Free A Promise to Protect (Logan Point Book #2): A Novel by Patricia Bradley

interest.”
    “Billy Wayne Gresham? Leigh’s shooter?”
    Danny and Ian had wasted no time reporting back to Maxwell. “Billy Wayne hasn’t been identified as her shooter. Or Tony’s murderer.”
    The ice-blue eyes bored into him. “Come on, Ben. Your dad couldn’t bluff me, and neither can you. Are you looking for anyone else?”
    His dad and Maxwell had been friends for years, coffee buddies at Molly’s Diner, and they played golf together before his dad’s stroke. Maxwell had his finger on the pulse of Logan Point, and more than likely, Tom Logan wouldn’t have hesitated to confide in him. But Ben wasn’t his dad. “What can you tell me about Billy Wayne? Do you know who he hung out with?”
    Amusement flickered in Maxwell’s face as he leaned back in his chair and tented his fingers. “Billy Wayne and I ran in different circles. He was a strange boy. Wild, and I feared he’d end up dead too young. Feel sorry for his poor mama. She works here, you know. In packing. As does one of his brothers. I’ve told her to take as much time off as she needs.”
    “She didn’t say much when I told her he’d been killed.” Ben took out a pen and pad. “I understand Billy Wayne did some work for Maxwell Industries. Did he answer to your son and nephew or to you?”
    “Ian hired him. He answered to him.”
    Ben nodded. “Did Ian or Danny pal around with Billy Wayne?”
    “I hope you’re not insinuating either of them are involved with Billy Wayne’s illegal activities or Tony’s death.”
    Ben paused with the pen raised. Odd that Maxwell would jump to that conclusion. Maybe there was fire in the smoke. “Ian? No. Your son, maybe.”
    “You’re barking up the wrong tree with Danny.” Maxwell leaned forward. “And I wouldn’t be too quick to put Ian in a box labeled squeaky clean.”
    Ben hid a smile. Irritate people a little, and unusual things popped out sometimes. “Really? Anything you’d care to share?”
    “No. Just be careful about prejudging. Danny is a good boy. Perhaps a little reckless sometimes. I’d hoped he would marry Bailey Adams and settle down, but . . .” He shrugged. “I know you two have been rivals in the past, but he respects you.”
    That was news to Ben. He didn’t realize Danny respected anyone or anything, except maybe Bailey. But she’d chosen to teach school at a mission in Mexico instead of marrying Danny Maxwell.
    Maxwell leaned forward. “Where Danny’s focus might be on seeing how close he can get to the fire without getting singed, Ian is more preoccupied with the ladies.”
    The image of Ian with his arm around Leigh pricked Ben. “I heard he’s getting married.”
    Maxwell stood and walked to the expanse of glass across his office. “Girls have been chasing him since he was sixteen, and he’s avoided matrimony for twenty years. Not sure if this latest girlfriend will rope him in.” He put his hands behind his back. “You didn’t mention me. Am I under suspicion as well?”
    “Hardly. And I never said Ian and Danny were. Just trying to find some answers.” Ben joined him at the window that looked out over the plant. “So from here you can tell who’s shirking and who’s not?”
    “That’s not a problem around here. We treat our employees well. Good pay, great benefits, and stock in the company equal good morale. No, I just like to look down at the line and know one of the best rifles in America is being made here.”
    “Do you know where Billy Wayne could’ve bought a Sub-2000?”
    “Is that what he used to shoot at Leigh?”
    “Maybe.”A question answered with a question. Phillip was crafty. “Do you have a connection with Billy Wayne?”
    Maxwell slapped him on the back. “I like you, Ben. If you’re looking for an accomplice, you can stop. From what I know about him, he was a loner and definitely smart enough to pull this off without any help. Okay? As for the Sub-2000, he could’ve picked one up at a gun show, a private dealer, the