Split Second

"Well, you never know," said King. "What may seem little to you might be really important to someone else."

The sheriff nodded but looked unconvinced. "Maybe." He stood. "Okay, I've got your statements. You're free to go."

As they started to leave, Michelle went over to the sheriff.

"The Fairmount, do you know who owns it now?"

"Last I heard it was some Japanese company bought it, wanted to turn it into a country club with a golf course." He chuckled. "I guess they didn't do their homework. The hotel has a lot of land, but most of it is wetlands. And there's not more than a handful of folks around here who know what a golf club even looks like."

"Do you know the name of the security service that guards the hotel?"

He looked puzzled. "What security service?"

Michelle hid her surprise and rejoined King and Parks.

"So how'd you get down here so fast?" King asked him.

"My men were following you."

"Take my advice, that's a waste of resources."

"Yeah, it's been pretty damn boring so far."

Michelle said, "Marshal, there's something that happened tonight. It has nothing to do with the murder of Loretta Baldwin, but I believe it has something to do with John Bruno's disappearance."

"Bruno?" Parks looked puzzled. "How the hell does Bruno figure into this?"

Michelle told him about the man she'd seen.

He shook his head. "How can you be sure it was him? You barely caught a glimpse of a man in poor light."

"I'm a Secret Service agent. Reading and remembering faces is what I do."

Parks still looked skeptical. "Well, okay, then tell the FBI. It's their case. I'm just trying to find out who killed one of my witnesses." He glanced over at King. "And also trying to keep tabs on this fellow, and he's not making it easy," he growled.

"You want me to wait around until you collect enough evidence to hang me?"

"I have enough to arrest you right now if I wanted to. So don't tempt me." He glowered at them both. "So you two heading back to good old Virginia?"

King said, "Well, I've pretty much had my fill of good old Bowlington."

29

So I guess you don't believe me either." It was early in the morning, and Michelle and King were driving back to Wrightsburg.

"About what?" King asked.

"Simmons! The man I saw in the truck."

"I believe you. You saw what you saw."

She looked at him, surprised. "Well, Parks clearly didn't, why do you?"

"Because a Secret Service agent never forgets a face."

She smiled. "I knew I liked having you around. And look, there's something else. There apparently isn't a security firm guarding the Fairmount. So the guy who stopped me was a fake."

King looked very concerned. "Michelle, it could have been the same guy who killed Loretta."

"I know. I dodged a bullet there."

"What did he look like?" Michelle described him. "Sounds like a couple billion guys walking around. Nothing distinctive."

"That was probably intentional. So another dead end? That seems to be a recurring theme in this case."

Later that morning, they pulled onto the drive heading up to King's house. When they reached the top, King's face darkened.

"Oh, hell," he exclaimed as he looked up ahead. An annoyed-looking Joan Dillinger was pacing in front of his house.

Michelle had seen her too. "The esteemed Ms. Dillinger doesn't look very happy."

"I know you're suspicious of her, but play it cool. She's one sharp lady."

Michelle nodded.

King got out of the truck and walked up to Joan.

"I've been calling you," she said.

"I've been out of town," explained King.

She started when Michelle climbed out of the Land Cruiser.

Glancing suspiciously at King and then back at Michelle, she said, "You're Agent Maxwell?"

"Yes. We actually met a few years ago when you were still with the Service."

"Of course. And you've certainly made a splash in the papers recently."

"That's right," Michelle said. "Coverage I could do without."

"I'm sure. What a surprise to see you here," Joan said as she looked at King intently. "I didn't know you and Sean even knew each other."

"It's a recent thing," said King.

"Uh-huh." Joan touched Michelle on the elbow. "Michelle, would you excuse us? I have something to talk about with Sean that's very important."

"Oh, no problem. I'm pretty beat anyway."

"Sean has that effect on lots of women. In fact, he could even be considered hazardous to some people's health."

The two women engaged in a stare-down. "Thanks for the tip, but I can take care of myself," said Michelle.

"I'm sure. But given the right opponent, you could find yourself out of your league."

"Actually that's never happened to me."

"Me either. They say the first time is truly memorable."

"I'll keep that in mind. Maybe you should too."

"Good-bye, Michelle," said Joan. "And thanks so much for letting me take Sean off your hands," she added icily.

"Yeah, thanks, Mick, " muttered King under his breath.