Page 95 of Deeper Than the Dead

Vera grinned. “The man is a magician.”

The same detailed report about Teresa Russ filled another page. She operated a private investigation agency in Huntsville. Interesting. The possibilities as to who had hired Russ to look into Sheree’s case prompted an uneasy feeling. Was Russ actually an old friend that no one had known about ... or had someone who expected the findings to lead back to the Boyett family hired her, and the friend thing was just a cover?

Only one way to find out.

Vera sent Eric a thank-you and grabbed her bag. It was time for a road trip. She wasn’t waiting for Bent to give her whatever details he chose to share. Or for him to decide they could do the parallel investigation thing.

And she wasn’t waiting for Eve ... her sister had kept a huge truth from her, and Vera would learn the reason why. But not right now.

This road trip wouldn’t wait. She needed these answers before anyone else.

32

Calhoun College

Wynn Drive, Huntsville, Alabama, 11:50 a.m.

“Chief Boyett?”

Vera relaxed and managed a smile. “That’s me.”

It was just like Eric to use her former official title. She appreciated the acknowledgment, but more importantly the assist with research.

The woman behind the counter, young enough to be a college student herself, smiled at Vera. “I love Bon Jovi.”

Thank God Vera had left a suit jacket in her SUV. Carrying one for those unexpected moments had become a habit over the years. Nothing she could have done about the worn jeans and the tee.

Vera placed a hand on her chest. “Atlanta—probably before you were born.”

Telly, according to her nameplate, smiled. “If you need anything else”—she tapped the folder—“give me a call. I put my card inside. Eric said this was a very important case.”

Eric. He was a charmer.

“Thank you. This will help a lot.”

Telly glanced around, as if needing to ensure they were still alone. “I knew Professor Gates.”

Anticipation zipped through Vera. “Really? It’s a shame he went missing the way he did.”

“Yeah, it was.” She bit her lip. “Your colleague told me his remains may have been found.”

Eric shared the details necessary for getting what he wanted. Vera knew the routine too well. “We believe so,” she agreed.

“To tell you the truth, I’m not surprised. He had that god-complex thing,” she said quietly, so quietly Vera barely heard her.

“How so?” Vera nudged. “Was he some sort of genius? Or saw himself as one?”

She shook her head. “He thought he was a god—sexually, I mean. Like he thought all women wanted him and should submit to him. It was totally bizarre.”

Vera’s instincts went on point. “Were there complaints from students or staff?”

“Nothing official. Just rumors. Gossip, you know.”

“I appreciate the information, and I’ll pass that along to the investigators.”

“Don’t use my name, okay? I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“Don’t worry,” Vera assured her. “I won’t.” She gave Telly a business card. “Call me, please, if you think of anything else we need to know.”

---