Page 62 of A Little Bit Whiskey
“That’s where I’m going to have to get creative. But I think I’ll find evidence out here that she was originally in the overflow building. He and Weezer tried to move the body when you and Noir started dating. That was a little close for comfort and—”
“You do realize that you’re going to put out a false statement that I’ve been sleeping with my half brother.” No way was Tamsyn going to let that lie out in the world again.
“I’m going to enjoy watching this family suffer,” Fred said. “They honestly believe they are above the law. They have gotten away with so much shit and I’m tired of having to sit back and watch it happen. I honestly thought I’d have some power as chief of police, but Carter fucking runs this town.” Fred glanced around. He pointed his weapon at the door to the overflow building and fired.
It might be a big vineyard, but someone was bound to hear that.
She hoped.
Otherwise, she was about to join her mother in the afterlife.
But the music still pouring out of the speakers from the winery killed any hope she had.
15
CARTER
“Have you seen Tamsyn?” Carter took Weezer to the side of the room.
“Not in the last fifteen minutes or so. Why?”
“Fred changed into his uniform.” Carter raked his fingers through his hair. “If that wasn’t nerve-racking enough, Fred, Anna, and Tamsyn have all disappeared. I can’t find any of them anywhere in this building.”
“Where’s Noir?”
“He and Dax are checking the labeling room and other places we’re not allowing the public to go. Malbec and Nebbiolo are in the parking lot. Toby and Trey have planted themselves at both exits. All the girls are doing their best to say goodbye to the rest of the guests. Something isn’t right.”
“Tell me about it. There are three cop cars outside.”
“Besides that.” Carter pulled his cell from his sports coat pocket. There were no texts from Tamsyn, and that was disconcerting as well. “I think we need to—”
“Mr. River.” Eddy, a colleague of Tamsyn, strolled across the room, his fingers laced in his belt, definitely in cop mode.
Wonderful.
“Yes?” Carter squared his shoulders, bracing for the worst. Although, he couldn’t imagine that Fred would send this young man to arrest his wife. Then again, Fred could be a coward. It was one of the reasons that Carter had pushed hard twenty years ago not to have Fred as the chief of police. The only reason he’d backed him this last time was because he thought Fred had changed. That and he was the lesser of two evils, so to speak.
At the moment, Carter was questioning that decision.
Eddy glanced over his shoulder. “I have a situation.” He held up his cell. “I think Tamsyn’s in trouble. Where’s Noir?”
“He’s in the back room. What’s going on?”
“I’m not exactly sure, but I also don’t think I can bring in my department. Or at least all of them. We’ve been instructed to clear the winery, except not to let you leave.”
“I gathered something was going on.”
“But Tamsyn chased Fred outside and she sent me that text and I’m worried. I don’t know what to do. Fred’s my boss. Tamsyn’s my partner. This isn’t necessarily a police matter.”
Carter took the cell.
Tamsyn:Come to this location. Come alone. Be prepared to call for backup. Hurry. Come with an open mind.
“Fuck,” Carter muttered. “Do you have any extra weapons? Because your boss took all of mine.”
“I don’t like that question,” Eddy said.
“What’s going on?” Weezer asked.
