Chapter 29 #2
“Yes, ma’am. I trusted Phillip from our first meeting. Even more so when he verified some points only on my radar. From that point on, things progressed fast and expansive. We needed a place to meet that would be safe for both of us. Your all’s house seemed like the logical spot.”
Blinking away tears from her eyes, she cleared her throat as her chin quivered. “You behind the pine tree. Phillip on the front porch.”
“I want you to know that Phillip quickly became one of the most trustworthy informants I’d ever had on any job,” Shadow said.
“Our system worked fine for a while. Then things started getting dicier. Wasn’t long till my side of the assignment seemed to be changing.
I got the feeling there was a new bull trying to move in and take charge with the group I’d first infiltrated.
Also, got word here and there that they were planning another expansion in the Midwest.”
Trying to stay with the story being told, Betsy had to admit there were times she couldn’t keep all the ins and outs straight, but she listened.
Listened close to everything that the agent had divulged about his assignment.
Knowing Phillip had been helping with the drug case brought her a sense of pride that he’d taken his rehab seriously.
Still, part of her was not a bit happy with the fact JB had kept her out of the loop once he’d been added to the DEA info path. Or with Cain for not filling her in when he got the whole report from JB. She understood why—still didn’t make her happy.
“I warned Phillip to be careful, but he just kept digging and digging on his side of the assignment.” Shadow removed his hat and placed it on the desk.
His brow pinched together as he raked his fingers through his hair.
“Phillip was so close to finding the final piece of the puzzle regarding the Illinois group. He’d almost figured out how his dad had had such a sudden success in the auto business. ”
The agent shook his head. “He was so determined to do what was right and take down the controlling element. Even if it meant taking down his dad, the dealership, and possibly even more of their estranged family.”
Betsy felt lightheaded. Those words she’d understood. “Wait! What did you just say about the dealership? What did Phillip and you find out?”
“Nothing specific, but we were close. Real close,” Shadow said.
“In fact, Phillip planned to confront someone at that picnic. I told him not to, but he was determined. He always talked about buying some land so you two could build a bigger house and start a family. But first, he wanted whatever hold there was over his dad to be put to rest. Said he didn’t want a child of his to ever be threatened or blackmailed because of their past.”
Shadow braced his legs a foot apart, his body swaying forward and back, forward and back, forward and back as his expression shadowed remorse and strength.
“I’ve often wondered if the wreck had anything to do with that final piece.
And I’ll never know if he talked to anyone at that picnic or not.
Once he was killed in the wreck, the trail went cold. Cold and quiet as ice.”
Suddenly all her business pride flew out the window as Shadow, Cain, JB, Officer Hastings and Kennett laid out everything they knew—not only from the past few days since the events at Peyton’s had happened, but evidence that dated back five, ten, even twenty years.
Gradually, they pieced together the possible premises they’d started with and tried to see where the information she and Cain had gathered from the insurance agent earlier today fit into the mix.
Especially the business partner life insurance policies that had been paid out through the years. And the people on the current list.
The intercom buzzed with news that the DEA and FBI had arrived to take Shadow out of the assignment, out of the line of fire for being a plant. Word had also come in that the regional cartel had gone into silent mode and scattered to the far winds.
“You all wrap this up. We need to get Shadow on the road to a little peace of mind for a while,” JB said as he motioned to the others and shook the agent’s hand. “Thanks for everything. You’ve made a big dent in the local drug case.”
“I think there’s more going on in Crayton than drugs,” Cain said, holding out his hand. “A whole lot more. Some of it may tie into the drug operation, but I’ve got a bad feeling the worst reveal is still to come. Sorry if I was out of line before.”
Accepting the apology, Shadow took his hand. “No problem. I knew this would be tricky, trying to get everything out in the open without being on the wrong end of your punch.”
“I don’t mean to be out of line, but I do have one more question.” Betsy stepped in front of the agent. “Once Phillip was killed in the wreck, why have you been standing outside my living room window every so often?”
Shadow braced his hands on his hips. “One thing Phillip made me promise was that if something went wrong and he didn’t make it, I’d keep an eye on you.
Especially when I had any inkling you might be in danger.
So, been there a few times. Even volunteered when the local drug boss asked for someone to watch your house one night.
I still don’t know what was going down, but I wasn’t about to trust your safety to anyone else.
” He straightened a bit and swallowed. “You see, I try hard to always keep my promises.”
Betsy couldn’t explain why, but without a second thought she reached out and hugged him. “Thank you for helping Phillip. And me. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“Don’t think too bad of Phillip,” Shadow whispered in her ear as he returned her hug. “He loved you more than you’ll ever know. And even though he wasn’t perfect, none of us are. We’re all just human, trying to do the best we can.”
Dropping his quick hug, he stepped back.
“By the way, until Cain came on the scene, I’d stay around the general area of the dealership most Friday nights until I could make sure you’d left work.
Had some mighty good home-cooking at that little hole-in-the-wall diner on the corner across the street.
” Concern inched into his expression. Shadow looked her right in the eye.
“I figure you’ve got your own protector in town now. ”
The two men shared a brothers-in-arms hug as the others scattered to arrange the so-called prisoner transfer with the federal agents.
Betsy knew when she wasn’t in control or even needed, so she tried to stay out of the way.
She had no doubt this conversation and planning and strategizing would continue tomorrow.
All she could do was accept the fact she wasn’t as insightful or observant or street smart as she’d thought.
From now on she’d do whatever the police and Cain needed her to do.
Nausea suddenly hit her broadside. If there was a ringer working at the dealership, then who had she mistakenly trusted?
Who would be the one to shatter her memories? She’d do whatever the police asked.
This was her reputation. Her town. Her village. The place that over twenty years ago had accepted her mama, her sisters and herself as part of their family. Now Crayton had an infestation that needed to be stopped. She’d help every way she could.
“Looks like I owe you another new hat,” Cain said as he picked up the white hat from the desk, streaks of pizza sauce and toppings staining the brim, and handed it to his friend.
“Nah, what’s a little jalapeno between friends? Not like it’s a bullet hole.” Shadow centered the hat on his head and headed to the door. “You watch your six, Cain. There’s a ringer in this fiasco. Maybe more than one.”
Cain quick-nodded his head. “It only takes one.
As Shadow left the building under the protection of other DEA agents, Betsy’s phone beeped that a text had arrived.
Hey, Sweetie, we’re on our way home. Thought you might need us. Just outside Jefferson City. See you soon. Love, Mama.
Another beep. Another text.
“Sister of mine, you better stop telling me everything’s okay. See you soon! Love ya—Marcy
And another one.
“I’m gonna expect the truth when I get there…you hear? -heart emoji- Summer
“My mama and sisters have cut short their trip and are headed this way. All because of me.” Betsy swiped her fingers across her cheeks. “They shouldn’t have done that. I can take care of me.”
Cain wrapped his arm across her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. “Betsy, Betsy, Betsy. You have got to let people care about you. And take care of you sometimes.”
“That’s not how I’m built. I always watch out for them.”
“Well, I think it’s time you had an upgrade on your system.” He grinned and answered his ringing phone. “Yeah, Truman. I hear everyone’s headed this way. Good! We can use all the help we can get.”