Page 143 of State of Suspense

“I, uh, I shouldn’t say anything. Willy will be mad.”

“You mentioned your children. How old are they?”

“Six and four. They’re from another relationship.”

“You must miss them.”

“Very much so.”

“Where are they?”

“Back home in Kentucky. I was with them every day until Willy got released. He told me to pick him up. I thought we were going right home, but that’s not what happened. I didn’t want to bother that pregnant lady or her son. Willy made me do it.”

“Do you know anything about the murder of Tom Forrester or the attempted murder of Avery Hill?”

She looked down at the table. “What would be in it for me if I knew stuff?”

“That depends on what you’re able to give us.”

“If I tell you, Willy will have me killed in jail.”

“We’d have you put into protective custody.”

“He’d find a way. He don’t do snitches.”

“Let me make a call and see what can be done.” Sam got up to leave the room to call Captain Malone. “I’m with Amber Peckham, who did the home invasion at Shelby and Avery’s with her husband, Willy. I think she has info on the shootings of Tom and Avery, but she’s afraid to talk because her husband threatened her to keep her mouth shut. She said he’d find a way to kill her even if she was in protective custody. What can we do?”

“Let me get with Faith and see what she thinks. I’ll call you right back.”

While she waited, Sam texted Shelby to see how Avery was doing.

Much better. They transferred him out of ICU. Hopefully home by the end of the week.

That’s great news. I’m so glad to hear it. How are you?

I’m fine as long as he is. Will be glad to get him home. Will probably delay our move-out, however.

Don’t worry about that. Stay as long as you need to. We like having you guys upstairs.

So thankful for you all.

Love you.

You too!

She took a call from Malone. “What’d she say?”

“She’ll have Amber transferred back to our place.”

“When?”

“Right away.”

“Should we bring her back?”

“Not sure the Secret Service would go for that.”

“True, and I don’t want to get my agents into trouble.”

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