The Bitterroots (Cassie Dewell #4) - C.J. Box Page 0,41

any minute. Imagine having to go through that with your only daughter.”

“I understand,” Cassie said.

“John Wayne wanted to find Blake and blow his head off,” Wagy said. “I was able to calm him down, but I had no doubt he’d do what he said he’d do. That’s one reason we moved on Blake right away and found his car at the motel and arrested him in that room. It was for Blake’s safety as much as anything.”

“Did you contact the press to be there for the arrest?” Cassie asked. “I saw video clips of it on the internet.”

Wagy bristled. “Are you accusing me of grandstanding?”

“Not at all,” Cassie said again. Wagy was much more thin-skinned than she thought he’d be.

“No, somebody must have tipped them,” Wagy said. “There’s always a concerned citizen or two listening to their police scanner. That’s probably why they were there. My guess is the word was out about the assault even though we were trying to keep it under wraps. This is a small town with lots of gossips in it, and, you know, the Kleinsasser name gets everyone’s attention.”

“I can imagine it does,” Cassie said.

Wagy made a show of looking at his watch. It was a signal to Cassie that the interview was about to conclude.

“Another state of mind question,” Cassie said. “What about Blake? How did he react when you arrested him?”

“Are you asking if he proclaimed his innocence?” Wagy asked with a cold grin.

“Yes.”

“Of course he did. He said he didn’t have any idea why we were there. And then he turned into the asshole that he is. He started throwing his weight around and said his lawyers would have him out of jail by the next morning and that he was going to sue me and the county. He blamed his brothers and his dad for everything.”

Wagy said, “He was inebriated. Drunker than hell, and he smelled like he hadn’t had a bath in a while. It was a real pleasure throwing him into our vintage slammer. I’m sure you’ve seen our jail.”

“I have.”

“It’s a real jail,” Wagy said. “Not like one of those cushy country club motel rooms some counties have. When you’re in there and that steel door closes behind you you know you’re actually in jail. That was the first time I think Blake actually took it seriously. He sobered up in record time. And he thought he could talk his way out of it all the way up to the preliminary hearing. You’ve met him, right?”

“Just yesterday,” Cassie answered.

“He’s a piece of work, isn’t he?”

“How do you mean?”

“Such an arrogant prick,” the sheriff said. “He thinks he’s better than everybody around here—that he can talk his smooth New York bullshit and do whatever he wants. He’s always been like that.”

“So, you’ve known him a long time?” Cassie asked.

Wagy caught himself and sat back. He didn’t want to respond. Cassie found that interesting.

“I think we’re done,” he said.

“I’d like to request a copy of the DNA report from Missoula,” she said. “We’ve got the Christmas tree test but not the match. And I’ll probably have additional questions. Can I meet with you again before I go back?”

“Set up an appointment,” Wagy said.

“What about the DNA match?”

Wagy sighed theatrically and reached for his hat. He was in a hurry to get to his make-believe meeting.

“I’ll authorize Linda to pull the documents and make copies,” he said. “We do charge for them, though. I hope your employer will reimburse you twenty-five cents a copy.”

“Thank you,” Cassie said, standing up. “I’d also like to review the physical evidence. You know, so we can compare the items to the list submitted to the court.”

Wagy squinted. “You want to handle the evidence? Sorry, no can do.”

“Not handle it,” Cassie said. “Sheriff, I know how this works. I’d never dream of contaminating evidence. I simply want to photograph the items with my cell phone camera so Rachel has a record of everything. I anticipate that she’ll show the photos to Blake in an effort to persuade him the case against him is as solid as it appears.”

Wagy glared at her, obviously suspicious of her request.

“You can view it,” he said finally. “But only with my people standing right there with you. And if you reach for anything I swear I’ll arrest you for tampering with evidence and you’ll get to see our jail from the inside out. Just like Blake did.”

“I understand,” Cassie said.

“We’ve got nothing to hide from the defense,” Wagy said. “My