“I’d always heard that but didn’t know if it was true.”
“It is, at least in my situation,” Jude replied.
Royce tapped a long finger over his lips before lowering his hand. “Hear me out. What if the evidence does exist, but your dad squirreled it away so good that they couldn’t find it? Once you started asking questions, Mercy got worried you might’ve found it. You move back to Savannah, and not long after, Felix picks up the same trail and follows it.”
Jude heaved a deep sigh. “It’s possible, but I don’t know where my father would’ve hidden it. My mother never received a bill for a storage unit or a safe deposit box from her bank. I can’t think of any place that would’ve allowed my dad to pay for storage for nearly two decades in advance.”
“There were no hidden safes or rooms in your parents’ home?” Sawyer asked.
Jude shook his head. “I can’t even prove Mercy was responsible for me losing my job or was the one who blew up Felix’s car.”
“I thought you said he called and taunted you,” Royce said with a scowl.
“He asked if I’d received his message,” Jude replied. “The man is no fool.”
“Our only hope at this point is to tie the person who set the car bomb to Mercy,” Sawyer said. “We’re pulling CCTV and video footage from the surrounding businesses. Hopefully, they caught something.”
“We’ll interview everyone from Spencer Auto Mall who touched your car,” Royce added.
“Start with Todd Dartmouth,” Felix said. “He’s the person who drove it when he dropped it off and picked up the loaner.”
Felix doubted Todd had the skill to make a car bomb. He recalled how the guy couldn’t make the simplest dishes in home economics and bumbled his way through their various science classes. Besides, Todd didn’t have the balls to drive a car he knew was a ticking time bomb. Not many people would take that chance. Still, it made Felix happy to know Sawyer and Royce would make the bully squirm as he’d done to so many other people.
“Jude, I’ll make some discreet calls to see if I can find out what happened to your friend Alejandro,” Sawyer said. “It’s not uncommon for undercover officers to lie low for a while.”
“Thanks,” Jude said. “I appreciate it.”
Royce looked up from the notes he’d taken and pinned Felix with a dark look. “Now, tell me the parts you’re leaving out.”
Felix held up his hand in surrender. “I’ve told you everything I know.”
“Me too,” Jude said.
“Fucking reporters,” Royce groused as he shook his head. “Listen, guys. I know how exciting this investigation must seem to all of you, but it’s obviously dangerous. Leave it to the professionals to investigate.”
“Isn’t he GBI?” Jude asked, pointing at Jonah.
“He is,” Sawyer said. “He’s not assigned to work on this case. If that changes, he won’t be able to share the details of the investigation.”
“Right, Big Guy?” Royce asked.
“Yep,” Jonah said with an easy smile.
“What about you, Jacobs?” Royce said. “You have anything you want to share with the rest of the class? You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“It’s never a good sign,” Sawyer said.
“Both of you are so annoying,” Rocky replied. “If you’re not making kissy faces at one another, you’re tag-teaming some unsuspecting schmuck who’s only trying to do his job.”
“You’re laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?” Royce asked.
“He does sound like a private eye from an old movie.”
Rocky smirked and flipped them off.
Royce and Sawyer stood. “Don’t investigate this any further. There must be dozens of other cases you guys can look into for your podcast that won’t result in your death.”
“Of course,” Felix said.
“They’re not going to listen to us,” Sawyer said to Royce.
Royce looked around the room, making eye contact with each of them. “Nope.”
After Royce and Sawyer left, Felix looked at Rocky, Jonah, and Avery. “Well, are we going to walk away from this or keep digging?”
Rocky’s wicked grin was Felix’s answer. “I got the names of the Second Chance Program enrollees working at the Savannah dealership.”
“Marla the Magnificent is processing them now,” Jonah said. “We’ll tell Royce and Sawyer if she uncovers anything pertinent to their investigation.”
“What are you going to do about your car?” Avery said.
“I reported the claim to my insurance company this morning. My agent said my policy will cover the loss and even provide a rental car until they make an offer. There’s more to consider here than just the car. What about my injuries and destroyed phone? Why should