Outlaw Mountain

“From the sound of it, I’d say your daughter was involved with a whole group of people,” Joa

“Other than Dena? Not really. I’m sure you can ask her yourself if you need to, but I don’t know how soon that’ll be. According to Ed, the first thing that happens at the center is the addicts go into detox for a while-for several days at least. They can’t have any visitors at all until they complete that portion of the treatment. Do you need the address?”

Joa

“Just a minute. I wrote them down, but I put the piece of paper in my purse.”

While Maureen went to get the information, Joa

“Do you happen to know where Dena lives?” Joa

“Kino Road,” Maureen replied. “Just south of Ramsey. You’re not going to go see her, are you?”

“I may,” Joa

“If you do, please don’t tell her I said anything. I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have.”

A car-an old T-Bird-pulled into the yard and stopped. “That’ll be Derek,” Maureen said. “He drives himself to and from school. Please go now, Sheriff Brady. I hope you won’t mind if I don’t introduce you. I’m sure you understand. I just can’t upset him any more right now.”

“Of course,” Joa

In the end, there was no problem with introductions, because once Derek Brainard came into the house, he slammed the front door and disappeared into the depths of the house without ever showing his face in the kitchen. Joa

Driving slowly and checking house numbers, Joa

All at once, the threads of the two separate cases came together for Joa

CHAPTER NINETEEN

As Ross Jenkins disappeared into Dena Hogan’s house, Joa

Sure, there were clear conflicts of interest involved. Even in small-town legal circles people would frown on an attorney who, while representing one party in a divorce proceeding, was also best friends with the opposing spouse’s mistress. But that called for disciplinary action from a bar association and nothing more, especially since wife, mistress, and attorney were all long-term friends with a supposedly “close” relationship that dated all the way back to girlhood.

All those things were bothersome-worrisome, even-but not cause for involvement by a local law enforcement agency. Still, Joa

What’s the relationship between these two? Joa

The door opened once more and again Ross Jenkins emerged from the house. This time he crammed one more, smaller, suitcase into the trunk, then slammed the lid shut before he tossed a heavily loaded garment bag into the back-seat. As he returned to the house once again, Joa

She wanted to confront them sooner than that, without the necessity of what might later be characterized as an illegal traffic stop. The problem was, she was there by herself. Approaching a pair of suspected killers alone was downright foolhardy.

After first slipping her cell phone into the coat pocket of her blazer, she thumbed the talk button on her radio. “Dispatch,” she said. “Sheriff Brady here. I need backup.”

“Where are you?” Tica Romero asked.

“Kind Road, just south of Ramsey. It’s a residence that belongs to Rex and Dena Hogan.”

“That’s the same address I found for you a few minutes ago, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Two suspects are loading a vehicle. I want to keep them from leaving. How long before you can have another unit here?”

“We’re short-staffed in that sector right now, Sheriff Brady. The closest county unit is over at Palominas, finishing investigating a multi-car accident. Deputy Pakin can probably be there in half an hour or so. Do you want me to ask for mutual aid from Sierra Vista PD?”

“Yes,” Joa

The door to Dena Hogan’s house opened again. This time two people walked out and headed for the Concorde. The woman was wearing a coat and carrying a purse. That meant the loading was done. The suspects were leaving. There would be no time to wait for backup, none at all.

“I’m going to have to go in alone,” Joa

Quickly Joa

“Hi there, Ross,” Joa

From the dismayed look that passed across his face, it was clear that Ross Jenkins was startled to see her. he recovered quickly, however.

“Well, hiya there, Sheriff Brady,” he said easily. “We were just leaving. If you don’t mind, we’re a little pressed for time at the moment.”