Fear the Storm

by Geri Foster

  "How do we prove it?"

  "I'm going to check with Townson again, talk to Burke and Spears. While in the evidence locker I called and invited Agent Billy Baldwin to come to Rainwater tonight, so we can talk without anyone listening."

  "Can I join you? What I wouldn't give to hear what he has to say."

  He pointed his finger at her, "No, I want him relaxed and thinking he's just rehashing a case we worked together. If you’re there, he might get nervous and suspicious. We don't want that."

  She understood but, still, her feelings were hurt. "Then what can I do?"

  "You and Kendall can go to your grandma’s house, get on your fancy computer and search for the off-shore account they claim your dad has."

  "Been there, done that and I couldn't find anything."

  "Don’t you own a computer with unfettered access?"

  She shook her head, then her eyes widened. "Do you?"

  He smiled.

  Chapter 18

  As he drove back to Rainwater, Lucas' mind ran on high-octane fuel. According to the evidence he saw today, at the very least, Jim Snyder didn't get a fair trial. The FBI wanted a win and the President of the bank wanted Jim to take the fall for whatever went on at the bank.

  That summed up the case perfectly.

  Now, he had to prove all that, and he planned to start with Sheriff Townson. He tried not to judge. Townson had been a good Sheriff to Rainwater for many years and few people ever complained about him. But, if Nancy had gone to him with important evidence about the trial and he didn't make that available to the attorneys and the FBI, then he broke the law.

  Lucas couldn't abide with that.

  He glanced to the passenger side of the cruiser, where Rachel sat, deep in thought, gripping the refill on her tea she got to go. Thoughts consumed him also, of how often he had wanted to gaze across and see her there beside him. For years and years. It felt like an eternity. Now, here she sat, and he wished, somehow, during all the years he had prepared better. He couldn't get her to forgive him for not being there for her when the trial took place. She had every right to be angry—he had turned from her when she needed him most.

  How did a man make up for that?

  By solving the mystery of why her dad went to jail in the first place.

  "So, we're all set for tonight? You and Kendall know what to do?"

  "Yes, but I want to hear what your friend has to say as well."

  "You will."

  "Okay, then, I'll follow your plan."

  "I told you nothing about this is easy." He smiled, wanting to kiss her. "I explained how complicated things would be."

  Her face saddened. "I know, but I can't see how on earth we can get to the bottom of all this in the short time I'm here."

  "Stay longer." When she went to object, he held up his finger. "I know you work for a company that doesn't care where you work from as long as you're on a computer."

  "Who told you that?" She angrily crossed her arms and tightened her mouth. "Oh, let me guess, Kendall."

  "She might've mentioned something like that. But, she's right. You could live here if you wanted to."

  "I don't want to. This isn't my home anymore."

  "And Dallas is?"

  Before she could say another word, he stomped on the brakes and turned sharply into a narrow alley. She grabbed the dashboard and glared across the seat at him. “What are you doing?”

  He pulled into a driveway and turned around, the front of the vehicle facing out. He nodded toward a big SUV parked in a corner parking lot, a dent on the front bumper and side of its shiny black exterior. “That looks familiar.”

  She leaned forward, straining against the seatbelt. “Is that the car that hit Kendall?”

  He took out his phone and dialed the station. “It sure the hell looks like it to me,” he replied, placing the phone to his ear. When a voice sounded on the other side, he asked, “Did you run that partial plate?”

  “Yeah, I was just getting ready to call you. Came back as a vehicle belonging to Mike Coons.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You want it picked up for impound?”

  “No, I’ll be watching it for a bit. See if he shows up.”

  Rachel had her hand on her chest, “This is more than weird.”

  “You’re telling me. Let’s see what he’s up to.”

  It wasn’t long before Coons showed, accompanied by Robert Spears. From the looks of things, they were pretty tight. This wasn’t a chance encounter.

  “That’s the bank Vice President,” Rachel said. “What’s he doing hanging around with the guy who rammed Kendall?”

  He looked at her. “Whose house had she just left?”

  She turned a surprised gaze on him. “Oh, my God. Do you think they’re in this together? That they would both hurt her?”

  “There’s more going on here than them wanting to scare her off.”

  She grabbed his shoulder, shoving him at the door. “Go arrest them.”

  “I can’t yet.”

  “But you just said that car was the one that hit Kendall.”

  “That’s right, but we don’t know who was driving.”

  She slumped back. “So, it could’ve been that John character?”

  “That’s what they might claim. Besides, I don’t want them to know we’re on to them yet. It’s best we don’t show our hand.”

  “What does this all mean?”

  “I haven’t put it all together yet, but things are sure making a lot more sense.”

  “Like?”

  “The reason Spears didn’t get involved with the trial. He basically made a statement then stood back and let everyone else do his dirty work.”

  “So, you think he’s in on it?”

  “Not sure yet. I don’t have an ounce of proof.”

  “What can we do then?”

  “We keep at it. I’m paying Sheriff Townson another visit this afternoon and Billy is coming from Dallas tonight. Maybe they can shed some light on what’s going on.”

  She folded her arms. “And what am I supposed to do?”

  “Have you forgotten your assignment already? I know looking up foreign bank accounts isn’t all that thrilling, but it is important.” At her pouty face he chuckled and added, “Oh, don’t worry, I have an assignment for you and Kendall both. Besides, she needs to be rescued from her parents’ home.”

  When Lucas dropped Rachel off at her grandma’s house, after explaining her assignment, he reached across the seat, pulled her close and captured her lips in a scorching kiss. Afterwards, she blinked and asked, “What was that for?”

  “I don’t want you to forget me.”

  She grinned, “That’s not likely to happen.”

  He stepped out and opened her door, gracing her with a chaste peck on the cheek, “Good.”

  “You did that because you know Grandma is watching, didn’t you?”

  He got back inside the cruiser grinning like he’d just won a prize at the rodeo. “Maybe.”

  With his notes tucked under her arm, she dashed inside Grandma Mercy’s house and right to her computer she’d set up in the den.

  Her mom came in. “How was your trip with Lucas?”

  Staring at the laptop screen, she replied, “It was fine.”

  “Any new developments in the relationship?”

  “No, no.” She stopped typing, looking at her mom, “What?”

  She smoothed the front of her red sweater, “I was just hoping after you two spent a little time together, you might soften your stance. That’s all.”

  Unable to explain to her mom that they were deep in trying to come up with enough evidence to get her dad a new trial, she smiled and went along with the notion. “Yes, we’re better now. Not back together but…”

  Her grandma stormed in, blustering, “He kissed her again, right out in the front yard.”

  “What?” she narrowed her eyes, “You were watching?”

  Her mom clapped her hands. “Oh, that�
��s wonderful news.”

  “Mom, it’s not like that at all. Well, not entirely like that.”

  “Sure as shootin’ was. He was all over her,” Grandma Mercy accused in a determined tone.

  “No, he wasn’t,” she fought back. “He knew you were spying on us. That’s why he did it.”

  “Humph,” she stomped out of the room.

  Rachel put both hands on her chest. “You and Grandma need to get out of mine and Lucas’ affairs.”

  Her mom grinned, then turned to leave. “I like the sound of that. Affair.”

  “Mom!”

  Covering her face, she moaned. It was a good thing she and her mom moved away. There wasn’t a house in the world big enough for all three of them.

  Straightening, she continued on the computer. After making a phone call and getting an appointment, she dialed Kendall. “Are you ready to be sprung from jail?”

  “Oh, please, pretty please with hot fudge on top,” her friend said. “As quickly as possible.”

  “Be outside. I’m on my way and we don’t have much time. We have to be in Denton in an hour.”

  When she pulled up in front of Kendall’s parents’ house, her friend practically ran to the car. Just as well, they had no time to lose.

  “Where are we off to?” Kendall asked.

  “Denton, to speak to a certain lawyer.”

  “Oh yeah, who?”

  “Pete Webster.”

  Kendall picked up the yellow legal pad Lucas had left with Rachel and flipped through the pages. “Why him?”

  “I’m hoping he can decipher that,” she nodded toward the notes.

  Kendall wrinkled her nose. “Ouch. That hurts,” she lightly touched it.

  “You still pretty sore?”

  “Especially this. If I ever find out who rammed into me, I’m going to punch them in the face and see how they like it.”

  “I think Lucas and I saw them earlier.”

  Kendall turned a questioning glance toward her. “Really? The people who ran into me are in Rainwater?”

  “Yes, but we’re not sure who was behind the wheel. The vehicle belongs to Mike Coons.” Rachel took her eyes off the road long enough to ask. “Do you know him?”

  Kendall shook her head. “Never heard of him.” She put the pad down and turned aside. “And if this lawyer can make any sense out of these numbers, he’s a genius.”

  “You never did like math.”

  “No, math didn’t like me.” She shrugged, “And I suck at it.”

  “Well, according to Marcus, this guy is brilliant and knows all about banks and how they keep tabs on their money.”

  “Don’t computers do that now?”

  “I’m sure they do, but we’re going back eight years.”

  “There were computers back then, too.”

  “Yes, but apparently the Bank of Rainwater hadn’t gotten on a system yet.”

  “Probably because old man Burke was too cheap to spend the money.”

  “There is a lot of money in changing from a manual system, when you consider the training, equipment and upkeep.”

  “Okay, so they chicken scratched everything. Is that what they claimed proved your dad stole from the bank?”

  “I’m assuming so, because that’s what Lucas came out of the evidence room with.”

  She turned left, and Kendall asked, “Where are you going? Denton is the other way.”

  “First we have to stop and convince Nancy Wigan to go with us. She’s probably the only one who was there and understands how these numbers come together. Don’t you think Mr. Webster will have a few questions for her?”

  “You’re taking Nancy to Denton to help find proof of your dad’s innocence?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, good luck with that.”

  Chapter 19

  Lucas pulled into the retired Sheriff’s front yard and killed the engine of the cruiser. He didn’t like what he was about to do. It turned his stomach but, if the old Sheriff wasn’t on the up and up, he had no pity for him. A lawman was the heart of a community, and those representing the law had to be truthful.

  Looking around at the idyllic surroundings, he wondered if he was getting a glance at his own future. The only difference, he hoped, would be Rachel at his side. He loved this part of the country with its spaciousness and quiet. It was just far enough outside of town, without being in the country, but also close to all the conveniences. When he considered his place, warmth started in the center of his chest and through his entire body. He loved where he lived. Loved the old charm of the ranch and all the land.

  No fancy place for him.

  As he climbed out of the car and shut the door, Sheriff Townson didn’t wait for him to get to the front door before coming out. Instead, he stepped out on the porch with a coffee mug in his hand and his shirt unbuttoned, exposing his white T-shirt. “What brings you back?” he asked.

  The way the wind kicked up, he wondered if the Sheriff might not be more comfortable inside, but he made no offer. “I had a few more questions. One in particular.”

  “Oh, yeah. What’s that?”

  “Did you give Nancy Wigan’s note to the DA or the FBI?”

  Towson wrinkled his brow and frowned, in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “She claims she told you there was no way Jim Snyder could’ve taken any money from the bank because there wasn’t any missing that she could tell.”

  He rubbed his chin. “I think I recall her saying something about that, but I didn’t pay her no never mind. Burke reminded me that she was just a clerk. What did she know, anyway? I’m not taking a clerk’s word over the FBI.”

  “Why not?”

  He took a step closer, narrowing his eyes, his face red with indignation. “Listen, the FBI proved that Jim did it. That’s enough for me.”

  “My gut told me something wasn’t right back then and I know you must have felt the same. So, why did you go along with arresting Jim so easily?”

  Condescending now, Townson sucked in his stomach and pulled up his pants. “I felt no such thing. You were sweet on Jim’s daughter. We didn’t figure you’d understand. Turns out we were right.”

  That answer was a long way from satisfying Lucas. “Who’s we?”

  “Well, me and Burke and Spears.” He struggled to hold Lucas’ glare. Failing, he glanced away and scratched his balding head. “When they came to me, they both warned me to be careful what I said to you or you might warn Jim and they’d never recover the money.”

  He knew that was weak, but he let it slide. “Whose idea was it to call in the FBI?”

  Townson lifted his chin, his blotchy face brighter. “That was Burke. All by himself. He said he owed the board of directors that much.” He appeared relieved to be off the hook. “That sure pissed off Spears.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, I think he wanted to wait until our case was a little more solid before calling in the Calvary.”

  Lucas felt sick. “Who brought you the case? Burke or Spears?”

  “They both came in, but it was evident right away that Spears was the brains.”

  “But, Robert Spears didn’t even testify.”

  “No, he didn’t. I get the feeling Burke was afraid if he didn’t put on a good show, he’d lose his job. After all, the board members were watching, as well as the whole town.”

  “And the VP was willing to sit back and watch the fireworks.”

  Townson shrugged, suddenly looking older and more tired. “I guess.”

  “What did you think when you were told Jim had embezzled all that money from the bank?”

  He pinched his bottom lip with his fingers and studied the planks of his porch. “I didn’t believe it.”

  “What convinced you?”

  “I guess it was Spears.”

  “How did he do that, exactly?”

  “Well, he had all these papers and he showed me a lot of numbers and nothing added up.”

  Lucas, stil
l standing close to his cruiser, took a step forward. “But, you couldn’t tell heads or tails from those figures and accounts, could you?”

  Townson tugged at his pant legs and plopped down on the porch steps, pulling his shirt tighter around him to ward off the chill. “Nah, not really, but when he told me the bank had lost two hundred and fifty thousand dollars I felt I had to do something.”

  “Even if it was wrong.”

  Townson’s eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. “Now, listen here. I did what I thought was right. Besides, once the FBI stepped in I felt confident they’d prove Jim didn’t do it.”

  “But that didn’t happen, did it?”

  He lowered his head, “No, that’s not what took place at all.”

  “You wanted me to arrest Jim Snyder because you didn’t have the nerve to betray a friend like that.”

  “I just never felt he did it. That’s all.”

  “I’m glad you couldn’t find me that night because I wouldn’t have done it, Willie. I’d never put handcuffs on Jim Snyder.”

  He let out a big sigh, “I know that.”

  “What about Nancy?”

  He looked up at that, confused. “Who?”

  “The bank clerk, Nancy Wigan.”

  “Oh, well I went to give that note to the FBI when Spears came in. I mentioned it to him, he said he’d take care of it. He had a meeting later with that FBI Agent Bruce Longley.”

  Lucas remembered him as being the person in charge for the FBI’s case. For no real reason at all, he never did like him. Not his arrogance, his self-confidence or his conviction Jim Snyder was guilty.

  “It might surprise you to learn Spears never passed that note along.”

  “I know. I asked Longley later if he got it and he said no, but it wouldn’t matter anyway. She wasn’t that important to the case.”

  “Do you remember Mike Coons?”

  Townson’s brushy brows drew tight. “Not that well. Seems he showed up here for a couple of years then moved closer to Denton.”

  “I saw him and Spears today. They looked pretty chummy.”

  “There is no law against that.”

  “It is if Coons’ vehicle was involved in the hit and run that put Kendall Cochran in the hospital.”