Page 99 of Forever Dead
Ray gave her a humorless smile. “Jack and I weren’t friends.”
Connor said, “You threatened him.”
Ray’s attention snapped toward him. “According to Jack.”
“That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, Ray,” Connor said sternly.
“It means you can’t prove it,” Ray said. “I’m a busy guy. You want anythin’ else?”
Selena let the two men hold each other’s attention for a moment.
Ray had clearly done this before. Lawyers, surveyors, county officials, perhaps even deputies before Connor’s time. He gave short answers, volunteered nothing, and treated every question as an attempt to take something from him.
She shifted the cane.
“What about Eleanor Marsh?” Selena asked.
Ray turned back. “What about her?”
“You argued with her over her property line?”
“Plenty. When her family bought the place from my great-grandfather, they paid way less than they should’ve because my great-grandfather didn’t have the exact property lines surveyed. He just signed over the deed, which should have gone for much more. The Marshes took advantage.”
“And you want that land back?” asked Connor.
Ray shook his head. “No. I want the market value for the portion they didn’t pay for.”
“Did you ever threaten Eleanor?” Selena asked.
“No. Not my style to get in an old bird’s face.”
Selena didn’t like his disrespect. Not one bit. “Were you angry when the county ruled against you?”
“Sure.”
“Angry enough to keep pursuing it?”
“I appealed once,” Ray said. “Lost. Then I moved on.”
Connor said, “That doesn’t sound much like you. Not the kind of weakness Morimer deals with.”
Ray’s jaw moved. “You come here to ask about land or take cheap shots?”
Selena raised one hand slightly, interrupting before the conversation hardened further.
“Mr. Cutler,” she said, “Eleanor Marsh was murdered.”
His irritation remained, but he did not answer immediately.
“A second woman was murdered at the Tully farmhouse,” Selena continued. “Both properties were connected to protests made by you.”
Ray’s arms loosened.
The change was different this time.
“What?” he said.
Connor studied him. “Patricia Vanes, a registered nurse. Her body was found at the Tully property this morning.”
