Murder in the Smokies - By Paula Graves Page 0,35
other folks when he’s this way.”
“What about therapy? Is he still getting therapy?”
“I take him once a week. It’s all he’ll agree to, and he fights them all the way. I get the feeling the folks at the rehab place would be happy as pigs in slop if Cleve never came back, but I’m not ready to give up on him yet.”
Sutton stared at the other man, not sure what he was feeling. Guilt, certainly, but was there also a little envy? Envy that Seth Hammond was playing the role of Cleve’s son, doing the things Sutton should have been doing? “And he never asked for me?”
“I reckon he knew you wouldn’t come.”
“Nobody gave me the chance.”
“I called—”
“You could have kept at it. Sent a letter or, hell, you could have had Delilah tell me.”
“I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.” Seth’s voice lowered a notch. “You made it real clear you weren’t coming back here and Cleve was a big reason why. I wasn’t sure draggin’ you back here kicking and screaming would have been any good for him. He needs somebody who actually gives a damn, not somebody who feels guilty and obligated.”
Sutton wanted to argue. He wanted to slap that mildly scolding look off Seth Hammond’s face and tell him to get the hell out of his house. But it wasn’t his house. And apparently, for the past five years, at least, Seth had been a far better son to Cleve than Sutton ever had.
“I know he didn’t show it, but I think he was real glad to see you.”
The only thing worse than Seth’s disapproval was his compassionate pity. “Give me a break. I saw how he looked at me.”
“Why did you come here today, Sutton?”
Sutton thought about lying, but he realized the truth might get him a lot further with Seth. Like a lot of con men, Seth was as good at spotting a lie as he was at telling one. “I was following you.”
Seth’s eyebrows notched upward a moment before his expression went neutral. “Should I be flattered or take out a restraining order?”
Sutton didn’t answer.
“It’s about the murders, right?”
“You work at a place where three of the four victims worked.”
“So, naturally, I’m the prime suspect.”
Sutton wished he could say yes, just to wipe the annoyed look off Seth’s face. What did he expect? He’d happily followed in Cleve’s scam-pulling footsteps, taking to the confidence game as if he was born for it. “Your hands aren’t the cleanest in the county.”
“I haven’t pulled a con in years. And I’ve never been violent. You know that.” Seth smirked. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
“You’re awfully interested in the murders. I mean, you went to a lot of trouble to get in contact with me about what you knew.”
“Mr. Davenport hired me when a whole lot of people wouldn’t have let me in the door. He took a chance on me, and if I can do anything to protect him and his business—”
“Sounds personal.”
“Like I said, he took a chance. Not many would’ve.”
“Did you hear there was another murder yesterday?”
Seth looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I knew about it before lunchtime. You know how this town is.”
“Did Marjorie Kenner ever work at Davenport Trucking?”
“No, as far as I know, she retired from the school and took to tutoring out of her house to make a little pocket change.”
“Could there be any connection between her and anyone at the company? Maybe she rented a truck?”
“I don’t think so.” Seth’s brow furrowed. “I’ve been working there a little over a year, so she might have done it before my time. But why would a serial killer target someone who just rented a truck?”
Damned good question, Sutton had to concede. April Billings had been twenty years old. Marjorie Kenner had to be in her late fifties at the very youngest. “Did you know either of the other two women who died?” he asked Seth.
“Amelia Sanderson I knew. She worked in the office until her death. I also knew Coral Vines from growing up, remember? Ah, maybe you didn’t. She was younger than us and by the time she came to high school, you were already halfway out of town. The women at the office talked about her all the time. Apparently she went off the deep end straight into a bottle after her husband got killed in combat in Afghanistan.” Seth’s eyes narrowed slightly as he lifted his gaze to meet Sutton’s, a hint