Page 36 of Shelter for Sharla

“That’s wise. Do you have more officers coming?”

“Yeah. This isn’t my county, of course, but the sheriff here is a friend of mine and he’s promised me some assistance in the way of eyes and boots on the ground.”

Cruz nodded in understanding. “That’s good. Very good. There’s a real possibility that some over-zealous members of the public are going to show up. I’m probably going to be the only law enforcement in attendance who’s not in identifying clothing of some kind, so I’m going to be available if needed. I’ll just sit to the side in the rear and keep an eye out.”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Listen, Cruz, thank you?thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.” Carter meant that. Just having Cruz there made him feel as if they had a chance at this thing, at bringing someone to justice over what happened with Tamara.

“I love a good mystery, and I’ve been wanting to see these guys taken down for a few years now. I’ve busted up drug-dealing motorcycle clubs and I don’t mind going after these scumbags at all. Thanks for letting me come.” The more Cruz talked, the more excited Carter got. They were really going to do this! Then Cruz asked the question Carter had been dreading: “Does the rest of law enforcement around here know that I’m involved? State police? State bureau of investigations?”

“No. Sam and I haven’t told anybody. Can I be completely honest here?” Cruz nodded. “They treat us, sheriffs’ departments and police departments, like red-headed stepchildren, like we’re just bubbas who have no idea what we’re doing, and we’re all tired of it. I went to a meeting with all of them and I had more information to share than any of them did.”

Cruz’s brow furrowed. “Even though a trooper was killed?”

“Yeah. That’s the shocking part. Anyway, I want these guys taken down. They’ve caused this family grief that was totally unnecessary and robbed the world of a special young person. Hell, maybe more than just her when we finally get down to it. I want them stopped cold.”

“Then I’m gonna do whatever I can to help you,” Cruz said and clapped Carter’s shoulder with his big hand. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. Meeting first thing in the morning?”

“You know it. I’ll pick up coffee and donuts for everybody on the way, so you can pick out whatever you like best while we’re there.”

“Spoken like a true cop!” Cruz said, laughing, and Carter laughed too. It felt good to have something to laugh about, even if it was just for a minute.

Cars started to pull up, and Carter could only guess at their occupants. He and Cruz returned to the chapel, and he was pleased to see at least three deputies and two police officers from there in Hopkinsville. Good?they had backup if they needed it. As people came in, they signed the register and made their way up the aisle. They spoke to each other and the family in hushed tones, took Sharla and the kids’ hands, patted their shoulders. Some he was sure were members of churches around there, most of them older people, and a few he was almost certain were faculty from the university. That made him smile. It was nice they cared enough to come.

One older man made his way over and when he reached Carter, he stopped and extended a hand. “SheriffMelton?”

“Yes, sir. How may I help you?”

“My name is ProfessorAndrews. I was fortunate enough to have MissKent in my classes over the last three years. What an intelligent, promising young woman. Such a shame,” the old gent said, hanging his head and shaking it.

“Yes, sir, it is. Very sad.”

“I just spoke to Ms.Barker and she said to come to you. I think I may have some information you could use.”

Carter perked up. A professor at the university? Yeah, he’d take any info the fellow might have. “Sir, thank you so much. I appreciate that. Could I give you a call and make a time to come and speak with you? I’ll come to your home, or to the school, or wherever?”

“That would be fine. Perhaps we could meet halfway somewhere, if that would help.”

“That would help greatly, sir. Thank you so much.”

“Here.” The man reached into a jacket pocket and handed Carter a business card. “Call anytime. If a woman answers, that’s my wife. Tell her you’re my bookie. She loves to get her hands on my cell phone, and I love to mess with her, if you know what I mean.” ProfessorAndrews winked, and Carter liked the man immediately. Another piece of evidence! It was a terrible day, but good things were happening.

“I’ll do that, sir! Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch.”

“Well, good day, young man. Pleasure meeting you.” With that, the professor made his way to a pew and sat down beside a very attractive older lady. Carter glanced down at the business card:ProfessorAloysius T. Andrews, Ph.D.Underneath that wasChair, Biological Sciences Department.Carter thought about college. God, he’d hated biology! He pocketed the card and looked around.

The chapel wasn’t halfway full, but there was a good turnout for a Wednesday in the middle of the day. Movement caught his eye, and he watched one of the officers from the HopkinsvillePolice Department take a woman by the arm and escort her out. It took him two seconds flat to get to the foyer, and the woman was arguing with the officer. “But I have a right to?”

“No, ma’am. This is a private service and you have no right to be here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Carter stopped short of them. “What’s going on here?”

The woman wheeled on him and almost snarled. “I’m a reporter for the ChristianCounty Gazette, and I wanted to interview the family but?”

“Absolutelynot. I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises,” Carter announced.

She glared at his badge and then sneered. “And you have no jurisdiction here.”

“I do, according to the sheriff of this county, who gave me jurisdiction this morning. You?leave. Now. Don’t make me tell you a second time or I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

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