Page 77 of Deadly Revenge

“Junior,” Jenna said quietly. “You’re not helping matters. We’re investigating the Slater accident, as well as Paul Nelson’s death—it’s not like TV where everything gets wrapped up in an hour. Why don’t you sit down with us and tell us what you know about anyone who might have a grudge against Nelson.”

Uncertainty clouded the big man’s face, and Todd tugged at Junior’s sleeve. “Don’t make a scene.”

“We could use your help,” Max added.

“Yours too, Todd,” Jenna said.

Junior gave them a curt nod. While they grabbed their iced teas, Max slid in beside Jenna in the booth. Junior and Todd sat across from them. Both men removed their ball caps, laying them on the seat.

Junior eyed Max suspiciously. “What’s he doing here in Pearl Springs, anyway?”

She pressed her knee against Max’s leg, hoping he understood she should handle this. “He came Monday to coordinate with Nathan and Alex the security for Harrison Carter’s political rally.” Jenna leaned forward. “Max was my boss in Chattanooga. He’s a good guy.”

Junior’s expression softened, but he still frowned at them.

Todd nodded. “Why is the TBI involved in Carter’s rally?”

“It’s a long story, one we’re not at liberty to discuss,” she replied.

Junior rubbed his jaw with his thumb. “Somebody threatening to kill our illustrious former mayor?”

“Do you know anyone who would want to?” Max asked.

The big man snorted. “Just about anybody he and the city council imposed those silly zoning regulations on ... and then there’s those who were forced to sell the government their land, my dad and your folks included.” He raised his eyebrows and looked down at Jenna. “That enough?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Carter about started a war with his rules and regulations in town. And you ought to know what happened with the dam project. Your granddaddy refused the government’s offer. He was totally against everyone selling their property and vowed to fight it.”

Junior picked up his tea glass and rattled the ice in it before using a spoon to dip out a couple of slivers. He set the glass down. “After he died in thataccident, Eva didn’t have the heart to fight any longer. She turned the fight over to Sam and your dad, and they caved.”

Jenna frowned. “The way you said that—you don’t think it was an accident?”

Junior shrugged. “I can’t say ... and with three deaths this week of people involved in what was going on back then, I’m not sure I should. You might want to watch your own back.”

“What else can you tell us?” Max asked.

“Nothing concrete, just things I observed.”

“Like what?” Jenna asked.

“Like your granddaddy and Todd’s dad, Earl, dying in ‘accidents.’”

She shifted her gaze to Todd. The lanky banker hunched over his glass of tea. “How much land did your family own?”

He picked up his cap and studied the John Deere logo. “Two hundred acres in the valley where the reservoir is now. Land my daddy and granddaddy loved.” He looked up. “After my dad died, my grandfather lost heart. He took whatever the state offered—don’t know how much, but it was enough to send me to college.”

“I’m sorry,” Jenna said. “I don’t remember the accident that took your dad’s life. Do you mind talking about it?”

Todd’s melancholy expression hardened. “He supposedly shot himself climbing out of a deer stand, but anyone who knew my dad would never believe that. He was too safety conscious about his guns.”

“So, what do you think happened?” Max asked.

“Me?” Todd straightened. “I think he stood in the way of Carter’s ambitions. My dad was planning on running against him in the election later that year, and her grandfather was backing him.” He lifted an eyebrow. “If I were you and something happened to Harrison, I’d probably be looking at me or Junior as the main suspects.”

Looking at the two men across from her, Jenna found it hard to believe either was their killer, but she needed to check theirstories out. The sheriff’s office should have a file on her grandfather’s accident in the archives as well as one on Earl Donelson. Jenna made a mental note to ask Alex about it. “Anyone else we need to know about?”

Junior stared up at the ceiling then returned his gaze to Jenna, his brows raised. “Gordon Marsden’s dad. After he died, Gordon ended up selling out instead of fighting like his dad would’ve wanted.”

---