Shallow Creek

Brendan paused.  What didn’t he know about Michelle?  Thankfully his unfortunate love life wasn’t on trial here.

“Just that we were friends in high school and then she married my brother,” he said guardedly.  “Not much other than that.  I haven’t really seen her for the last nine years.”

“Okay, Mr. Rhodes.  You suspect your brother because he lives beyond his means, basically?”  Brendan had nothing to say to that.  It was thin reasoning, to be honest, but deep down he knew he wanted Grant to be into illegal shit.  He wanted to bring his brother down.  “Lots of people rack up large amounts of credit card debt to live a lavish lifestyle,” Spee suggested.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter why I checked him out, ma’am.  He was there, and that’s enough justification for me.”

Spee regarded him for a moment.  “One problem with your story is that Grant wasn’t at that farm,” she said.  “And neither of the two men we picked up claim to have any knowledge of your brother.”

“You’ve already played the Grant card,” Brendan said evenly.  “You suggested him as my target earlier, so you know he was there.”

“Very good, Mr. Rhodes,” Spee said with a nice smile.  “But he still wasn’t there when we arrived.”

“Maybe someone tipped him off.”

She watched him closely, her eyes more grave now.  “Maybe someone did.  Like his little brother who showed up right before the cavalry rode in?”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“Do I?”

“Quit playing games.  Why would I warn Grant?  How would I even know the police were coming down on him last night?”

“Deputy Armstead is an old friend of yours, correct?”

“Marcus didn’t tell me shit about this.  He’s the one who told me to quit snooping around and leave it to the DEA.”

“I’d take his advice, if I were you.” Spee shifted gears.  “Why would your brother want to, allegedly, falsify titles under your name?  Do you guys have a history?”

“How long have you been in town, Agent Spee?  A month?”

“Long enough to hear some stories about the kid who ruined the town’s only shot at a State Championship run.”

“You spent much time in Texas?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Do you know how much high school football means to a little place like Shallow Creek?  There’s not a hell of a lot else going on around here.”

“I get the gist of it,” she said.

“Then you should understand why my brother hates me.”

Someone rapped on the door and Spee went to answer it.  Another plainclothes cop stood on the other side and beckoned her out.  Without another word to Brendan, she went into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

What a joke this was.  They obviously had nothing solid on him, he knew that much, but her mention of Marcus struck him as odd.  If they were worried about a leak, he guessed the DEA would first look at the local cops assisting in the investigation.  It was too easy to pin the blame on the other guy.

Spee marched back into the room, but didn’t take a seat.  Brendan took this to mean he was about to be escorted from the room, either to a cell, or to the street as a free man.

“How did you get out to the farm?” she asked.

“I rented a Ford Ranger and stashed it in the bushes.”

“Okay. You’re free to go.”  She held the door open and motioned for him to get out.

“That’s it?”

“Sure is.  My associates found and verified the truck.  Hiding the truck suggests you weren’t exactly invited out to the party last night.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” He stretched his stiff neck.  “Can your associates return the truck for me?  Would save me some time, and I don’t really want to be seen out in that area again.”

“Sure.  I don’t really want to see you out there either.”

Brendan stood, but before he left, he had one more question.  “Did the two guys you arrested see me?”

“No, I don’t think so.  It’s possible they saw someone getting loaded into the ambulance, but you were surrounded pretty well, so I doubt they saw you.”

That was good enough for him.  When he stepped past Spee, she put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“Just because they probably didn’t see you, doesn’t mean you should keep pursuing this little quest you’ve got playing out in your head.”  Brendan said nothing.  “It won’t end well.  These people will kill you if they catch you. Let us handle it.”

“You guys have done a bang-up job so far.”

She didn’t rise to this, but passed him her card.  “Call me if you think of anything else that can help.  My cell number is on the back.”

“Sure thing, Casey.” Brendan pocketed the card and continued past her.

“Do I need to detain you for your own safety?” Spee called after him as he walked to the exit.

“No, ma’am,” Brendan yelled back, noticing Marcus coming in through the front door as he approached.

The two men crossed paths and made eye contact briefly.  Brendan stopped and watched his friend stride right past him.

“Hey—”

But Marcus ignored him and kept on walking.  Brendan took the hint and stepped into the West Texas sun.

Chapter 37