Page 14 of Lawman’s Witness

After a beat, she said, “If she’s right?”

“I believe it’s definitely worth investigating further.”

She let out what sounded like a nervous laugh. “You sound like Amy Sue. I wouldn’t be surprised if your paths cross soon. She’s gone to Billings determined to get justice.”

“I’m sure you told her what a bad idea that is?”

“Once my sister makes up her mind about something, it’s next to impossible to dissuade her otherwise,” the attorney said. “Good luck trying when you see her.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sitting in his patrol SUV, Russ had just disconnected from his call with the lawyer when he saw her sister drive up. He was still upset with how his visit with Jack Marshall had gone and his conversation with attorney Josie Brand Lander.

He shouldn’t have been surprised as he watched Amy Sue park and get out of her SUV to head toward the front door of the dealership. He hadn’t expected their paths to cross so soon.

“This can’t be good,” he said to himself and, grabbing his Stetson, climbed out from behind the wheel to try to run interference.

Just inside the door, he spotted her looking at a black Cadillac convertible sitting in the showroom. “I took you for an SUV or pickup driver,” he said, coming up beside her.

She turned, startled to see him. “Detective Tate.” The woman got a lot into those two words. She thought that he didn’t believe her, that he wasn’t trying to find out the truth, that Jack Marshall was untouchable even from the law in this city.

She was right on only one of those. He was sticking his neck out and trying not to get fired because it would make it harder for him to prove Jack Marshall was a murderer and get the justice the dead woman deserved—if she was right about the man.

“Looking for a new car?” he asked.

“Sure, why not?”

He chuckled as he saw her gaze drift in the direction of Marshall’s office. He noticed that the man had closed his blinds after their earlier visit, an indication he didn’t want any more visitors today. Russ figured Amy Sue was the last person he would want to see and hated to think how ugly things could get. He didn’t want to have to arrest her after Marshall called the chief.

“Can I interest you in lunch?” he asked and saw her surprise. He lowered his voice, moving a little closer. “I suspect we might be here for the same reason. Also you look hungry.”

She frowned, took another glance at the closed blinds of Marshall’s office and said, “I could probably eat something.”

Once outside, he said, “Let’s take your rig.”

“Don’t want to be seen with me?” she joked.

“Not for the reasons you’re thinking,” he admitted. He could well imagine what his boss would have to say about it. Wouldn’t look good, the detective and the eyewitness fraternizing, even if there was no official case.

It wasn’t until they were seated at a nearby fast-food restaurant in a back corner spot away from the other patrons who might come in that she asked, “Were you protecting me or Jack Marshall back there?”

“You. I’d already talked to him about being on your ranch. I left him in a bad mood. I figured you were safer having lunch with me.”

“He denied it, didn’t he?” She sighed and picked up her menu, not waiting for an answer.

“Your sister sent me the photos, but I’d like to see the ones you took.”

She peeked out from behind the menu, eyeing him for a moment before she put it down and pulled out her phone. It took her only a few moments to call up the shots she’d taken. Without a word, she handed him the cell.

The first picture was of vehicle tracks. They could have been of any one of a dozen from Marshall’s lot, so not helpful.

But the boot prints were definitely interesting. Those could be matched to a pair of Marshall’s boots. Unfortunately, all it would prove though was that he’d lied about going out to her ranch, which Russ already knew. Amy Sue had seen him when he’d pretended to shoot her.

He handed back the phone as the waitress came by to take their orders. He doubted Amy Sue was no longer hungrier than he was, but they both ordered burgers loaded and iced tea, hers with lemon.

“What were you going to do at the dealership?” he asked after the waitress left to turn in their orders.

Another sigh, before she said, “Rattle his cage, why? Were you going to arrest me?”