Page 53 of Justice for JoElla

Mick found an all-nightwaffle place out by the airport in Florence, and the three law enforcement officers headed that way. When they were seated and their food ordered, all three picked up steaming mugs of coffee and took a few long sips before anyone said anything. When they did, it was Quint. “Looks like he’s being very careful not to cross state lines, so far as we know.”

Mick nodded. “Yeah. He knows if he does, we’ll call in the FBI, and he’ll have a lot more trouble than just us.”

“And I guess your state police are involved?”

“Yep,” JoElla assured him. “Have been since early on, but it was our jurisdiction. They’re doing what they can to help us, but they’re not doing the leg work.” She sat for a few seconds. “So they saw him here early today, but somebody shot and killed the Cases outside Taylorsville. That’s some traveling he’s doing.”

“If I had to guess, I’d say he went there trying to find money or anything else they could fork over. And he had no intention of leaving them alive.” Quint stared down into his coffee cup. “This is one very fucked-up individual. I feel sorry for that poor woman. If she’s not already dead, she’s in misery.”

“Yeah, and it’s driving me crazy just knowing that.” JoElla wasn’t pulling any punches. Every time she thought of Josie, she felt a little nauseous. A foot sticking out of the back end of an SUV? He was toting her around like a sack of groceries. “You know, I’ve been thinking. I’m not sure why he’s moving around, except to keep us confused, but I have to believe he’s got a place somewhere that he’s using as a base.”

Mick shrugged. “You’d think. I mean, how long can a person live out of a car like that? He’s getting money from somewhere too. I can’t imagine that anybody’s giving it to him willingly. That means he’s stealing it somewhere, but why haven’t we gotten any calls about that?”

“Good question.” They were all good questions, good theories, but the three law enforcement officers were getting nowhere. JoElla’s text notification went off, and she looked down and smiled.

You somewhere safe?

She typed back with both thumbs:Yes. With Mick and Quint at a waffle place. Will be heading back shortly, but we needed hot, strong coffee.She added a smiley emoji and one of a mug of coffee before she sent it.

Okay. Just be careful. And please let me know when you’re heading back.

Sure thing.

Mick startled her when he asked, “What are you up to?”

“Oh, nothing. Just checking in with a friend.”

“This friend wouldn’t have a twin brother, would they?”

JoElla faked disdain. “What would make you think that?”

“I offered to introduce you.”

She laughed. “You did! But I met him at The Blue Moon last Thursday, and…” She didn’t quite know how to put it.

“Something clicked?” Quint asked.

“No. More like somebody just wouldn’t go away, and in the process, I found out he’s a really decent guy. Damn smart. Funny. And I really believe he’d do anything for me if I needed him to.”

“Oh yeah? That good, huh?” Mick asked, laughing.

“Yes. That good.” Her phone started ringing, and she glanced down, then up to Mick as she answered it. “Hey, sheriff.”

“You busy?”

“Sitting at a waffle place with Mick and our guest, LieutenantAxton.”

“How’d it go?”

“Good, I guess. As good as could be expected. Did you manage to get to the Cases’ house before the vultures from city found a way to swoop in?”

“Yeah. That’s a mess. I’m not sure what was going on, but I’m pretty damn sure it has something to do with the Wiseman woman’s disappearance, seeing as how it was her parents. How’d you know about all that?”

“EMT who took the call is a friend of mine.”

“Oh. Gotcha. Well, I’m glad he called you. At least I got the jump on it. I’ll brief you both when you get in tomorrow. And don’t let Mick drive unless he’s had enough coffee. The guy can fall asleep standing up while he’s talking to you.”

JoElla laughed. “I’ll take that under advisement! Thanks, Roy. Talk to you tomorrow.”

---