Page 47 of The Dollmaker

“Terry’s death was a terrible loss. Just saw the kid last week at his football game.”

“How long had he worked for you?”

“On and off all summer whenever we had work for him. He was a good worker and had a great attitude. Wish I could have found more kids like him.”

“His grandmother said he was offered a job last Sunday. Was that you?”

“No, it wasn’t me. I haven’t had Terrance on a job since August.”

“What businesses do you clean?”

“Well, we clean banks, a couple of insurance agencies, two salons—and we also do move-out cleanups.”

“Did his father apply for a job with you?”

“Jimmy Dillon. Yeah, he did. He worked a couple of jobs, but he wasn’t a great worker.”

“What jobs did Jimmy’s crew clean?”

“Medical offices. We got a cluster of them near Mechanicsville.”

Doctors’ offices meant drugs in stock. And Jimmy Dillon had done time for drugs.

“Can you get me a list of the places where Jimmy Dillon cleaned?”

“Sure. But what’s that have to do with Terrance?”

“Maybe nothing. I’m re-creating his last couple of weeks as well as his father’s. I’m just trying to figure out who might have killed him.”

“I’m on a job now, but I can send you the list.”

“I’ll text you my contact information.”

“As soon as I get back to my office, I’ll get it to you as quick as I can.”

“Thanks.”

“You got any ideas who would have done this to that boy?” Dobbins asked.

“I don’t know much yet. But I’m working on it.”

“Damn shame.”

“Did he make any friends on the crew? Was there anyone he hung out with?”

“Not really. Most of the guys on the crews are older. Forties or fifties. He was always talking about his buddies from high school.”

“He mention anyone in particular?”

“Talked about Ronnie and Garcia, but I never met them.”

Sharp had spoken to them both. “He ever give you a reason to think twice about him?”

“No. He never said a word that gave me pause about him. Loved his grandmother and said he wanted to give her a new dryer for Christmas.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Sharp hung up. His priority now was to find Terrance’s father. He suspected his old man was at the center of the shit storm that got Terrance killed.

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