Page 28 of Trust No One

“Right now, he’s drunk in public. And I suggest you don’t push. You’re skating close to aiding and abetting.” Judson walked to Gabe’s side. He tapped on the glass. “Get out.”

Gabe looked at me. “I didn’t do anything.”

Until Pete Miller, I thought I was savvy enough to spot liars. Shifting glances, changes in voice tone, sweat on a brow. I wasn’t as clever as I’d thought, and I clearly didn’t sniff out lies so well.

And this looked bad for Gabe. “Go with Judson,” I said. “I’ll follow.”

Judson opened the passenger-side car door. “Get out.”

Gabe squared to Judson—arm cocked.

Judson was faster, twisting him against the car. “Do you really want to do that?”

“No.” The word choked out.

“Gabe, go with him,” I said. “Don’t make this worse.”

Gabe struggled, shouting. The deputy rushed in. They cuffed him and loaded him in the cruiser.

“Let me go!” Gabe shouted.

Judson slammed the cruiser’s back door. He spoke to the deputy and crossed to me.

I angled my face up toward his. “I want to talk to him first.”

His jaw pulsed. “You should’ve called me the instant you spotted his vehicle. You’re out of your jurisdiction, Counselor.”

“I’m his friend.”

“Gabe’s not the kid from high school. He’s been arrested twice for being drunk in public in the past year. Drowning in debt. He’s circling the drain.”

“What’s this got to do with Maria?”

“She dies. You take control of the estate next week on your thirty-fifth birthday. His minor daughter is your heir. You die someday soon. He controls her and the money.”

“I don’t believe that.”

He pressed another theory. “You let the Durants live rent-free for all these years.”

“Times are tight for them. Molly needed a steady home. It costs me nothing to let them stay.”

“Now that you’re back, real estate agents are sniffing around. They’re ready to break up the land. Sell it to the highest bidder. Your dying would be convenient.”

“I’ve had no formal meetings.”

“Some have reached out to you, right?”

“How do you know?”

“Small-town living. Word gets around.”

“I haven’t said I’m selling.”

“Gabe doesn’t know that.”

“You’re overthinking. Gabe’s not a 3D chess player.”

“He might not be good at it. Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try.”