expression hardened just a jot, Pine observed, and he sat back in his chair.
“Barry Vincent? I seem to remember that name from somewhere.”
Pine told him about Myron Pringle breaking up a fight between Vincent and her father.
“Yes, yes, I remember something like that, too. I think Myron might have mentioned it back then. But to answer your question, I didn’t know this Vincent person. I’m not sure, but I don’t think he was in town long.”
“But why would he come here in the first place? Where did he come from?”
“I have no idea on either count.”
“He seemed to have it in for my father. For a guy who didn’t live here long, and who didn’t work at the mine, what would his beef be with my father?”
“I guess you’d have to ask Vincent.”
“I would, if I knew where he was. It’s been nearly thirty years.”
“Well, that is a puzzle.”
He fell silent and they spent a few beats staring at one another.
“You know, you really do look remarkably like your mother.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was clearly meant as one.”
An awkward moment passed.
He said suddenly, “Would you like to go out to dinner tonight? In Atlanta?”
“It’s a one-hour drive from your place. Long way to go to eat.”
“It’s a nice day and the evening forecast is for clear skies. The Aston Martin hasn’t been out in a while. We could head out at six, then home by eleven or midnight. I can pick you up at your place.”
She considered this. “Okay. But I’ll come over here. It’s on the way. And in the interest of full disclosure, I might have some more questions for you.”
“And hopefully I’ll have more answers for you than I did just now.”
Pine left and passed Jerry at the front door. The other guard had also turned up and was watching her closely.
“Mr. Danvers, nice to see you again.”
Jerry bristled at her remark. “Right.”
Pine looked at the other man. “And you’re Tyler, right?”
He grinned and put out his hand. “Tyler Straub. Nice to formally meet you, Agent Pine.”
Pine shook his hand and said, “Well, it’s nice to know one of you has manners.”
“You’re leaving?” Danvers said, scowling.
“For now. But I’ll be back tonight. I’m going to dinner with your boss in Atlanta.”
He looked over her clothes. “I hope you have something else to wear. Mr. Lineberry only goes to the best places.”
“Hey, Jer,” said Straub, frowning. “Let’s dial it back. No reason to go down that road. She’s cool. And she’s friends with the boss. So don’t rock the boat.”
Pine looked at Straub. “Good advice. I’m not the enemy here.”
Straub slowly nodded. “Mr. Lineberry thinks very highly of you.”
“Well, it’s reciprocated.”
“Just remember to dress up,” said Danvers. “Mr. Lineberry will be.”
“Don’t worry, Jerry, I’ll knock your socks off tonight.”
He looked at her as though that would be absolutely impossible.
“And it never hurts to smile,” Pine added as she walked to her truck.
On the way out she could hear Danvers giving Straub grief for standing up to him.
Jack Lineberry had an interesting household, she thought.
Chapter 59
ON THE WAY BACK to Andersonville, Pine called Max Wallis.
“I need to get a line on a guy named Barry Vincent who lived here back in the eighties. And I was wondering if you could help.”
“Okay. What does this pertain to? Could he have something to do with the killings?”
“No,” replied Pine. “It has to do with my sister’s disappearance. I…I was hoping that you could do me a favor.”
“Well, considering you’ve been helping me, how can I refuse,” he said good-naturedly.
“I really appreciate this, Max.”
“Sure thing. What do you want to know about him?”
“I want anything you can find out about him, including his picture.”
“I’ll see what I can do. I should be able to run something down on him.”
“That would be great.”
“One other thing. Laredo called me and said you want to put a pin in Cy Tanner?”
“Look, that’s my opinion, Max, but this is your show. If you want to execute the search warrant and haul him in, I can’t stop you.”
“But you think it’d be the wrong move?”
“I think it would be the wrong move right now. That may change.”
“Okay,” he said doubtfully. “What are you up to today?”
“I’m going to dinner with Jack Lineberry in Atlanta. We’re driving over in his Aston Martin to some place fabulous, I’m sure.”
“Well, ain’t you high and mighty,” said Wallis in a joking manner.
“But aside from the nice car and food, I want to find out what I can about that