Free Captive Justice: A Private Investigator Mystery Series (A Jake & Annie Lincoln Thriller Book 4) by Rayven T. Hill Page A

truck, then saw the body a minute or two later?”
    “That’s right.”
    Hank sat back and pulled his notepad and pencil from an inner pocket. “Can you describe the truck?”
    “It was white. A white van and had no windows in the side.”
    “And it was going fast?”
    “Yup. Way too fast for this road.”
    Hank thought a moment. “Did you see the driver?”
    “Not really. Like I said, it was going fast and I slowed a bit and moved to the side to be safe. I could tell there was a driver, but couldn’t see no features or nothing like that.”
    “Was it a man?”
    “Pretty darn sure it were a man.”
    “What about a passenger?”
    “Couldn’t say. Maybe, maybe not.”
    “Was there any markings on the side of the van? Writing, or anything unusual?”
    The farmer shook his head slowly. “Nope. Just plain and white. Nothing unusual as I could remember.”
    “I suppose you didn’t see the license plate?”
    “Nope. Didn’t suspect anything untoward was going on.”
    Hank nodded. “Of course, why would you?” He scribbled a note and drummed the head of his pencil against the notepad before finally looking back to the old farmer. “Can you think of anything else? Anything at all?”
    “That’s all I got, my friend. Wish I could help more, but I didn’t see anything else that were suspicious.”
    “You’ve been a big help,” Hank said, as he shoved the rest of the banana bread into his mouth. He put his notepad and pencil away and stood, extending his hand. “Thank you very much, Mr. Scott.”
    The old man stood and gave Hank another firm handshake. “Don’t mention it. But I sure would appreciate a favor.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Just let me and Maggie know if you find out what happened. It’s been kinda weighing on us and we sure would like to know when you get this wrapped up.”
    “I will,” Hank promised.
    Maggie bustled over and handed Hank a paper bag. “Seeing as you like my banana bread so much, here’s a portion you can take along with you.”
    Hank thanked her with a smile, took the bag and tucked it under his arm.
    Maggie gave him a bright look. “You’re welcome to come see us any time, Detective.”
    Hank smiled again, bade them goodbye and was let out. That was the easy one, now he had to see Dr. Gould—a task he was dreading.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 18
     
     
     
    Thursday, September 1st, 10:33 AM
     
    ANNIE AND JAKE were in the office when the doorbell rang. Jake jumped up and in a few long strides had left the room, returning a moment later with Hank following.
    Annie swung her chair away from the monitor and greeted Hank with a weak smile as he entered the room. He looked peaked, no doubt a result of the emotional stress he’d been under—the same stress they’d all been under.
    Jake resumed his position in the guest chair as Hank pushed the other one closer to the desk, settled into it and dropped his arms on the table. Annie saw the strain on Hank’s face as he spoke. “I just came from Dr. Gould. Needless to say, he’s not doing very well.”
    Annie glanced at Jake. The pressure her husband was under, blaming himself for Mrs. Gould’s death, had put a haggard look on his face. He was drained, mentally exhausted and angry.
    No one interrupted as Hank continued, “The doctor broke down and wept. The poor man is heartbroken and more distraught than I think I’ve ever seen.” The cop dropped his head, shaking it slowly. His voice quivered as he spoke. “And to make matters worse, though I doubt he had anything to do with his wife’s death, we still have to rule him out as a suspect. That means he has to face some uncomfortable questions.” He paused. “I have to catch this guy.”
    “We’ll catch him,” Annie said, not so certain her statement was true, but determined to do all she could to track down this vicious killer.
    Jake spoke up, exasperation in his voice. “He got his money. Why’d he have to kill her?” He jumped to his feet and paced