A Southern Noir: Deception by Any Other Name

Chapter 17

It was around eleven Monday morning when my phone rang. I went to the office this morning to finish the insurance company's paperwork when Danny called me. "Mr. Landon, I've been released from the police station. Is there any way you can come and get me?"

"Danny, where are you? What station are you at?"

"I'm at the North Precinct on 31st Avenue."

"I know where that is. Alright, I'll be there soon."

When I arrived, Danny stood outside the Precinct alongside Detective Palmer. I hoped to avoid any more questions from the police about my case, but not much of a chance for that now.

"Mr. Landon, how are you doing today?" Palmer asked.

"Fine, Danny let's go I have a meeting this afternoon."

"What's your hurry, Mr. Landon?"

"I have a meeting with another client this afternoon, is all."

"It's interesting, isn't it that Mr. Patterson called you instead of his wife to pick him up."

"Well, his truck is still at my office."

"True, but his wife could have picked him up and all three of you could have sat down and talked this whole thing out. Wonder why he didn't want to do that?"

"Got me, but maybe I'll ask him on the way back."

"You do that, Mr. Landon, and if you feel like sharing, I would appreciate it."

"You got it."

I got in the car, thankful I remembered to leave it unlocked for Danny. Except him thanking me for coming to get him, we drove back in silence for most of the way. When we pulled into the parking lot at the office, I finally broke the odd silence. "Danny, what did you tell them?"

"I did what you said to do, Mr. Landon. I called my lawyer. They asked me a bunch of questions but I didn't confess to anything."

"Well, that's good, Danny. Now there's something I need to know. Sarah Freeman handed you an envelope a week ago. What was in it?"

"Envelope?"

"The Sunday before last, you went to the gym. Sarah was there, and you two went to your truck. Sarah's car was parked nearby, and she gave you an envelope. What was in it?"

"I don't remember."

"Danny, I think you do. There was something important inside that envelope; now what was it?"

"Mr. Landon, please."

"There was something important wasn't there. Danny, the cops let you go because they don't have enough evidence to arrest you, but they will keep digging. Believe me, Palmer will find it if you are trying to hide something. Your wife will likely give it to him if what you told me about her is true. Now you have to decide who you want to find that information first, me or the cops."

"Mr. Landon, I can't."

"Danny, we are past that point. Either you tell me everything or I can't help you."

"Okay, it was the contact information of one of Sarah's friends."

"One of her friends? You mean a woman friend?"

"Yeah. I met her through Sarah a few weeks ago at a competition. We tried to keep it low-key. You know, we only met a few times while Sarah was with us. We met in public and got to know each other."

"What's her name?"

"Hannah Foster."

"So you were having an affair."

"No, I swear we were just talking. We've never been alone together, and I've never so much as held hands with her."

"But you want to."

"I don't know. Maybe. Look, I've been thinking about leaving Stella. She's so mean to me, and Hannah is nice to me."

"And you don't think that's cheating?"

"I don't know, Mr. Landon. I've only called her once or twice."

"When?"

"Thursday and Friday. We only talked for a few minutes, and we didn't make any plans to meet up."

"Is that who you were with yesterday when I called?"

"No, I was with a guy named Mitch Sadler in the gym."

"That still doesn't put you in the clear for the murder. The problem is the timing; no one can back up your story. There was enough time for you to leave your house, kill the Freemans and get to the gym. The time gap between when you left your house and arrived at the gym is what's keeping you on the police radar. And when they find out you have a girlfriend..." I stopped because I could feel my blood pressure rising. How could anyone be this stupid? "Is there anything else you are not telling me, Danny? Like what was in the envelope?"

"Pictures of Hannah and me from the competition. Sarah loves photography, so she took them for us. I swear, Mr. Landon, that's everything."

"Fine. By any chance, did Sarah ever mention anything about her husband's business dealings?"

"Not really, no. I mean, there was this one guy she told me about that showed up at her house looking for Greg, but that's it."

"A guy? What guy?"

"I don't know his name. Sarah told me that he showed up looking for Greg because he needed access to a job site."

"Why didn't he call Greg?"

"I don't know. She said he kind of freaked her out."

"Let me guess, Sarah didn't give you a description of our mystery man?"

"No."

"Alright, Danny. Do you have a place you can stay for a few days? Just long enough to clear up this mess, you're in?"

"Why can't I go home?"

"You're about to leave your wife for starters. Then there's the fact that the woman who introduced you to your new girlfriend and her husband is dead. Plus, you might be next."

"Do you think Stella is trying to kill me?"

"I'm not sure, but now might be the time to start the ball rolling on that divorce. At best, you're in an unhealthy marriage."

"I've got a friend in McAdory with an extra room."

"Call him, and tell him you need a place to crash. I'll drop you off; then, I have a call or two to make."

I drove down Interstate 459 to the McAdory exit. The man was waiting for us when we got to Danny's friend's house. Thankfully, he wasn't married and could let Danny stay indefinitely. I told Danny to lay low for now and not make any unnecessary calls or be out in public.

Once I got back on the interstate, I called Shannon. "Hey, I've got another favor to ask you."

"Look, Hunter I've done enough favors for you recently. I'm going to lose my job if you keep this up."

"I know, Shannon, but this is important. I need to know if any open investigations involve Knight Brothers Construction."

"You want me to check in on open investigations?"

"Shannon, a man's life may be on the line here. Please, I'm asking you to do this for me."

Silence followed. "Okay, I'll do it, but this is it for a while, Hunter. I mean it. I need this job."

"Thanks, Shannon. I owe you."

"Yes, you do."