CHAPTER Eight
Camille and Sam Jenkins arrived at the buffet at the same time, and she was relieved he didn’t stand her up.
She needed to approach the questionable reporter very carefully and not be accusatory.
It was quite apparent in the short time she’d talked with him that his biggest hangup with this whole ordeal was admitting he was unethical and losing his credibility.
Therefore, Camille had to treat Jenkins like a team player and act like they were partners rather than adversaries.
“Oh, good,” Camille said, starting a conversation as they met on the walk outside the buffet. “I was afraid I was going to be late.”
“I only have an hour,” Jenkins said curtly as he opened the door for Camille.
“That’s more than enough time. I just want both of us to get on the same page and work together. I think at this point, we each have information and skills the other could use,” Camille began.
Once back at their booth with full plates, Camille laid it on the line.
“I have an eyewitness to the murder and a possible suspect with motive.
I also have a theory about how the murder weapon got into Ross Paine’s garage, which is supported by all the other evidence.”
Jenkins had his mouth stuffed with fried chicken, but Camille could see an interested look on his face. When his mouth was nearly empty, he spoke.
“What do I need to do to get the details out of you?”
“I think you know, Mr. Jenkins.” Camille waited a considerable amount of time with no response. Finally, she said what Jenkins knew but wasn’t quite prepared to do.
“I want you to report that your description of the black truck was incorrect. I want you to retract that information.”
“I don’t understand why I have to do that, Ms. Hargrove. Just report that it was incorrect yourself in your exposé,” he fired back.
“Surely you understand that you swayed public opinion with that information. The public would be more inclined to accept these changes in the evidence if the correction came from you.”
“So I look like the fool, and you get all the glory blowing the lid off of this case,” he said sarcastically.
Camille knew this was his sticking point, and she was prepared.
“How about we work together? You don’t have to tell all the details.
Merely say the evidence has changed, and together we present the new evidence as soon as we tighten up some details,” Camille offered.
“WE get the glory of blowing the lid off this case, and your reputation is saved, maybe even improved.”
Jenkins had a thoughtful look on his face, and Camille knew he was on the fence, so she let loose with her ringer.
“And, Mr. Jenkins, let’s not lose sight of what’s really at stake here.
There’s a man who’s been wrongfully accused, and that means a killer is still out there endangering others.
Let’s get some justice for the Meyer family and prevent this tragedy from happening again.
Just tell me you’re in, and I’ll spill the details of all I know. ”
Jenkins figured if he was helping write the article, he could choose the wording when the black truck issue was presented. Plus, this could actually
be the big story he’d always wanted. “I’m in.”
“Great! Now, we have to work together and plan together. No one goes rogue here. We each know each other’s every step. We make no mistakes, so we can put this guy away and close this case for good. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Camille began telling Jenkins about her source, leaving his name confidential, of course. She would have to clear his disclosure with Biggs, and Jenkins completely understood. She also told her new partner about Janelle’s relationship with the man in the red truck, who was now suspect number one.
“Framing Ross Paine would give this guy less to worry about. He would have someone taking the blame for his crime, and Paine would be out of the way while he pursued his wife,” Camille explained.
“This is some good stuff,” Jenkins confirmed.
“But not enough to go public yet. One of us needs to talk to the police, and it wouldn’t hurt to also talk to the Meyer family, but the minute we do that, everyone is going to lose their minds that the case is back open.
I could try to talk to Chief Thomas. He’s a pretty good dude, and I’ve worked with him before, obviously.
I think I can get him to reopen the case covertly. ”
“Okay, so you go to the police, let them know what we have, and see if we can keep our investigations a secret as long as possible. They’ll go for that because they’ll also want time to get in front of things before the killer gets wind that we’re onto him,” Camille said.
“What do you think about me trying to talk with Janelle, I mean, if I can get her in private?”
“Hum, good idea, but maybe too soon,” Jenkins said. “I think you could approach Mr. and Mrs. Meyer and let them know a little of what’s going on. I know that you understand not to get their hopes up, but just let them know, so they’re not hearing it on the news for the first time.”
“Yeah, good idea. You get with the police and get them to work with us, and I’ll let the Meyers know we’re working on some new leads, but not give details.”
When their plans were solid and lunch was over, Sam Jenkins shook Camille’s hand and spoke with gratitude.
“I know you didn’t need to include me, Ms. Hargrove, but I appreciate it.”
“First off, call me Camille, and second, I absolutely did need to include you. I need your connection and relationship with this community.” Camille had said all along that she needed someone the community trusted to help her with this case, and she knew it was Jenkins.
She was thankful that she had finally persuaded him to help her.
“I think we’ll make a great team,” she concluded.
With nothing pressing to do for the case, Camille headed back to her hotel to call her parents and take a shower. She would still have plenty of time to stop by the store and get dessert before heading back to Ross’s. She couldn’t wait to tell him all the headway she had made.
Just briefly, Camille contemplated calling Ike and getting that disaster out of the way. But Camille was quick to change her mind. She wondered if she’d ever have the time or patience to thoroughly deal with Ike. Instead, her head was filled with thoughts of Ross and getting back to the Point.
When she rounded the curve and arrived back in the clearing, she spotted him immediately down on the dock cleaning fish.
Uncontrollably, her stomach did a little flip.
It was warm for October, and just as she suspected, Ross had his shirt off.
She could tell he had spent a lot of time shirtless during the summer.
His tan was envious of by anyone’s standards, and the muscles in his arms and upper back were flexing as he cleaned.
Oh damn! How in the hell am I going to look him in the face and have an intelligent conversation? When he turns around and I see those abs, I’m DONE! Throw in the panty-dropping smile, and I’ll break out in a sweat.
Camille put her head in her hands and rubbed her temples.
Get your shit together, Camille.
Camille took the German chocolate cake inside and continued to collect herself before heading down to the dock.
When Ross heard someone walking up behind him, he hoped to hell it was Camille.
When he turned toward her, she took his breath away.
She wore a little, red tank top and jeans, which made her curves come to life.
But it was her hair that got him. She left it down, and it was perfectly straight, hanging all the way to her waist.
So fucking gorgeous!
She deserved a genuine compliment.
“Hey, you,” he began. “You look great.” Now he was breaking out one of those signature Ross Paine smiles. “I’m glad you’re back. I’m almost done here.”
“Great timing then, huh?” Camille managed, sneaking a peek at his bare chest before he turned back around. “Did you have any luck?”
“Yes,” Camille confirmed. “Incredible luck.”
“Awesome! Help me carry some of this stuff up to the house. I’ll get cleaned up, and you can tell me all about your day,” Ross said, handing Camille the bucket with the fish.
“Looks like you had a good day too.”
“Yeah, the fishing is always pretty good here on the Point.”
Ross dropped off his cleaning gear, went into the house, and got a towel. “Help yourself to a beer. I ran and got some more ice. They should be good and cold. I’ll be right back.”
Camille watched him as he headed back down to the lake, where he slipped off his jeans and jumped in. She heard him say he was getting cleaned up, but she didn’t put two and two together at first.
Duh, Camille.
She tried not to stare as he stood on the ladder and scrubbed up with soap. It was about all Camille could take, so she moved away from the window and grabbed a beer.
Don’t look, Milly.
But Camille didn’t take her own advice, and she parked herself back at the window and watched as he stood with his back to her on the dock, drying off.
When he wrapped the towel around his waist and then reached under it to take off his wet briefs, Camille flinched.
And when he started to turn around, Camille couldn’t trust herself to watch, knowing what was under that fucking towel.
She sat at the table, drinking her beer, hoping to look casual when he walked in.
When he came through the door, still glistening a little with lake water beads on his chest, Camille swallowed hard and hoped her voice didn’t crack when she tried to talk. Ross Paine was definitely the sexiest man she had ever seen.
“Tell me what’s going on while I go get dressed.”
This was it—the moment of truth. Would her voice fail her and be a tell-tale giveaway that she was crushing harder than she had ever crushed in her life?