Every Deadly Suspicion

Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43

T HE SOUND OF MUSIC ASSAULTED Jared’s ears as he reached Hanna and secured his backpack. He could see that she was on the edge. He was right there with her when he thought about a ten-year-old kid being at the mercy of a crazy man. A man who had already killed at least three people.

Jared needed to be clear about something before they continued. “Hanna, before we face Chase, I need to know.”

She stopped, turned, stepping off to the side of the path. He did as well.

“Know what?”

“Did Chase kill Edda?” He kept his voice low.

“I can’t tell you. Nathan was here to check into that. The guy who dumped Edda had a Vote Keyes for Chief bumper sticker on his SUV. Did you notice if any of Everett’s SUVs have the sticker? Nathan was trying to eliminate Everett.”

“Whoa, instead he stepped on a land mine.”

“If Chase went right rudder because of what happened thirty-five years ago, he’s a killer. Does it matter if he also killed Edda?”

“I just want to know.”

“I’m not sure. All I want to do is find Braden and Nathan. Are you okay?”

“I’m mad. It still hurts about her.”

Pain and understanding crossed her features. Then just as quickly, her face was a mask of resolve. “Me too; let’s keep going.”

They kept walking, staying to the side of the path. The music got louder. It was hard rock from the seventies and eighties. They were moving toward the source. The closer they got, the louder the blaring music became. They rounded the corner to a wide-open doorway. Lights blazed, the music now deafening. Chase was nowhere to be seen.

“Stay behind me,” Hanna spoke directly into his ear, and he barely heard.

She brought her gun up, and Jared did what she asked. But he was ready to push her out of harm’s way.

It was difficult to think, the music was so loud. The walls seemed to vibrate with the drumbeat.

The front door opened to a narrow hallway. At the end of the hall was a light, and from the sound, that was the location of the music.

Hanna proceeded down the hall. She was calm and steady. Because of that, Jared was calm.

She walked slowly, but she slowed even more the closer she got to the doorway opening. To Jared it looked as if it was the kitchen. The smell of stale bacon grease wafted in the air.

Hanna poked her head into the room. Then she moved fast. It startled Jared and he was two steps behind her. He rounded the corner in time to see Hanna grab a gun from Chase. He was seated at a table littered with beer cans. His arm was splayed across the table and his head rested on it. The gun made it look as if he’d been sitting with the weapon, ready to shoot anyone who came through the door, but he’d fallen asleep instead. Pills were strewn all over the table along with a baggie of weed.

Hanna holstered her weapon and unclipped her handcuffs. Jared caught up with her but was too late. She already had the man cuffed.

“Is he drunk or high?” Jared asked, and then realized with the music blaring she couldn’t hear. He looked around and saw the source of the music and shut it off. The silence was heaven.

“Drunk or high?” Jared repeated.

“I think he’s a lot of things.”

Jared checked Chase’s pulse. His breathing was shallow and pulse very weak. He checked an eye, saw the pinpoint pupil, and answered his own question. “He overdosed with something.” The pills looked to him like stuff he’d seen on calls. “Probably fentanyl.”

“Is he going to die?” Hanna asked.

“I can’t say how long he has.”

Hanna looked around the kitchen, then hurried to the next room. When she came back in the kitchen, she looked at Jared. For the first time stress and fear showed on her face.

“Where are Nathan and Braden?”