Page 24 of Deadly Revenge

A clearer picture of Harrison Carter was forming in Max’s head. “Anything that would warrant the three deaths and Carter receiving threats?”

“I’m not sure which one to start with.” Nathan tapped the steeringwheel. “I guess the first thing he did was raise taxes to spruce up the city park. I thought that was a good move, but some people were furious because it was the same year we had a recession. Then he placed restrictive regulations on businesses and created controversial zoning rules. But the kicker was probably building the dam on the Pearl River.”

“I’ve heard about that,” Max said. “But would the people involved still carry a grudge?”

“Around here?” Alex said. “Yep. Even I remember that no one involved liked having their property taken for the project, even though it supposedly meant attracting industry to the area.”

“Which really hasn’t happened so far,” Nathan added.

“But all of these things are far in the past. Why now?”

“That’s a good question.” Alex rubbed the back of her neck. “Maybe the cases aren’t connected, and the body isn’t anyone we know.”

Max had a feeling the chief deputy was wrong. He looked out the window as dark shadows flew by in the gray moonlight. They wouldn’t be completely in the dark. “I’m glad Jenna was there when they found the body and was able to secure the scene.”

“We got lucky there.” Nathan made another turn, then he glanced toward Alex. “I’m glad Jenna is working out. Any signs of lingering PTSD?”

“Haven’t been any problems.”

“PTSD?” Max said.

Alex turned to where she could see Max. “You didn’t know?”

“No.” He should’ve checked on her, but he’d been so wrapped up in his work.

Alex hesitated, indecision playing on her face, then she nodded. “It’s nothing she’s tried to hide—before I hired her, Jenna was up-front about the shooting in Chattanooga that put her in the hospital and left her with PTSD. An internal investigation had found no fault with her actions in the death of a small-timedrug dealer ... other than she was on a passive surveillance and not supposed to engage her targets.”

Then the chief deputy shrugged. “If it’d been me, I would’ve done the same thing. If Jenna had waited, a five-year-old boy would probably be dead. She’s still upset the head of the gang, Rick Sebastian, slipped through her fingers.”

He should’ve dug into the rumors more ... Jenna probably thought he’d heard and believed them. “So, she’s working out?”

“Absolutely. Chattanooga PD made a huge mistake relegating her to a desk after she was cleared by the department psychologist. I haven’t regretted hiring her for one minute.”

“She really was one of my best detectives,” Max said.

“What do you think about her working with you on security for Saturday ... and you maybe helping out with the Slater investigation?”

His heart jumped. “No objections at all.”

“Good. I’m sure she’ll tell you about her PTSD since you two will be working together—but don’t mention the part about you helping with her case until I have a chance to broach the subject with her.”

“Don’t worry—I won’t.” He doubted Jenna would be happy to learn they’d be working together.

Alex laughed. “She’ll be fine with it, once she has time to think about it.” The GPS beeped. “There’s a logging road just ahead. Turn there.”

Nathan turned where Alex indicated, and Max gripped the armrest as the SUV bumped over the ruts. Headlights flashed in the side mirror.

“That’s probably my CSI tech, Dylan,” she said before he could ask. About a mile in, a man stood at the edge of a clearing, holding a battery-powered lantern. Several trucks were parked in the small area, and they pulled in beside a gray Chevy. Max stepped out into the damp night as Dylan pulled in behind them.

“Alex, Chief,” the man holding the lantern said, nodding at them. He questioned Max’s presence with his eyebrows.

Alex nodded toward Max. “This is TBI agent Maxwell Anderson. Max, Jenna’s dad, Randy Hart.” She turned back to Randy. “Where’s the body?”

“It’s about half a mile from here. Jenna sent me to show you the way.”

Alex turned to the CSI tech. “Need help with your equipment?”

Dylan pushed his glasses up on his nose. “It would help if someone could carry one of the portable lights.”

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