Page 68 of Ambush

It was the best view they’d had of the hunting knife, and Paradise had never seen one like it. The bright orange blade would stand out, and it would be a deadly weapon.

“That’s some knife,” Blake said. “It’s not military issue.”

Nora studied it through the plastic. “It’s a Benchmade Raghorn.”

Blake started to step toward her, then stopped and put his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Not familiar with the brand, but then, I’m not a hunter.”

“I’m not either, but Greene will find out more about it.” Nora laid it aside and pulled out her phone. “I’ll call for help to process the vehicle. Go ahead and have lunch.”

“You and Paradise want to have lunch with us?” Hez asked. “You’re going to be stuck here awhile anyway. Savannah and Paradise can get acquainted a little better.”

Blake glanced at Paradise, and she nodded. Hez might know more about her brother, though she assumed if he’d discovered anything, he would have dropped that news already.

Paradise watched Nora begin gathering hairs and fibers at the driver’s door. This could be the moment that turned the investigation around. It might clear Blake and point to the real killer.

Or it could be another boulder on his back that would sink him, and they’d all go down with him.

Chapter 32

There was no aroma like the blend of grilled oysters and seafood gumbo, and Paradise realized she’d skipped breakfast after doing her PT. Their table at Billy’s Seafood had a view of the marina with its boats bobbing in the waves, and the place was full.

Hez slipped his arm across the back of Savannah’s chair. “I’m glad we’ve got a minute. I had an unexpected call last night—the box containing the evidence collected after the Alden murders turned up. I ran up to Bay Minette and picked it up. It turned up some interesting information.”

Paradise tensed beside Blake, and he put his hand on her knee. “Steady,” he whispered.

Paradise had thought she was ready to hear it, but Hez’s somber expression caused acid to churn its way from her belly to the back of her mouth. “What did you find?”

“The Nike shoe belonged to Sheriff Davis. My informant believes that’s why the evidence box was buried in the basement. There are witness statements that his truck was parked down the street and a neighbor saw him running from the house before law enforcement arrived.”

Finally, an answer to the question she’d wrestled with for twenty years, yet somehow it left her feeling cold and bereft. Shouldn’t a resolution carry a sense of peace? “So that’s it then. It’s over.”

“I can bring this evidence to McShea so the truth is out.”

“Then what would happen?”

“People would know the truth.”

“Truth.” Bea’s sorrowful face in her memory segued to her beam of pride about her grandchildren. She’d kept quiet to protect her family. Did Paradise want to explode the peace they’d found by saying this was the truth? “I’m not sure truth is what I wanted. I think it was justice, and Davis is already dead and gone. Digging up these bones would hurt his wife and children who did nothing.”

Hez nodded. “It would be a bomb exploding in their lives, but it might be worth it for the case to be wrapped up with no more questions.”

“It wouldn’t be worth it to Bea and her kids who have gone on to build their lives. She’s so proud of her grandchildren. The truth would trash the memories they have of Gerald, and it wouldn’t change anything for me. My parents are still gone. I think I’d rather focus on finding my brother, no matter how long it takes.”

Blake’s approving smile warmed her and maybe even crept a bit into that cold space where the memories of the night of her parents’ murder had begun to stir. “Hey, Savannah, can you get into the TGU enrollment records?” He laid out the story of the student digging on the property.

“My sister can. I’m happy to get it for you. Or you can meet me at TGU tomorrow if that works better in case you have more questions.”

“I’d like to meet you there, if that’s okay. I might have more questions. Is eight too early? That would give me time to get back for the park opening.”

“That’s fine.” Savannah gave him directions for where to meet.

The server brought their food, and they chatted over lunch. Paradise liked Savannah more and more. Maybe she’d found a new friend in the area.

By the time they finished their meal, Savannah had a text from Nora. “Your van’s ready for you to take.”

Blake’s phone sounded with a message too, and he glanced at it. “Mom says the boys are dying to go fishing, so I guess our afternoon is planned out for us.”

Paradise was ready for a day of mindless fun with the boys so she could evaluate how she felt about this turn of events. The resolution of one question had come, but finding her brother might prove to be even more difficult.

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