Free Precipice by J. Robert Kinney Page B

and spun toward Dominic, who was still staring intently at the photograph and news article. “Randal! You still with us?”
    With a heavy sigh, Dominic responded, his words barely audible. “Yeah, I’m here boss. Sorry…just thinking…”
    “Care to share those thoughts with the rest of the class?” Sloan snapped.
    “It’s nothing.”
    “Well, snap out of it. I want to know what that poem means ASAP.” Sloan barked. “Have the behavioral analysis boys take a look at it too. Maybe they can work up a psychological profile for this freak.”
    “Yes, boss.”
    “Good. Now you two get on that videotape. I want to know if the local cops were right about their suspicions.” He strode over to the door and opened it. They both took the not-so-subtle hint and hurried toward the exit. “And while you’re at it, see if you can figure out how they got this envelope into my inbox without any of those numbskulls out there noticing sh-!” He slammed the door behind them, cutting off his last word and causing Dominic to flinch.
    “Let’s go find Craig and take a look at those tapes.” Dominic rubbed his temple with a thumb and nodded in the direction of the conference room. “If we can tie the director to the janitor’s death, maybe we’ll be able to discover a motive.”
    Shannon nodded agreement. If they managed to learn anything from this videotape, it could be a significant break in this case. And if they determined a motive for the director’s actions, they might start making a little headway.

Chapter 12
     
    The sun hung low in the western sky as Will reached the town limits of Red Hill. As he topped the crest of the small knoll, he surveyed the valley. He’d been on the move for hours and his legs ached, but he’d put enough distance between him and Artie that he could afford to rest without worry. As he settled down on a tree stump, he attempted to plan his next moves.
    Red Hill was a small rural community, the type of town where fall Friday nights belong to high school football and everyone is on a first name basis. Will needed to be careful. Any local would peg him immediately as an out-of-towner. The quaint little logging village had transitioned over the years into a woodworking community, focused more on what you can do with the wood after being chopped down.
    Red Hill Company furniture became nationally known over the last decade and this newfound fame brought vast wealth to the local inhabitants, though you’d never know it by the appearance of the town. It remained old fashioned and down-to-earth as the local people were resistant to change. But this woodworking expertise was not what brought Will to town.
    Artie had explained that one of the nation’s leading producers of counterfeit materials resided on the outskirts of town, near the foot of the mountains. Edward Booth had been a vital cog in the country’s intelligence community at one time. Rumor had it, though, he still worked independently to make a little extra cash on the side.
    William Sr. and Arthur both knew Booth from school many years ago. Though they hadn’t seen each other since their university days, they remained in touch through periodic phone calls, emails, and the annual Christmas card. They never had any need for his “services,” but were well aware of his proclivities.
    Will balked at trusting a stranger, but this insistence of his old friend persuaded him otherwise. After all, no other viable options had presented themselves, so what choice was there?
    He couldn’t afford to sit still for long though. If his pursuers were as smart as Artie insinuated, it wouldn’t take them long to track Will to Adair. The man was tough, but his age and increasing fragility made it improbable he’d hold up for long against physical intimidation. Already, Will felt ashamed of his decision to visit Artie. There’d been no need to involve anyone else, especially an old man living in relative peace and solitude. Being dragged into this