and Jake.”

  I wanted to believe him, but things didn’t feel right. “I guess. It really doesn’t matter.” I shifted my eyes to the bustling street on the other side of the display window and then shook my head as if trying to displace myself from my reverie. “I need to track down Lexie and Carly. They’re still out there trying to spy. There’s no reason for them to keep doing it.”

  Eliot appeared legitimately sympathetic when he met my gaze. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to have your screwball chick fun.”

  I knew he meant well, but that sounded vaguely insulting. “You’re going to have to buy me two orders of crab legs for that one.”

  Eliot smirked. “Done. Are you going to be okay? You seem a little down.”

  “Off the record?”

  Eliot snorted, nodding as he arranged my hair. “Sure.”

  “I feel … tired. I think dinner and an early night in bed sound great. We’re spending the entire day moving tomorrow and I want to be rested for it.”

  “I can make all of that happen … and it doesn’t need to be off the record. I’ll gladly put it on the record, even though you think it makes you look meek and mild.”

  I mustered a smile because I knew he needed it. “I’ll handle Lexie and Carly and then bring back an afternoon snack. I was thinking nachos. How does that sound?”

  “I could eat some nachos.”

  “Good.” I rested my fingers on the door handle and then remembered something. “Make sure Fawn is gone by the time I get back. I can’t put up with her along with everything else.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Well, that at least was something.

  BY THE time I hit the midway area Carly and Lexie were long gone. I had no idea where they’d wandered to, but I figured it couldn’t be far. I trudged through the heavy crowd, staring at my feet and scuffing my shoes against the pavement as I ran the day’s developments through my head.

  Eliot was right. Telling Jake what we discovered was the correct way to go. It wasn’t my job to take down the bad guy – no matter how many Trixie Belden books I read as a kid. I wanted to be the hero in the story, but it wasn’t my place.

  After scanning the games area and coming up empty, I headed toward the food row. Carly was pregnant, so I doubted very much she would venture on any of the rides. She had a weak stomach under normal circumstances. Mixing carnival food with sharp corners was a sure trip to Vomitville.

  I was so lost in thought I didn’t notice the long shadow crossing in front of me until I almost ran into its owner. I widened my eyes when I recognized Stella. She didn’t look particularly happy to see me.

  “Oh, hey.”

  “Oh, hey?” Stella cocked an eyebrow. “Is that all you have to say after you tricked me the other day?”

  Oh, geez. More drama. That was the last thing I needed. “I didn’t trick you.” That was kind of a lie. “I didn’t trick you on purpose,” I instantly clarified. “I simply needed to talk to the owner. I wasn’t lying about that.”

  “You were lying about doing a fluff piece.”

  “Not true. I did write fluff pieces that day. I simply didn’t do one on the carnival.”

  “And you don’t consider that a lie?” Stella’s voice hopped an octave.

  Of course it would seem a lie to her. I heaved a sigh as I licked my lips and decided how to proceed. I genuinely liked Stella. I had a feeling she lived a rough life and didn’t want to add to her troubles. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I was trying to get answers on a murder. I thought your boss might be able to help.”

  “Don?” Stella looked legitimately amused. “Don weighs so much he can’t carry himself around. How is he going to kill someone and toss the body in a Dumpster?”

  That was a very good question. That’s when I realized I had a unique opportunity to uncover additional information while Jake accepted the accolades for bringing in Don and Jess. “While I have you here, I have a few questions,” I started.

  “Fluff questions?” Stella clearly wasn’t in the mood to play nice.

  “They can be off the record, if that makes you feel better,” I suggested, internally cringing than I even offered the possibility. I was so sick of that phrase. It seemed as if I used it so often this week I lost count. Still, I wanted the information.

  “Okay.” Stella crossed her arms over her chest, practically daring me to give her the hard sell. “What is it that you want to know?”

  If she thought that stance would turn me off, she had another thing coming. “You used to have a worker here named Jess Davenport. What happened to him?”

  Whatever question Stella expected, that wasn’t it. “Oh, Jess? I almost forgot we had another Jess. He was here for about two years before he left. I guess it was a little over a year ago that he took off, although it fuses together a bit in my brain.”

  “Where did he go?”

  Stella shrugged. “I have no idea. A lot of people find they can’t handle this gig for the long haul. Jess was one of them.”

  “Uh-huh. The thing is, he’s still listed as an employee for this carnival,” I explained. “He’s clearly not here. When was the last time you saw him?”

  “I … oh, it has to have been at least a year.” Stella tilted her head to the side as she searched her memory. “Yeah. It was right around the time Don switched over his scheduling duties and hired the new food delivery service. That was the same time he brought in his nephew.”

  And there it was. “Jess Hamilton is Don’s nephew. He’s the guy who was in the trailer the day you introduced us. Was Jess Davenport related in any way?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Why are you asking so many questions about Jess?”

  “I’m … curious.”

  Stella narrowed her eyes. She clearly didn’t believe me. “You don’t think Jess is a murderer, do you? Come on. You’ve seen the way that guy looks and how people react to him. He doesn’t have to be a murderer.”

  That made zero sense, but there was no reason to push Stella on the issue. “Have you ever noticed anyone in
the carnival have a bad reaction to black people?”

  I expected Stella to be offended by the question. Instead she merely shrugged. “You get all kinds. Some are racist. Some are sexist. Some are both and manage to hide it well. And some are overly attached to their hands and never wash before eating dinner.”

  I smirked. “I get that. What about Jess, though? Has he ever paid special attention to black women?”

  “What are you asking?” Stella shifted closer. “Do you think Jess killed that girl and threw her in the trash simply because she was black?”

  I wasn’t sure how to answer the question. “It’s a distinct possibility.”

  “Well, I think you’re fooling yourself,” Stella said. “I’ve never seen Jess pay too much attention to anyone, and I definitely don’t think he cares about skin color. He’s not that way.”

  “Oh, well, good to know.” I decided to let it go. Even if Stella knew something, she wasn’t likely to share the information with me. Besides that, Jake was probably pulling Don and Jess in for questioning at this very moment. Once Stella found out, she would likely be angry. She might even blame me. “Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I should probably let you get back to work now.”

  “Yeah, well, no problem.” Stella hesitated before increasing the distance between us. She looked as if she was searching for the right words and having trouble coming up with them. “You really are looking at the wrong person. Jess isn’t that way. He’d never hurt anyone. He’s … sweet. He’s even sweet to someone like me when there’s nothing in it for him.”

  “Okay.” I opted to take her words at face value rather than start an argument. “Have a good rest of your stay here in Macomb County.”

  “Yeah … um … I will.”

  I was relieved to get away from Stella, although I couldn’t determine why. She was so adamant that Jess wasn’t guilty it only increased my belief that he was. Stella meant to do the opposite, but only cemented my rather poor opinion of Jess in the process.

  I was distracted when I passed between two trailers, my mind working overtime as I tried to weigh scenarios and figure exactly how Jess and Don fit into each other’s orbits. I was so caught up in my own little world that it was already too late when I saw a familiar face leering at me from the open doorway of Don’s managerial trailer.