That would mean Jamie Lynn would leave, he realized with chagrin. But as long as she went away well and happy, that would have to suffice.
One more conclusion made him begin to smile in spite of knowing how badly he was going to miss her. His late father would have absolutely loved the intelligent, capable, loyal young woman and would have wasted no time telling her so.
That, Shane would do before she left town. As long as he took care to be certain she understood he was speaking on his dad’s behalf rather than expressing a personal opinion, there should be no problem. At least not for Jamie Lynn.
He hoped against hope that he’d be able to carry it off without showing emotion because it was starting to occur to him that her departure was going to leave a void in his life as bottomless as the enormous sinkhole at Grand Gulf Park.
* * *
Fidgeting beside him, Jamie Lynn cast a sidelong glance at Shane as he drove. “Thanks for coming with me to talk to Williford tonight.”
“You had doubts?” He arched an eyebrow.
“Not about you. I am surprised he was so quick to agree to talk to me. How much farther is it?”
“We’re almost there.”
Most of her questions had been asked and answered when Shane had spoken with Pastor Malloy again. It made sense for R.J.’s former defense attorney to offer to meet in a neutral place, since he was apparently frightened of being discovered. And, that being true, he probably knew who was behind the sheriff’s untimely death.
Would that be too painful for Shane to hear? she wondered. Or might he feel relief? Either way, they would soon have their first real chance to learn the truth, and her insides were pitching as if she were clinging to the seat in a rowboat caught in a hurricane.
Approaching a wide, modern bridge, Shane began to slow his pickup. “Remember Lake Norfork? The entrance to the campground and day-use facilities is right across the bridge.”
Jamie clasped her hands in her lap to still them. This meeting was an answer to her prayers, yet she dreaded hearing more about murder. Such things reminded her that no one was truly safe anywhere, not even lawmen, and where there was corruption in the system, justice was a mere fantasy. The concept was unsettling, particularly since her brother was experiencing it firsthand.
Sunset painted the sky a vivid orange, with rays of pink radiating to throw color and shadows over the empty picnic area. An arrow pointing to a boat ramp led them down a side road where a single, dark sedan waited.
Jamie leaned forward and pointed. “There. Parked behind those trees. See it?”
“Yes, barely. That must be him.” Shane let his truck idle and held back.
“Go on.” She was adamant.
“Let’s take our time. If we rush him he may get spooked and drive off.”
“Okay. Then let’s show ourselves so he can see who we are.” Without hesitation, she jerked open the passenger door and jumped to the ground. “Come on.”
Shane killed the engine and joined her. “You are the most cantankerous, foolish...”
“Hush. And smile,” Jamie warned, waving. “We want the man relaxed. Look friendly.”
“I am friendly,” Shane countered. “It’s not his actions that bother me, it’s yours.”
“Nag, nag, nag.” She knew her flippant attitude didn’t fit such a serious situation but couldn’t help herself. It was a matter of resorting to wry humor or collapsing into a useless heap of jangled nerves. She chose humor.
Shane slowly raised both hands to shoulder level, palms toward the partially hidden car. He elbowed her. “Show him we’re not armed.”
“Right. I didn’t think of that.”
They were about five yards away when the driver’s door started to open. A black-clad figure emerged. “That’s far enough. Identify yourselves.”
“I’m Jamie Lynn Henderson,” she called back. “If you’re Max, I came to talk to you.”
“Who’s he?”
“Shane Colton.” She edged closer to the parked car. “He had to drive me because somebody wrecked my truck.”
“I’m not surprised,” the man replied. “All right. You can come closer.”
When they were face-to-face, Max eyed Shane. “You’re Sam’s son, right?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder you’re mixed up in this.” His eyes kept darting from side to side, then over their shoulders as though he expected an attack at any moment.
“Before I tell you anything,” Max went on, “you have to promise you won’t reveal your source.”
“How can we prove...?” Jamie fell silent when she saw the abject fear in the older man’s expression. He’d obviously lost a lot of weight since the trial photos and had let his hair go gray, but there was no doubt he was the person she sought. Living this close to Serenity, she wondered how he’d managed to keep his identity secret—unless he’d lied and had actually moved much farther away. That would make more sense.