Burns shook his head. “Niecy says they aren’t going to do any kind of service or memorial until after their mother’s trial. She doesn’t want to deal with the publicity, and I don’t blame her. What those girls need more than anything is some stability.” He rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “And time.”
“Makes sense,” Jason said. They shook hands, and Burns held on to Jason’s. “Remember what I said. I think it’s great that you’ve come back to reconnect with Niecy and Nola. God knows they need some family. But don’t let Jana sucker you into taking her case. She did it, Jason.”
“You really think so?” Jason asked.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind.” He let go of Jason’s hand. “And I bet, if you really think about it, there’s not one in yours either.”
Jason decided to walk down Buck Island Drive instead of trying to navigate the trees and landscaping between the two backyards. It was only a few hundred yards between the two houses, but Jason’s legs felt heavy as he neared the Waterses’ estate. The boat trip and the lunch with Jackson Burns had been exhilarating and stressful, and he was beginning to come off the high of being on the windswept lake. It was 3:30 p.m., and he still had a lot to do.
And much to think about.
As he approached the driveway, he heard the sound of a car coming from behind him. He turned and saw a black Mustang that was slowing down. As the passenger window rolled down, Jason saw a man behind the wheel.
“Jason Rich?” the stranger asked. He was in his late twenties, if Jason had to guess, with a close-cropped haircut. He wore a navy T-shirt, and Jason could see the veins snaking over his muscles as his hands gripped the wheel.
“Who wants to know?” Jason asked.
“You don’t know me?”
Jason shook his head. “Should I?”
The man looked back at the road. “You will.”
“What—？”
“Soon,” the man said, and the car lurched forward. The vehicle turned around in the Waterses’ driveway and then raced back toward Jason.
He stopped in his tracks, unsure of whether he was going to have to dive out of the way, but the man just waved as he headed back toward the highway.
What the hell? Jason wondered as he tried to calm his breathing. His adrenaline had spiked, and his senses were on high alert. For all the glamour of the houses that lined the waterfront, Buck Island Drive wasn’t the most impressive of streets. In fact, there was barely enough room for two vehicles. He started to walk again, picking up his pace. As he entered the driveway, he only saw his Porsche and was relieved.
Though he wanted another chance to talk with his nieces, his interaction with the Mustang driver had spooked him. Had the man been following him? And if so, why?
Marshall County was a weird place, Jason knew. His father used to say that 95 percent of the area were good, law-abiding folks. But that other 5 percent could best be described as “outlaw.”
Jason took in a deep breath as a steady rain began to fall. He hopped into his Porsche and fired it up, exhaling slowly in the small confines of the vehicle. He’d been back home less than twelve hours, and the overriding vibe had been fear and dread with a side of guilt.
Who was that guy? he thought as he pulled back onto the blacktop.
30
Tyson Cade watched his rearview mirror as he skirted Buck Island Drive and turned onto Highway 431. The Mustang, like all his vehicles, was a loaner. Tyson never drove the same car more than a few times without switching it up. He was a man of many looks. Sometimes he shaved. Sometimes he didn’t. His hair vacillated from high and tight to long and loose, depending on the season. And his cars and boats vacillated from big to small, luxurious to old and rickety. About the only common denominator was speed.
Tyson liked to move fast. He thought he’d scared the lawyer, but he didn’t want to do anything but plant a seed. The real party would come later.
Though he thought there was a chance that Jason Rich would come to the correct conclusion on his own, it wouldn’t hurt to impress upon him the significance of his decision.
Tyson grabbed his cell and punched a button.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve got a tracker on Rich’s car.”
There was a momentary pause. “Good.” A couple of seconds of silence and then Kelly Flowers added, “When?”
“Tonight,” Tyson said.
“Do we need reinforcements?”
Tyson visualized Jason Rich’s soft, pampered face. “No, but let’s have some muscle available just in case. Comprende?”