Page 100 of Forever Dead

Ray stared at him.

Selena watched the reaction carefully. There was no calculated delay that she could detect, no effort to shape surprise for an audience. His attention moved past them toward the drive, as if distance might help him fit the information together.

“At Tully’s?” Ray asked.

“Yes,” Selena said.

“Would you like me to draw you a map?” Connor said.

Ray turned to Selena. “This sheriff ain’t very respectful, is he?”

“Most people won’t be,” Selena began, “if they think you had anything to do with those murders.”

“How were they killed?”

“We’re not discussing details.”

Ray lowered his arms completely. “Jesus Christ.”

“You hadn’t heard?” Selena asked.

“No. I’ve been in the office overnight.”

Connor asked, “What office?”

“My trucking yard. Came home twenty minutes ago.”

“Anyone confirm that?”

Ray’s expression hardened again, but the earlier confidence had weakened. “Ten people. Two of my warehouse guys called in sick. I had to lend a hand to get deliveries out.”

Selena said, “Mr. Cutler, both murder locations are properties your family once owned. Both are properties you later disputed. You had motive to want them gone. Retribution for a family debt.”

Ray stared at her.

“Wait a second! I didn’t kill anybody,” he said.

“But you don’t seem that fazed by the news,” Selena said. “Why else would we be here?”

Ray rubbed one palm over his mouth. “I didn’t even connect it.”

“Connect what?” Selena asked.

“The places. My family used to own a ton of properties throughout Harlan County.”

Selena waited.

Connor said, “Who knows about your disputes?”

Ray laughed once, but there was no amusement in it. “Half the county if they care to look. Court records. Survey filings. People I argued with. Lawyers.”

“Morimer?” Connor asked.

Ray went still.

Selena noticed it immediately.

Connor moved half a step closer. “Would Walton Morimer know?”