Page 47 of Tastes Like Misery

The only good thing about these parts was the sense of community when there was a threat. Petty crimes against each other were forgiven, but God forbid an outsider did anything criminal, the good citizens were more than happy to speak up. It just came with a lot of insignificant details my team had to sift through.

My team was the best, finding not only the names of the three men, but also the location where they seemed to disappear. Too bad for the suspects, I wasn’t one to believe in disappearances. I’d find them.

We were dealing with a woman, Vivian Parker, who could change her looks just enough to throw people off. According to the car salesman, she was also quite the actress, he just didn’t know it. It wasn’t too hard to match the signature to Miss Parker’s handwriting, and we finally had the make of the vehicle they bought right after we released her information. Granted, her identity was all we knew then. It wasn’t until the tip line became bogged down with calls identifying the three associates in the sketches that we found who she was with.

Dane Barrow, former champion fighter from Las Vegas. His previous manager, Oliver Thornton, and trainer, Finn Hale. All three were confirmed to be missing from Las Vegas and Sheriff Hinton was able to have a few witnesses confirm their identity with the pictures I’d sent over.

Sorting through all the tips coming in, we assumed they were also responsible for a robbery at a casino and once my team caught up with them, we would do everything we could to prove it. The truck seen in the area, there was no doubt I was dealing with a group of dangerous criminals traveling from state to state and picking off small town businesses.

Despite my abhorrence for criminals, I had to admit it was brilliant. They seemed to find the lowest risk with a high payout. Granted, they would walk away with much more if their little gang targeted big banks, but I assumed they knew they’d get caught with the higher security.

It didn’t matter how much they’d stolen, they would still get the same prison time, and more for the murders they committed. I made it my mission to bring them down before any more lives were lost. Money could be replaced, lives could not be.

The police captain of this city hadn’t changed a bit in the past fifteen years since I’d left. Still on a power trip, he managed to delay us with his self-importance and long-winded instructions to his officers. All this after he kept me for hours with questions and his attempt to belittle my authority.

I sent my team to scour the many tourist accommodations in the area and I tasked myself with accompanying the local officers to speak to the businesses in the area. I knew they needed supplies, specifically food, whether it be from a restaurant or a grocery store. The big hit was the grocery store where Oliver Thornton was seen. I watched the security footage and identified him, walking down the aisles as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Openly flirting with the cashier, the one who identified him, he either didn’t think we were on to him or he didn’t care.

Focusing on the footage from the parking lot, I didn’t find the Ford Squire they were known to be in. The camera angle wasn’t right, and he disappeared off the screen before getting to his vehicle. Watching the footage again, I realized there wasn’t any sign of the vehicle entering the parking lot.

Taking the footage to my experts, I had them enhance the grainy footage and study every piece. That’s when they spotted his blond hair in the window of a large black Denali. An older model with tinted windows.

Finding this vehicle was how I ended up standing across from my slimy ex as he typed on his computer. Remaining professional despite his eyes roaming over every inch of me, I stayed stoic. His desk was filled with pictures of his wife and kids. I almost felt pity for the woman he married, especially when he made his desire for me known. But I had no doubt she knew what she was getting into when she walked down that aisle. Bill Fisher never hid his cheating ways, and I doubt he kept it in his pants now.

“Here it is. The customer paid cash. The name is Clyde Barrow,” he informed me as the printer started up behind him.

I didn’t answer, shocked one of them used the name of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. It was their way of saying fuck you to law enforcement. “You didn’t question the name?” I asked wryly, knowing Bill never had a head for more than throwing a football and getting into the panties of all the cheerleaders. All while we were together. The star quarterback was now a balding, slimy salesman with no future.

His expression told me all I needed to know, and I took the paperwork without bothering to explain. Turning to the officer beside me, I ordered him to get the rest of the details and call it in to the Chief.

Dialing the number to my techs, I didn’t start with any salutations, “Get over to the Murfreesboro Auto Center. I need the security tapes stat.” I made another call to headquarters, relaying the new vehicle information.

Leaving, my phone rang. “Bailey,” I answered as I pushed out the door into the stifling southern heat.

It was one agent tasked with canvassing the local accommodations, “Bailey, we have a lead. It seems they may have stayed in a cabin on the east side of town. I’ve got a team ready to go in. There aren’t security cameras and the woman who checked the occupant in has vision problems and can’t confirm their identity. She said it was a friendly couple, and the woman had a Texas twang. The male didn’t have an accent. Paid in cash and they drove a black SUV. She assumed they were on their honeymoon because they asked for the most private cabin available.”

It wasn’t much, but it sounded right. I wouldn’t get my hopes up, though, knowing it could be a dead end. “Text me the address and I’ll leave now.”

When we entered the area, I could see why they chose it, if it were them. It was secluded, set back from the others, with the forest surrounding the back. The untrimmed maple tree and bushes provided additional coverage in the front for any vehicles parked there.

“How long did she say they rented it for?”

“A week. They came in two days ago and she hasn’t seen them since, aside from the vehicle coming in and out a couple of times.”

“Alright, everyone in position. I’ll knock and see if someone is home. Team B to the back,” I ordered, knowing there was no justification for a warrant at this point. We had permission from the owner to enter, but I needed to knock first.

Not surprisingly, no one answered, and I tried the knob, finding it unlocked. With my gun ready, I carefully entered, Team A following behind me. It only took a few minutes to clear the small cabin which was void of all life. No luggage remained and there were only a few scattered items left on the floor, as if someone left in a hurry.

“Who the fuck warned them we were coming?” I asked out of frustration.

“Bailey?” my longtime team member questioned.

“Someone warned them we were coming. Find the mole,” I grumbled before shouting orders to the rest of the teams. Evidence needed to be cataloged and bagged, and a determination made if this was in fact the criminals we searched for.

When my eyes zeroed in on a blonde wig, the same color as described by the first car salesman, I knew this was the right place. He’d described her as a modern looking Dolly Parton and there was no doubt this wig gave her the look.

Picking up my phone, I called the chief, “Get a net out. They’re on the run. I need to know which direction they went.”

Chapter 29

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