was considering they’d been done on purpose.
Malcolm came into view. He was standing on a ladder. His workman’s overalls were spattered with red paint and a ball cap covered his dirty blond hair. Extra rollers along with a bucket of paint rested on a tarp nearby. He lifted a hand in greeting. “Hey, Bennett.”
“Hi, Malcolm. Sorry to drop in like this, but I need to speak to you.”
Emilia had wanted to come along, but Bennett convinced her to stay back. He was friendly with Malcolm. The two had been bull riders together, and there was a rapport between them. The questions that needed to be asked were sensitive. Bennett hoped Malcolm would feel more comfortable being honest if they were alone.
Malcolm descended the ladder, and it rattled with his heavy weight. “What can I do for you?”
Bennett had twisted and turned different ways to approach this in his mind. He decided to ease into things. “Ignite Development. The corporation is a client of yours, correct?”
“Yes.” Malcolm reached for a cloth and wiped paint off his hands.
“Ignite bought the property previously owned by Derrick Jackson. I’d like to request access to conduct a search on the land.”
Malcolm didn’t miss a beat. “Does this have anything to do with the murdered woman y’all found in the park today? I heard on the news that it looks like the ones from last year. Speculation is that Derrick wasn’t the Holiday Slasher after all.”
“Derrick was working with a partner.”
Sheriff Hanks would give a news conference in an hour regarding the case. Bennett saw no reason to hold back in his conversation with Malcolm, since it would be public knowledge in short order.
Malcolm’s eyes widened. “Interesting. Pop will be upset to hear that.”
Bennett had no intention of bringing Sheriff King into this conversation. He steered it back to the matter at hand. “There may be evidence on Derrick’s old property that could aid our search for his partner.”
“I don’t see how. Derrick’s cabin was torn down shortly after Ignite bought the property. The owner wants to develop the land into an upscale residential neighborhood.”
“Access would be helpful, even if the cabin is gone.”
Malcolm’s gaze narrowed. “You’re looking for more victims?” He waved a hand. “Never mind. You can’t tell me that. My dad was sheriff long enough for me to know better than to ask questions about an active investigation.”
“Who is the owner of Ignite Development?”
Malcolm bent to retrieve a roller from the tarp. “You know full well I can’t tell you that. It’s covered under attorney/client privilege. I will forward your request to my client, but don’t hold your breath, Bennett. I don’t think he’ll agree.”
“Why not?”
“He doesn’t allow anyone on the land for any reason. Not even me. The only reason I know the cabin is torn down is because the client told me it was.”
Bennett rocked back in his heels. “And you don’t find that suspicious? That he won’t let anyone on the property?”
“It’s weird, sure. But I’ve had stranger issues with clients. I recommend you get a warrant.”
Bennett didn’t have enough probable cause for a warrant. A judge had already turned him down. Now Malcolm had too. Did his friend really have a client? Or was Malcolm the true owner of Ignite? Bennett had no way to find out.
It was time to switch gears. Bennett kept his gaze locked on Malcolm’s face. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you.”
“Go for it.” Malcolm steered the paint roller through the liquid in the tray.
“Are you Derrick Jackson’s brother?”
Malcolm froze. A flush rose from his collar to stain his cheeks, but he didn’t look at Bennett. “Who told you that?”
“It doesn’t matter. Is it true?”
Malcolm rose. His expression was hard. “I thought you were my friend. I see now you’re nothing more than a rumor monger. My parents are Larry and Carol King. I don’t have any siblings. None. You got that?”
“Malcolm—”
“Shut it, Bennett. I’m not an idiot. My father was the sheriff of this town for thirty years. I know exactly what you’re doing. Don’t think for one second you are going to pin these murders on me.”
He flung the roller at the barn. It hit the wall of the building with a thump and red paint spattered everywhere. Bennett had never seen his friend so angry or rattled. Malcolm was known for being calm and controlled, even under stressful circumstances. It’s what made him an excellent bull rider and, later, attorney.
Maybe Bennett didn’t know Malcolm as well as he thought.
Malcolm’s