Page 29 of Night Hawk
“Sure,” Clay said. “But he has to put us on his visitor list, and we need to be approved. That takes time. Time we don’t have. And even if we did get approved, he isn’t likely to agree to a visit from us.”
“He’s still in county lockup. Let me see what I can arrange.” Trent stood. “But don’t hold your breath. His lawyer might stand in your way.”
“We’d appreciate any help you can give,” Toni said.
“I’ll be right back.” Trent strode out of the room, his black boots squeaking on the tile floor.
“He seems like a stand-up guy.” Toni’s focus still lingered on the door where Trent had exited.
“That’s what Blake says, and if Blake approves, you know he’s topnotch.”
An older woman with silvery blond hair poked her head into the room. “I’m Lorraine, Sheriff Winfield’s assistant. Can I get you some coffee or something else to drink while you wait for him?”
“Not for me, but thanks,” Clay said.
Toni gave her a practiced smile. “I’m good too.”
Lorraine nodded. “Clay, since you work in the same building as Blake, could you tell him we miss him and say hi.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and make sure to tell him Trent is doing a fine job. Blake should be proud of the way he brought him up through the ranks.”
“He’ll be glad to hear that,” Clay said, getting the idea that this woman might be a gossiper, which he could use to his advantage. “Say, you don’t know anything about Jason Rader, do you?”
“The guy they locked up for trafficking those poor girls?” She tsked. “I saw his name often enough when he was a teenager. He was in and out of juvie for all kinds of offenses. His mother split when he turned sixteen, and his daddy, Fritz, didn’t give a hoot about what the kid got up to. Fritz was too busy drinking his life away over losing Ursula. Not that she was such a catch. Beautiful woman, but she liked to party and had a reputation with men in the area.”
Lorraine had just saved Clay hours of research. “Fritz still live around here?”
“Sure thing. Right out on the highway heading back to Portland. East side of the road. Can’t miss his house. Back when Prince was a superstar, Fritz painted it purple and hasn’t ever changed it. House sits back from the road, but not far enough to hidethatcolor.” She looked like she wanted to tsk again but held back.
“Was the mother ever seen again?” Clay asked.
“Nope. Fritz said she left him and they never reported her missing. She didn’t have any relatives that anyone knew of, so there was nobody else to request we look into it. Still, if you ask me, there was something fishy going on there.”
“Like what?” Toni asked. “You think Fritz might’ve killed her?”
Lorraine shrugged. “He has a mean streak. Wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
“Who was sheriff when she left?” Clay asked.
“Raintree was in office.”
“Is he still living?”
She shook her head. “Passed away nearly ten years ago, but Sheriff Ziegler’s still going strong, and he was a detective at that time so he might know more.”
“You telling tales again, Lorraine?” Trent’s deep voice boomed behind her.
She spun. “Nothing I wouldn’t say in front of your face, you know that.”
“I do indeed, but it doesn’t mean it’s something I’d want you to tell people.”
She waved a hand. “Best get back to my desk.”
She disappeared, but the sound of her heels clicking on the tile rang in the air.
“She’s been the admin here for so many years that she sometimes thinks she runs the place. Who knows. Maybe she does.” Trent chuckled, and it was clear he was fond of her. “Wish I had good news on Rader, but as suspected, the lawyer’s controlling his visits.”
