Chapter 57
Chapter
Fifty-Seven
Nash straightened. What was Tate doing here?
The man stopped just inside and glanced around as if looking for someone.
“Is the sheriff here?” he called. “I need to talk to him.”
Prine came back through the cafeteria doors. “Mr. Ferris? I’m Agent Prudence Prine, FBI.”
“I heard about Mason. He’s on my soccer team. I want to help find him.”
“We’d love to have your help,” Prine said. “Can I have ten minutes? You’re just the man we were looking for.”
Ferris’s expression twisted with confusion. “You were looking for me? Is this about Mason?”
“Let’s talk.”
She led him into an office and pulled the door shut. A few minutes later, Luke stepped in from outside and joined them.
Nash stayed in the hall. But he really wanted to be in that room and hear what was being said. Right now, Tate was their strongest lead.
When they finally came out, Prine was first. She gave him a small shake of the head on her way past.
Luke stopped beside Nash.
“His sister’s boy’s been getting infusions since June,” Luke said, low. “Every other Monday, one o’clock chair time, in Sevierville. Tate signed him in at 12:52, and they came out at 3:40. We confirmed it with the hospital.”
“That’s forty minutes each way.”
“Yes, it is.” Luke rubbed his eyes. “Two nurses put him in that room the whole time. His alibi should hold.”
Nash blew out a long breath. “So now we need another suspect.”
“Yes, we do.”
Prine came back toward them with her phone in hand. “Junction Market is only about ten minutes from here. Clerk says a man came through around 12:30 and bought some basic food items. He was wearing navy blue pants and top. Clerk said he was acting shifty.”
“Is that enough of a lead to warrant questioning?” Luke asked.
“He also asked if there were any boxes in the back he could have.”
Nash’s breath caught. “Let me go. I want to hear what he has to say.”
Prine nodded at him. “I was hoping you’d offer.”
Wren walked in as Prine made her announcement, and her heart leapt into her throat. “Let me come too.”
“Absolutely not.” Prine shook her head, leaving no room for doubt.
“This is my son we’re talking about!”
“Your son isn’t in that store.” Prine already had her keys out. “You need to let us handle this. If you interfere, you’ll only slow us down. I know you don’t want that.”
Without another word, she marched outside, Prine first, then Luke, followed by two deputies.
Nash paused in front of her. “I’ll call you with an update as soon as I can.”
She scowled. “Okay.”
“Sit tight. I’ll be in touch.” He squeezed her arm before disappearing through the doors after the rest of them.
Wren stood there and watched.
Then she glanced back at the cafeteria.
Marlowe was asleep in a plastic chair. Nora had her eyes shut. A few others lingered, talking among themselves.
Before she could second-guess herself, Wren walked out the front door and across the lot to her car.
She knew exactly where they were going. Junction Market.
And she was going there too, whether they liked it or not.