“But Hicks wasn’t in yet that morning,” Sam agreed slowly.
“And the BBB complaints I saw were from people who couldn’t take delivery of their new cars the same day because they hadn’t gone through dealer prep.” Alex frowned. “What if Hicks wasn’t trying to plant drugs in the Lincoln after all? What if he was trying to take them out?”
“Holy shit,” Sam exclaimed. “Could the drugs be coming into the country in Odell’s cars?”
“Most Lincolns are manufactured in Mexico now,” Crae offered. “Along with a lot of other car makes.”
“And over ninety percent of the cocaine coming to the US from South America travels through Mexico to get here.” Sam shook her head. “This could be huge. I need to ask our friend Mr. Hicks a few more questions.”
Thirty minutes later, Sam was back. “Hicks was smart enough not to want to take the fall for a major distribution charge. We finally got him to admit that a regular supply of drugs comes in on new cars delivered to Tillman Motors from Mexico. He’s been pulling them out as part of ‘dealer prep’ and passing them on to a contact in Lawton. He was quite vocal that Odell wasn’t paying him enough to deal with this shit, which is why he started sneaking out a little bit to sell on the side.”
“How the hell did Odell get hooked up with drug smugglers?” Alex asked.
“I’m sure the DEA will want to know that too. To’mo’s calling the office in Oklahoma City.” Sam sighed. “I’ve got to fill in Chief Cowart. Hicks told us there was a delivery of new cars due to arrive at Tillman’s this afternoon. If we can get the DEA to move fast enough, we’ll meet their agents there to seize it and search it. If we find drugs the way Hicks claims, it should be enough to arrest Odell and have Ricky Lee released.”
THEnext four hours were the longest of Alex’s life. Crae spoke with a lawyer from Lawton who Polynomial Software’s attorney reached out to, but he confirmed Sam’s assessment that there was little he could do to get Ricky Lee released until a bail hearing was scheduled on Monday. He offered to drive to Freeland and pressure the police with a claim of illegal search without probable cause, though he thought the chance of success was slim. Crae told him Ricky Lee would get back to him, though Alex prayed the results of the DEA search would make that unnecessary.
By eight o’clock that evening, Sam and To’mo were back, though they were closeted with Chief Cowart for some time before they were finally able to speak with Alex and Crae. “DEA found twelve kilos of cocaine in the cars coming off the trailer,” Sam confirmed. “Odell tried to claim he didn’t know anything about it, but when we filled the feds in on Hicks’s statement and Odell’s insistence on ‘dealer prep,’ they took him into custody. They’re bringing him to Oklahoma City to face charges of trafficking of a Schedule II controlled substance.”
“What about Ricky Lee?”
“We’ve convinced Chief Cowart that the only thing Ricky Lee’s guilty of was taking possession of the car before Odell could have the drugs removed from it. They’re bringing him up from holding now.”
“I can’t believe Odell was involved in a smuggling ring. Why would anyone want to smuggle that many drugs into a small town like Freeland?” Alex asked.
“For just that reason,” To’mo answered. “Small towns receive a lot less attention than bigger ones.”
“If Jordan Hicks hadn’t gotten greedy and started siphoning some off to sell locally, we might never have suspected anything,” Sam added.
“At least now we know why Odell wanted to buy the library land—and how he could afford to pay for it,” Alex said. “If he could expand the dealership, he’d have a reason to bring in even more new cars.”
Finally Chief Cowart entered the squad room with Ricky Lee in tow. “You’re free to go, but if you want my advice, don’t stick around.”
“I’m not planning on it.” Before Alex could let that sink in, Ricky Lee turned to Sam and To’mo. “I understand I have your efforts to thank for my release.”
“Alex made the connection that led us to Odell,” Sam told him. “We just did the legwork.”
“I am sorry you’re not planning to remain in Freeland,” To’mo told him, offering his hand. “Remember, you have family here. When you return, I will be pleased to make you known to them.”
Ricky Lee clasped it and then approached Alex and Crae. “Can we get the hell out of here?”
Sam nodded. “I’ll start on the paperwork to have the Lincoln released, but it might not happen until tomorrow.”
“Better it than me,” Ricky Lee muttered.
“It’ll be a bit tight, but we can all fit in the truck.” Alex hugged Sam. “Thank you for everything.”
“Just doing my job.”
ITwas quiet in the truck until Alex parked outside the hotel.
“I’ll let the lawyer in Lawton know we won’t need him.” Crae climbed out and headed inside.
“I don’t suppose you’ll feel up to cooking dinner tonight,” Alex said after another silent moment passed.
“I never made it to the damn IGA.” Ricky Lee turned to face Alex. “I meant what I said. I’m heading back to Portland as soon as I get everything here wrapped up.”
He’d known this was coming, but Alex still found it hard to draw a breath through the pain in his chest.