Page 49 of Justice for Samara

He was quiet again. Michael was about to ask if he was still there when he said, “Okay. When?”

“I’m going to be around here due to the staffing shortage, so anytime you want to come by will be fine. Of course, the sooner we talk to you, the sooner we can find out who was responsible for burning down your home and give you some peace of mind. If you get here and I’m not here for some reason, ask them to find me and I’ll come back.”

“Okay. I’ll try to do it today. But I don’t want that bitch in?”

“Sir, please. I’m trying to treat you with courtesy and respect, and talking about our detective that way makes it difficult for either of us to do our jobs. I’m going to have to ask you to tamp that down for the sake of getting you some justice for the arson of your house.”

“Okay, okay. But I’d prefer it if she wasn’t there though.”

“We can make that happen.”

“Okay. Um, thanks, I guess. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

“Thank you, sir. Have a good afternoon.” As soon as he hung up, Michael shook his head. The guy still never mentioned his wife. And he didn’t question the idea of arson. Had someone talked to him?

Michael called the fire chief, and he said Stadler hadn’t called him. The fire marshal and the arson investigation company both said they hadn’t reported to him, just to law enforcement. Michael knew the fire department had gotten a copy of the reports from the fire marshal and the investigation company, because Carter had them too. Every time Stadler opened his mouth, he made himself seem more guilty. Why? He should know better.

And then he understood. It wasn’t about not knowing better. It was about thinking he was so fucking untouchable that he’d never be found out. “Well, I’ve got a little surprise for you, AlexStadler,” Michael mumbled under his breath. “I’ve got your number and before I get finished with you, you’re gonna be singingmysong.”

* * *

Michael toldSamara to pack up her files and go home. She could work from there, but he didn’t want her in the office if Stadler showed up. Carter told Watson to follow her home and make sure she was inside and locked in before he left.

Two hours later, he heard the front door open and a deputy named Carlin speaking. In a couple of seconds, the deputy appeared in Michael’s doorway. “He’s here, sir.”

“Thanks.” Michael pulled out the little mirror he kept in his top desk drawer and checked his hair. He straightened his badge just a little more, straightened his spine and flexed his shoulders to loosen them, tipped his head to either side to free up the muscles in his neck, then strode out to the front. “Mr.Stadler?”

“That’s TrooperStadler to you,” the taller man snapped.

“Yes. Sorry. TrooperStadler. Thank you for coming down to talk to me. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, well, let’s just get this over with. It’s a huge waste of my time.” He was trying so hard to be cool, but Michael could tell he was curious and maybe even a little nervous.

“Sure, sure. I won’t keep you long. Want a cup of coffee or a soft drink?”

“No.”

“Suit yourself.” Michael reached into the refrigerator in the break room, grabbed a soft drink, and rejoined Stadler in the hallway. “Right back here. We’ve got a nice conference room. You’ve never been in our office before, have you?”

“Why would I be? It’s a sheriff’s department,” Stadler fairly spat.

“Still, pretty nice. Have a seat. You don’t mind if I record this interview, do you?”

“No. Standard procedure.”

“Yep.” He placed his phone in the middle of the table and spoke into it. “This is Chief Deputy Michael Edwards interviewingTrooperAlex Stadler,” he said, then gave the date and time, plus the incident of which they’d be speaking and date of its occurrence. “TrooperStadler, can you confirm your presence, please?”

“Yes. This is Kentucky State Trooper AlexStadler, Post1.”

“Thanks. Okay. Just have a few questions. First, do you know of anyone who’d want to burn your house down?”

“I’m a state trooper. Probably dozens of people.”

“I’m just wondering if you can think of a specific instance.”

It was quiet for about fifteen seconds before he said, “Yeah. Maybe one or two. Busted one guy for meth a couple of months ago and he said he’d kill me. One last year, dealer, caught him with a couple of kilos of cocaine. Said the cartel would come after me.”

“Did he say which cartel?”

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