Pursuit of Justice Read Online Free Page B

concealing a crime. On the other hand, I trust my instincts.” Irritation ripped through his voice.
    She needed to make friends with Sheriff Darren Adams, not alienate him. “I apologize if I sounded like you were not a professional.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Were you briefed as to why the FBI has been called into this investigation?”
    “Brandt Richardson’s involvement in the Spider Rock treasure. He’s on your wanted list for murder and may be involved.” He recited the explanation as though she were testing him. Not good. She needed to befriend him.
    “Do you believe in the treasure?”
    “Lots of folks around here swear by the old stories.”
    Those old stories had nearly been her demise.
    “The clues are everywhere, strung out in several counties, but the likelihood of the treasure being buried in Runnels County is slim. In response to your question, I’ve more important things to do than waste my time and money on searching for a supposed treasure.”
    “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m hopeful this assignment will be completed in days and not weeks or months. I’ll be at the High Butte within the hour.” Bella disconnected the call and turned to Vic. “Do you know much about the sheriff? I heard a wild tale about him, but I don’t know if it’s true.”
    Vic ran his hand through his hair. “Probably is. We call him Daredevil Adams. He’s been known to climb out of the passenger side of a moving patrol car and jump onto the bed of a pickup loaded with bundles of marijuana.” He laughed. “I’ve been known to pull a stunt or two, but I’m not sure I’d risk my neck for a little grass.”
    “The story I heard had him standing up to half a dozen gang members who attempted to crash a high school dance. Adams and his wife were chaperoning in plain clothes. When one of the knife-wielding boys threatened a teacher, Adams used martial arts to settle all of them down.”
    “That’s Daredevil Adams.”
    “I look forward to meeting this West Texas hero.” And she hoped he had the integrity her report claimed.
    Bella set her BlackBerry on record and fed it the information she’d gathered from her conversation with Sheriff Adams. This also gave Vic the opportunity to hear the other side of the conversation.
    The farther she drove south on Highway 83, the more remote the area and the drier the air. An eerie feeling swept through her, as if she were driving from one world into another. In essence, she was. In some of the outlying areas, the nearest large town could be an hour’s drive or more. There the folks lived by their own rules and ethics. She should know; she’d witnessed the evil that could dwell in a man’s heart in this part of Texas.
    “Sheriff Adams’s friendship with Sullivan bothers me,” she said. “I’ve read the sheriff’s career stats, and they’re admirable. Yet the church loyalties could mean a cover-up, a way for those involved to look like good Christian citizens while breaking the law.”
    “I agree. The sheriff could be purposely ignoring clues. I’ll take a look at his reports and see if anything’s missing. When it comes to a violent crime, I don’t care whose toes get stepped on.”
    “Good. While you’re at it, could you check on the vehicle belonging to Professor Miller? It was at the crime scene and hauled in for a complete sweep. The sooner we have the results, the better.”
    Vic drummed his fingers on the dashboard. “I have a few questions about why you’re the lead agent.”
    Here it comes. Vic’s talk about respecting women agents was about to get flushed down the toilet. “I’m surprised you weren’t informed. I spent the first fifteen years of my life in Runnels County. I know the locale.”
    “I see. Is your family still here?”
    “My aunt raised me, and she lives in Pennsylvania.”
    “You’re a long way from home. Or close to it.”
    “Depends on what a person calls home.”
    Vic didn’t seem pleased with her response, and she couldn’t blame