Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (27 page)

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Josh opened the door for Beth to enter the interrogation room. Matthew Collins sat at the table tapping his fingers against the table as if impatient. His wrists were handcuffed and his legs were shackled to the chair for their protection and a guard stood directly behind him. She told herself,
He can’t hurt me.

It wasn’t the first time she had been in an interrogation room and now that she had started her career as an attorney, it definitely wouldn’t be her last. She hated the gray walls and stark furniture. It was all too cold and callous. The feeling of despair reeked off the drab walls. Her eyes shifted toward the two-way mirror and she wondered if anyone would be listening and watching them. She hoped not. She was nervous enough and didn’t need an audience.

She slapped her notepad on the table and slipped into the metal chair. Shaken to be in the same room with Collins, she folded her trembling hands in her lap. Josh plopped into the chair next to her. His presence helped to ease some of her anxiety.

“It’s about time.”

Matthew Collins had aged over the six months he had been incarcerated. He was thinner and completely bald. Once a vibrant man, now he looked old and defeated. The orange jumpsuit was much too big and hung on him like a feed sack. A deep scar cut across his cheek. She had been informed one of the inmates had cut him during a fight. The small scar on his forehead reminded her of the night he almost succeeded in kidnapping Nina. The police cruiser he was driving smashed into a tree causing his head to slam against the steering wheel.

Face bright with anger, Beth snapped, “Believe me, I can’t bear to be in the same room with you, let alone talk to you. You had better have some prudent information to make this distasteful visit worth my while.”

“I have some information I’m willing to share if I can get a reduced sentence and transferred somewhere besides this hellhole.” The chains around his ankles jingled when he shifted in his chair.

She felt a thrill dance up her spine. Could he be ready to divulge where Randal was hiding? Just maybe their nightmare was about to end. Josh hissed, “Let’s hear what you have to say before we make any deals.”

“I will only give the information I have to Beth and in private.” His eyes stopped on Josh.

Josh stood up so quick the metal legs grated against the tiled floor. The sound caused Beth to cringe. “No, way. She’ll not be left alone with the likes of you.”

“I have information that you will find helpful, and I will only talk to Miss Reynolds.” The room went deathly quiet.

Seething with anger, Josh stepped behind her. She could feel his heat against her back. “I refuse to leave. You have already made two attempts at escape.” His voice rose. “Without a doubt your son Randal orchestrated both failed attempts.”

Beth turned in her chair and peered up at him. “It’s okay Josh, he is handcuffed and shackled. He cannot harm me.” She would go to just about any length to find out Randal’s location. Even if it meant being alone with Matthew Collins, a man she loathed.

“No!”

By his expression she knew it was useless to try to sway him. She stood and grabbed the notepad. Clutching it in her arms, she replied, “Good day, Mr. Collins. I hope you survive the rest of your stay in a Federal Correctional Institute.” She opened the door and was just about to step over the threshold.

“Wait.”

She turned around so fast she almost bumped into Josh. Seconds ticked by as they both stood staring at Collins waiting to hear what he had to say.

He shrugged, looking miserable and nervous. His eyes shifted to Josh. “You can stay but the guard must leave. What I have to say can’t leave this room.”

Josh sent a curt nod to let the guard know he would no longer be needed. Before he left, he checked Collins’ restraints to make sure they were secure. The moment the door closed behind the guard, Beth snapped, “I don’t have all day. What information do you have?” She slipped back into the chair. Instead of sitting, Josh chose to hover behind her.

Collins smiled and Beth thought she would be sick. She would love to put her fist in his face. If Nina would have been forced onto the helicopter Randal used to make his escape, she would now be in Mexico or worse dead. She wasn’t sure what Randal planned to do with her sister.

“First I want to be transferred to the state prison near Taylorsville.”

Josh circled the room clearly agitated. “You haven’t been in the Federal Correctional Institute but six months. Surely, you’ve made some great, trustworthy friends.”

Eyes glittering with anger shifted to Josh. “You know how much I’m hated here. I was sheriff of Taylorsville. I put some of the inmates in prison myself.”

The pulse in Josh’s throat jumped. “You should have thought about the consequences before you broke the law. You should never have helped your son kidnap Juan and my sister-in-law.”

“Do you want to hear what I have to say or not?”

Beth leaned on her elbows. “Sure, if you’re ready to tell us where Randal Collins is hiding.”

“How many times must I tell you, I have no idea where my son is? I haven’t heard from him since he flew away in that helicopter.”

She knew better. Someone on the outside had assisted him when he tried to escape. Deep down, she felt that someone was Randal. Some way he was communicating with his son. “Then we have nothing to discuss.” Again Beth stood intending to walk out the door.

His hand automatically reached out to stop her, but the handcuffs prevented him from touching her. “Please, listen to what I have to say. Randal had a partner.” He spoke quickly fearing she would leave before hearing what he had to say. “I’m willing to tell you everything I know if you can get me transferred. I’ll be closer to my wife and she can come for visits.”

Beth plopped back into the chair across from Collins. “What kind of partner?”

“Randal was into more than just growing marijuana. He was also manufacturing meth.”

Josh took the chair next to Beth. “We have found no evidence linking him to manufacturing meth.”

“How long did it take the FBI to discover he was growing and distributing marijuana?” His eyes moved to Beth. “He had been planting it on your land for years. You were lucky you caught him in the first place. My son is very smart.”

“You mean evil don’t you? He murdered people, some of them only children,” Beth whispered. Not only was Randal Collins responsible for killing an undercover FBI agent, but he murdered seven members of the Mendez Cartel. One of the deaths was a fifteen year old boy. Her stomach muscles clutched at the needless slaughter.

Collins squared his shoulders. “Do you want the information or not?”

Josh’s look was lethal. “Give us a name.”

“Do you think I was born yesterday? Not until I have transfer papers in front of me.”

She shook her head. “You have to give us something. I’m not about to leave without some proof.” She handed him the notepad. “Give us a name or some proof of the mysterious partner or there is no deal.”

The pen flew across the paper as Collins quickly scribbled something on the tablet. He pushed it back to Beth. She read the addresses. “What is this?”

“Three locations where the meth is being manufactured. I think that should be enough proof to get me sent to better accommodations. If you want the man at the top, I’ll be expecting a reduced sentence.”

The thought of him not paying for his crimes caused an uncontrollable shiver. She pressed a hand to her churning stomach. Josh took the tablet and skimmed over the addresses. “Do you recognize any of these addresses?”

After a quick glance at the scribbles, she replied, “The first one was once an old produce warehouse. It’s been empty for years.” Beth and her sisters had gone to the warehouse many times with her father when she was a little girl to sell produce. It closed after the farmers’ market was started. “It will be easy enough to check out if they are meth labs. We’ll know by the end of the day if he is lying.”

“I’m not lying. Go to the locations, see for yourself.” A spark of fear in his eyes, he continued, “I don’t guess I have to tell you how important it is you only divulge where you got this information to your Uncle Tate. If the man at the top discovers I have talked to the FBI, my life won’t be worth a hill of beans.” With a wary glance at the two-way mirror, he continued, “I don’t feel safe. I don’t know who I can trust.”

“You should have trust issues. Your son had two of your own deputies on his payroll. If you can’t trust your own men, who can you trust?”

“If word gets out that I’m even talking to you, I’ll end up with a shank in my back.” Sweat pearled on his forehead. “Most of the men on my cell block are in for life. If given the order, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me. They have nothing to lose.”

Beth and Josh exchanged a look as they both stood. She could see the worry on his face knowing Collins could be killed before they got the name of the man responsible for the so called meth labs. “I’ll make arrangements for you to be moved to the jail while we check out your information. You’ll be safe there.”

She let Josh keep the tablet. There wasn’t anything she could do for Matthew. Only Josh would be able to get the information to his Uncle Tate who was a director for the FBI. He tucked his arm into hers and led her from the room. The guard stood at the door waiting for them. “Please keep Mr. Collins company while I make arrangements for him to be transferred to the jail.”

Josh cocked his head to the side. “I’m going to drop off these addresses at my uncle’s office and then how about having lunch with me?”

She met his gaze and felt that unwanted heat again. “You saw that stack of files on my desk. I don’t have time for lunch.”

“Nonsense, you need to eat.” He took her arm and propelled her down the narrow hall.

****

The diner was a cozy structure with bare beams crisscrossing a high ceiling. A couple of waitresses bustled from table to table waiting on the lunch crowd. Four, loud young men sat at the counter flirting outrageously with one of the waitresses. Tight jeans, revealing shirt, she enjoyed the attention. The laughter and talking faded into the background as she focused on Josh.

He took off his jacket, tossed it over the back of the chair next to him. Sitting across from him, Beth was struck not only by how handsome he was but also by his confidence. “Do you come here often?”

“When I’m in the area. The burgers are spectacular. It’s kind of a meeting place for FBI agents and members of law enforcement.” His eyes zeroed in on her jacket. “I love that suit. Peach is your color.”

“Thank you.” She had to bite her tongue to keep from giggling. Just the word peach sounded humorous coming from a tough, rugged man. For him to even know her suit’s color was peach was surprising. He seemed so macho.

The waitress handed them menus. With a quick toss of her hair she raked her eyes over him. “What can I get you to drink, Josh?” Without even looking in Beth’s direction, the waitress kept her eyes on him.

“Sweet tea, Kim.”

“I’ll also have sweet tea. We’re in a hurry. Can you please take our entrée order? I’ll have the chef salad with light dressing.”

Josh handed Kim his menu. “I’ll have a cheeseburger with the works.”

She smiled as she wrote on her pad. “The usual.” She dropped her hands by her side. “I haven’t seen you lately.”

“I’ve been busy.”

Feeling a little jealous, Beth tapped her fingers on the table. She wondered if he had been intimate with Kim. The moment she left, he peered at her. “Congratulations on your new job.”

“You too, Special FBI Agent Josh Wilson. I guess your help in taking down Randal’s crew opened a lot of doors. I’m sure you’re a great agent.”

Then the conversation changed. “Heard you’re going to be working on the Chase Powers’ case. I can’t believe you are going to be defending that low life.”

“I just got the file today. Who told you I was sitting second chair?”She began to look uncomfortable and cleared her throat several times. “How can you possibly know?”

“I’m assisting with Kathy Lassiter’s case. She is scared to death of Powers. She’s afraid he’s going to discover the location of the safe house where we are keeping her and her fiancé and have them killed. With their testimonies he’s sure to get the needle.”

Kim returned and neither said a word as she placed their drinks on the table. She propped the tray on her hip. “Your entrees will be out in a few minutes. I told the cook to put a rush on them.” She twirled a lock of blond hair around her finger as she gave Josh a long look.

“Thanks, honey.” When he said no more, she rushed off toward the kitchen.

Josh took a sip of tea. The glass looked fragile in his strong hand as he tipped it to his sensual lips. “Not even close. No one can brew sweet tea as well as Maria.”

Beth lifted the glass and took a sip. “You’re right, not even close.”

“Nina has a big heart. I fear to think what might have happened to Maria and Juan if she hadn’t taken them in.”

Maria Rodriguez was Grant and Nina’s housekeeper and cook. Maria and her son Juan had come to live with Nina after her husband was killed in a home invasion. “I don’t know what Nina would have done without them after our parents’ deaths. They needed each other. Maria and Juan are family.”