Deep Extraction

by DiAnn Mills

  Max smiled. “Thank you, sir. Marshal Jeffers, Mr. Lawd is ready to talk.”

  “Whoa. Do I need my attorney?” Lawd said.

  Cole took his cue. They needed answers, not a suspect who lawyered up. “Sir, not unless you have something to hide or are afraid for your life.”

  He pressed his lips together. “Nothing to hide or fear to the best of my knowledge.”

  Cole slid a silent invitation to Tori for her to take over. “Thank you, sir. I really appreciate your taking the time with us. How did you manage to get on the site? When we arrived, the security guard wanted everything but our blood types.”

  He shrugged. “A roughneck let me slip him a hundred-dollar bill.”

  “Name? The guy must have had pull.”

  “Didn’t ask.”

  “Would you mind describing him?”

  Lawd snorted. “Dirty. Hard hat. Gloves. Needed a shower. Guess that fits all of them.”

  Cole ignored his last comment and let Tori keep going.

  “What was the purpose of your visit?” she said.

  “To see what happened when the public wasn’t looking.”

  “You accused Nathan Moore of being responsible for your son’s death and asked questions about his character. What was the reason?”

  Lawd snorted. “That story is a lie. I was upset with my job and thought I’d check out the possibilities of working closer to home. Wanted to see if the owner was a jerk.”

  “So you requested information about the way Moore conducted business.”

  “Right. I heard he paid good benefits. Must not have been enough because he’s dead and so is another guy.”

  Tori pressed her lips together hard, and Cole took it as a sign she wanted to back off. “Not many nurses on an oil rig.”

  “A smart man keeps his options open.”

  “Where were you on March 30, 2:50 a.m., when the drill site was bombed?”

  “With a friend.”

  “Name?”

  “Can’t remember right now. But when I do, I’ll contact you. Strange thing about law enforcement types. You intimidate a man until he can’t think.”

  Cole hated the thought of Lawd shutting down. “Do you own a motorcycle?”

  “Too dangerous. I’ve seen enough twisted bodies when they’re put down.”

  “What about a rifle, specifically an M110?”

  “If you’re asking if I own one, the answer’s no. A tragedy in the making. Don’t hunt either. You’ll find no weapons registered to me.”

  But he might have one in his possession. “Where were you at approximately one o’clock this afternoon?”

  “In the middle of an appendectomy on a twelve-year-old boy. Saved his life if you’re interested. Are we finished?”

  “Just about, sir.”

  “That rig was bombed and you haven’t made your arrest quota. According to the latest news, a man was shot there today and another man killed. I suggest you look elsewhere for a bomber and killer instead of bothering law-’biding citizens.”

  “You’re a smart man. But none of us said a thing about the drill site bombing or Nathan Moore’s death,” Cole said. “Did you pull the trigger or hit the right keystroke to end Moore’s life?”

  Lawd glanced at his feet before responding. “I have no reason to commit any crimes. I’m in the medical field, which means I do my best to save lives, not take them. And for the record, this little Q and A is concluded without my lawyer.” He opened the door, stepped in, and latched it behind him.

  Cole rapped on the door. “Mr. Lawd, I suggest contacting your lawyer soon because we’re not finished. We’ll be in contact.”

  ALBERT FLIPPED THROUGH THE CHANNELS on the TV in Erik’s room. The same old programming, even with the addition of cable. Erik’s food grew cold while his son slept. Tonight he’d pureed chicken noodle soup, but it would need to be rewarmed when his son wakened.

  His phone rang and he checked the sender. Franc. Good. He could use a diversion. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  “The FBI just paid me a visit.”

  Albert glanced to make sure Erik still slept. “Why?”

  “A man at the rig was shot and killed today. The media is calling it a sniper. Since I’d done some snooping around, they suspected me.”

  “You were working, right?”

  “Yeah. But I didn’t like them poking in my business. They asked questions about Nathan. Wanted to know about my interest in him and the business.”

  Albert closed his eyes to focus on the conversation. “What did you tell them?”

  “Made up a story. A pathetic one.”

  “Your alibi has you covered for the bombing and Nathan’s death.”

  “Albert, I agreed to help you dig up dirt about Nathan, to help you get the money for Erik’s care, but this has gone far enough. The man’s dead. There’s nothing more you or I can do.”

  “But someone is destroying Erik’s legacy.”

  “Putting my life on the line is not worth 10 percent of the money you thought Nathan would pay. Especially when there is no money, and people are getting killed.”

  Franc wanted out, and Albert couldn’t blame him. “I’m not giving up.”

  “Then you’ll have to do it without me. I’m your friend, but I’m not ending up on a cold slab.”

  Albert sighed. “All right. I understand.”

  He ended the call and stared at Erik. Nathan had deadly enemies, and this trouble at Moore Oil & Gas had bit a chunk off of the money owed Erik.

  AFTER SEVEN THAT EVENING, Tori paced the floor of her apartment. Texting Sally hadn’t done a bit of good, and contacting Lance or Jack seemed unethical considering their ages. But doing nothing went against everything she valued about resolving conflict. Her and Sally’s relationship, their sisterhood, needed to be restored. From past experiences, Tori knew the longer Sally delayed in talking through a disagreement, the more the problem would fester. Not since their college days had Tori seen Sally so angry. Back then it was about accepting Nathan’s marriage proposal three months after she and Erik had broken up. When Tori questioned the decision, Sally claimed jealousy, which had never been the case. Then and now, Tori’s attempts to protect her friend had exploded in her face.

  Staring at her phone and willing it to ring made the urgency worse. Her other option played out in her mind. Showing up at Sally’s front door. If Tori confronted her face-to-face, would that invite disaster? Certainly Sally had changed her method of dealing with controversy since being a twenty-year-old.

  Her doorbell rang before she could pick an option. A huge part of her wanted the person to be Sally, but a glance through the peephole showed Cole outside her door. Whatever did he want? He had a charm that was undeniably a distraction, and right now she needed wisdom about how to deal with her best friend, not an invitation to explore her feelings for an irresistible man. When he knocked again, she opened it.

  “You didn’t get enough of me today?” That might not have been the best opener.

  He grinned, beautiful white teeth. “Of course not. Can I come in?”

  She hesitated. He could have a new development, one that shouldn’t be shared in the hallway of her apartment building. “I suppose so.”

  “What about my delightful personality is most irresistible?”

  Couldn’t help the giggle escaping her lips. “Umm. Probably your ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”

  “Good one.” He glanced around her apartment. “Looks like you.”

  “How so?”

  “A light-colored sofa. Gold and green pillows that match your eyes, and a coffee table on wheels, like a wagon. Shows you’re creative.”

  Warmth crawled up her neck and settled in her cheeks. Great. He’d gloat over it. “What brings you here?”

  “I have a request.”

  “Hope it’s easy ’cause the day has me brain-dead.”

  He sobered. “Thought we could take a ride over to Sally’s. See if we can talk her dow
n off the ledge.”

  “Have you been reading my mind?”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She picked up her purse and cell phone. “I’ll drive.”

  “I expected no less. The little red Charger it is.”

  On the way, they chatted about the weather and Max’s and Cole’s teen years making a buck at a drill site. Tori found it easy to banter with him, and driving gave her the sense of control she desperately craved.

  “You’ve known Sally since college days?” he said.

  “We roomed together. That’s when she met Nathan.”

  “Ever any indication of him cheating on her?”

  She shook her head. “A whirlwind relationship, but he always appeared devoted to her and the boys. Of course, now we know the truth. What about your friendship with him?”

  “I thought good. Never saw it coming. He was the master of deceit. I feel like a fool, not even suspecting his . . . choices.”

  The situation weighed on her heart like a huge boulder. “How do we convince Sally of our sincerity? Because of our jobs, she’s convinced we deceived her.”

  “Truthfully, Tori, I feel stupid that I didn’t see it.”

  Misery was supposed to love company, but knowing Nathan had fooled so many people didn’t make her feel any better. “Me too. I realize sometimes men with power and money look for the next conquest, but I never thought it applied to Nathan.”

  “Our conversations were about business, Sally, and the boys.” He paused. “I hadn’t told you or Max this, but Nathan asked if I’d be interested in dating Anita. Said she was a fine woman, and we were well suited for each other.”

  “Jerk. All the while, he was . . .”

  “Covering his tracks.”

  “Sounds better than what I was thinking. If he really didn’t care for Anita and she was aware of it, then she has motive. But if Sally found out, she could have arranged it.” Tori’s stomach lurched with her own words.

  “I want to think Sally is too obvious a suspect.”

  “Then there’s Lawd. He’s hiding something. Call it woman’s intuition. Plus he had no reason to be on the rig.”

  “We’ll see what the surveillance team finds. He’s shady, but that doesn’t pin murder on him.”

  Soon afterward, Tori and Cole stood on the Moores’ front porch, waiting for Sally to open the door. Lance answered it. He stiffened at the sight of them and started to slam it, but Cole caught it with the toe of his boot. “Hold on. We aren’t the bad guys.”

  “How do you figure? Who else would have gone to the media?” Lance set his jaw. “The news is killing Mom and Jack.”

  “I have no idea who leaked this. But Tori and I are your friends, and right now all of you need a support team. Someone bombed your dad’s drill site, threatened him, and followed through with murder. Today another man was murdered who must have had knowledge about the crimes. What we’re learning is as big a shock to us as it is to you. We have to pool our findings and end the upheaval. An investigation takes time, and it won’t be over tonight or tomorrow.”

  Lance set his jaw. “I hate him.”

  “Tori and I understand. This is painful. Makes us angry. We want the truth now.”

  “I’ve been thinking . . . What if all we’ve learned is a crazy scheme to destroy Dad’s reputation?” Lance leaned against the doorjamb. “Except I’m not a fool. He said those horrible things. He had the pics on his computer.”

  “Lance, do you want the truth or do you want to live with what you think you know? Which is it?”

  Lance sighed with the weight of facing the world’s evil without a weapon. He opened the door. “Mom’s in the living room with Grandma and Grandpa. Jack’s there too.”

  “Thanks,” Cole said. “We’ll solve this case and arrest the people responsible. I promise.”

  At the sight of Tori and Cole, Sally rose from the sofa, her eyes wide. “Didn’t I make myself clear today? Lance, what were you thinking?”

  Tori moved toward her. “We persuaded him to let us in. Don’t you see, by staying away, how it looks like we contacted the media?”

  Her dad stood. “You two have made my daughter’s life a public spectacle. Because of your lack of good judgment, her and her sons’ futures are in ruins, shattered by your thoughtless actions.”

  Tori recognized the closed portal of anger, and Mr. Brent staggered dangerously close. She eyed him, sympathizing with his ire. “You’re wrong—very wrong—in your accusations. I’d never abuse my friendship with your daughter by exploiting a tragedy.” She gave Sally her full attention. “My job is to find Nathan’s killer, not to hurt any of you with what’s been uncovered in the investigation.”

  “But I’m a suspect. Are you using me now?”

  “No.”

  “Mom,” Lance said, his voice strangely quiet. “If someone can hack Dad’s pacemaker, that person can also find other things about him. Maybe those people who lost the lawsuit wanted to get even. Or maybe it’s like the news said, and Anita Krantz had him killed. What about the man killed on the oil rig when CJ and Tori were there?” He folded her into an embrace, a rare sight. “We’ll get through tomorrow and the next day. Then we’ll move on. We have to be strong. You and Jack can grieve on the inside, but we have to fight on the outside.”

  Sally cried in his arms for several minutes before drawing back and lifting her chin. “You knew about your dad and his assistant.”

  Lance hesitated. When he started to speak, she shook her head. “I don’t need to be shielded from the truth. But I love you for trying to protect me and your brother.”

  His eyes pooled. “Mom, I heard you crying last night, and I’m sorry you’re hurt. I haven’t been much of a son, but I’m stepping up to the plate now. You and Jack need me, and I won’t let you down.”

  “Whoa.” Jack’s voice was strained, as though realization startled him. “You knew about Dad when we argued, and you still let me say rude stuff and everything. Sorry I punched you.” He encircled his mom and brother.

  “Sure, Bro. No problem.”

  So sad it took a death to strengthen what was left of the Moore family. Yet Lance’s determination offered the help Sally and Jack needed.

  “Sally, can Cole and I talk to you privately?” Tori said. Critical questions required putting her personal feelings aside.

  “Nathan’s office okay?”

  “Sure.” Tori and Cole followed her down the hall to the room where it all began. She shut the door, and they all stood.

  Thinking like an investigator challenged Tori’s every instinct when it came to Sally. If this weren’t her dearest friend, she’d be in the same position as Max. He believed in Sally’s guilt. Tori wanted the truth . . . and to learn her dear friend was innocent.

  “Please, whatever this is about, get it over with,” her friend said.

  “I have to do this,” Tori said. “It’s my job. Did you arrange for the bombing of the oil rig and Nathan’s murder?”

  She pounded her fist on the desk. “How dare you even suggest I’d commit such atrocious crimes?”

  “Calm down, please. I don’t like asking these questions any more than you like hearing them.”

  Sally swung her anger at Cole and Tori. “I thought having friends to help me through the most devastating moment of my life was a good idea. How wrong I’ve been.”

  Tori wished she couldn’t see the anguish in her eyes. “Do you want us to resign from the case so you can deal with strangers?”

  “How many times are you going to ask the same question?” Sally buried her face in her hands. “I loved Nathan. I had nothing to do with his murder. I’m a widow who’s learned her husband was unfaithful.”

  “Then you must comprehend the seriousness of why we had to have this conversation.” Tori kept her voice even, firm. “Your responses are documented. Consider this a formality, not an accusation. If I were sick, you’d ask me how I felt and check my vitals. We’re no different here. We need to check the temperatur
e of this case, give you a clean bill of innocence.”

  Sally touched Tori’s arm. “I am innocent.” She turned to Cole. “I know both of you have reservations, but you’ll find I’m not involved.”

  “We want to prove it beyond any doubt,” Cole said. “That means we must ask hard questions.”

  “Promise me you’ll tell me everything from now on. I can’t handle learning things from the media.”

  Tori sensed her own weariness. “We’ll do our best.”

  Sally closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. “I’m angry about the affair, and I ache because Nathan is gone. My sons are the most important thing in my life, and I’m not strong enough to take care of them.”

  “Lance and Jack need you,” Tori whispered. “That looks like a good place to begin.”

  Sally glanced toward the room where her sons waited. “I’m going to start now.”

  Time for Tori and Cole to make their exit so the family could pull together. They said their good-byes and walked toward the door.

  “Tori, Cole,” Sally said. “If you didn’t call the media, then who’s responsible?”

  A second flash of reality hit her. Max hadn’t been himself . . . made some poor decisions lately. She wanted to be wrong, terribly wrong.

  NEARING MIDNIGHT and Cole’s body refused to give in to sleep. He wanted to deliberate the facts and push around the evidence. He crawled out of bed and sat at his laptop. Scrolling through the app store, he found one kids used for brainstorming school projects. He could draw circles, move them around, and connect them with lines. The US Marshals had the technology to explore evidence strategically, except he’d been out of the loop too long. Tomorrow he’d make an inquiry—update his tech savvy. The issues were now.

  Sally Moore, Anita Krantz, and Franc Lawd held top billing as persons of interest.

  In a red bubble, he typed in Nathan’s name.

  Sally seemed the most unlikely, unless she had the ability to hide her feelings and actions like her husband. He placed her name in a blue bubble with the word betrayed and drew a line to Nathan.

  Anita Krantz was being tailed as a person of interest. Her background showed a two-year marriage over ten years ago to a man who resided in New Mexico—remarried with four children. Anita’s record was clean except for a speeding ticket in 2010. Cole placed her name in a blue bubble and typed vindictive? pregnant inside it.