Page 9 of Under Fire

“I can believe that,” Hollis said. “Probably from up north.”

“I can believe that as well,” Locke added. “And I bet your reason is the same as mine. Nick’s shoes are a dead giveaway,” he said to Hollis as if Nick wasn’t there listening.

The man’s glare deepened. “What about my shoes?”

“Nobody in the South wears socks with sandals,” Locke replied.

“Precisely,” Hollis agreed.

“I got another question for you, Nick. What’s Earl’s last name?” Locke asked.

“I don’t know.”

Locke wasn’t sure whether he was telling the truth. “Is Earl one of Barcos’ men?”

There was a look of uneasiness in Nick’s eyes before he said, “I don’t know that either.”

“Why does Earl want to know Halifax’s whereabouts? Were you given orders to kill him?” Locke then asked.

“No. My job was to find out where he’s hiding out.”

“And then what?”

Nick broke eye contact with him. “I’m not answering any more questions.”

“Fine. Let’s see how well you do telling that to the police when they get here.”

***

Nick Underwood didn’t answer any more questions for Detectives Langston Tomlin and Myron Connors than he had for Locke and Hollis. He stuck to the same story. He was hired to find out Karl Halifax’s whereabouts. He didn’t know why. He had arrived in town that day, and the person who hired him was named Earl.

“And you two are sure he didn’t share anything else with you?” Detective Connors asked when Nick was being handcuffed and led away.

“Maybe we should repeat ourselves,” Locke said. “Nick told us exactly what he told you and Detective Tomlin. If you ask me again, I’ll start wondering whether I’m being questioned as a witness or as counsel for my client. I’m not telling you how to do your job, Detective Connors, but I’d think you’d want to find out who Earl is and what his interest is in Karl Halifax. I’d also wonder if he’s one of Barcos’ men, and what would have happened if Halifax’s location had been discovered.”

Hollis noticed the deep frown on Detective Connors’ face. Evidently, he didn’t like being told by Locke how to do his job. At that moment, she could swear she and the detective had met before. If so, when and where? And if their paths had crossed previously, why wouldn’t he say so?

Locke and Hollis stood back while the police officers put Nick in the squad car. A short while later, they were gone.

“There’s something I noticed, Locke.”

He glanced over at her. “What?”

Hollis wasn’t sure she should mention anything to Locke. After all, they weren’t working together on anything. However, she would share this one observation. “Nick’s watch.”

Locke raised a brow. “What about it?”

“I’ve seen one like it before but can’t recall where.”

Locke nodded. “Looked like a regular watch to me.”

“Did you find it odd that instead of the second hand being silver to match the dial, it was gold?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Probably a personal preference.”

“You’re probably right,” she said, checking her own watch. “It’s late, and I’d better get going.”

He nodded. “You live far from here?”