Stranger Danger (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 4)

“Because I want to offer him a deal. A highly reduced sentence in exchange for the location of that ten million dollars. The restitution to his victims will go a long way to softening a federal judge. But he’s not getting a cushy deal if he’s a murderer.”

I hesitate a moment before saying, “As a matter of fact, I already asked him if he killed Jefferson Pike.”

She looks at Travis, then back at me. “Did you? I won’t ask why you’re interested because frankly, I don’t care. You can play Nancy Drew all you want, and as long as it benefits me, I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines. Jefferson Pike’s murder, while messy, is a local matter. The cops here can handle it. Unless, like I said, Archie Clements is the killer. Then that interferes with my case, and it does become my business.” She leans forward. “So, what did he say? I want to know your take on it. Did he kill Jefferson Pike?”

“He says he didn’t. And I believe him.”

She nods crisply. “Good. Frankly, I would have been surprised if he’d done it. Not his style at all.”

“So, that’s it. You’re going to take my word on it?”

“Right now, the evidence doesn’t support Archie killing Jefferson Pike,” says Travis.

“If the local police aren’t going to charge Archie with Jefferson’s murder, then that’s good enough for me. All that concerns me is clearing this real estate scam off my desk.”

“You really think that Archie will tell you where the money is in exchange for a reduced sentence? Because something tells me he’s the type that wouldn’t mind spending a decade or so in prison if it means coming out to ten million. He’s not young, but he’s not ancient either.”

She pulls another file out of her tote and tosses it across the desk. “Meet Archie Clements’s daughter.”

I open the file to find a single sheet. At the top is a picture of a young woman with mousy brown hair and frightened-looking eyes. “Anita Tremble is Archie’s daughter?”

Boy, did I get that relationship wrong.

“Archie didn’t know Anita existed until about six months ago. That’s when the mother got in touch with Archie and told him he had a daughter. The girl had been going through a rough patch, and Archie wanted to help her. We’re not sure exactly how she got involved in the con, but it’s enough to give us the leverage we need against Archie. So far, the charges against her are minimal, but if Archie doesn’t cough up the location of that money, then we’re prepared to hit Anita with enough charges to keep her in prison for a good five to seven years.”

“And you think he cares about her enough to give up the money?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

This one’s a no-brainer. “Yes, he’s very protective of her. I think he’ll tell you where the money is if it helps her.”

Billings sits back in the chair, looking satisfied. “Excellent. Your intel is going to help me put the squeeze on this guy.” She collects her files and puts them back in her tote. “You know, Lucy, you should think about applying to the Bureau. With your skills, you’d make an excellent interrogator. If you can pass the tests, I’ll try to make sure you and Fontaine go through basic training together.”

“What?” I flip around in my seat to face Travis. “You’re joining the FBI?”

He glares at Agent Billings before saying, “I’m thinking about it.”

“Oh. I thought … Never mind.” It makes sense now. Travis and Patricia Billings aren’t involved. She’s recruiting him for the FBI.

If Travis joins the FBI, then that means he’ll be leaving Whispering Bay. Which means he can’t seriously want to date me. Which means I’m off the hook. I don’t have to worry about hurting his feelings when I tell him that I’ve chosen Will. This is great news.

Only, for some reason, it doesn’t feel great. My chest feels tight. I think I know how the Grinch felt when his heart suddenly grew three sizes too big. Except my heart was already regular size, so this doesn’t feel good at all.

I can’t believe it, but I think I’m going to miss the big lug.

“Don’t think too long about that offer,” Agent Billings says to him. “Opportunities like this don’t come around often.” She puts her tote over her shoulder. “Thanks again, Lucy. Looks like I owe you twice now.” She walks out the door and calls for Rusty to take her to see Archie Clements.

“The FBI, huh?” I say to Travis.

“Sorry, I didn’t want you to find out like that. I told her I was thinking about it. Doesn’t mean I’m going to take it.”

“Well, you should. It sounds like a great opportunity. You don’t want to be stuck here in Whispering Bay for the rest of your life, do you?”

He goes to say something, then shakes his head instead. But it feels like it might have been the most important thing that anyone’s ever said to me.

“What were you going to say?” I hold my breath waiting for his answer.

“I was going to say how lucky you are that your little scheme to visit Archie Clements didn’t blow up in your face.”