“Oh, shit,” Gary muttered, shaking his head. He felt sure that if he looked close, steam would be coming out of Hunter’s ears.
Sheriff Montoya stepped between Hunter and Mr. Jones, “We’re leaving. Hunter, you and Gary come by the office later and we’ll drink a cup.”
He ushered Mr. Jones to the vehicle, and they left as a Sheriff’s Department Ram Charger arrived and three deputies emerged with rolls of banana-yellow crime scene tape and other gear.
Hunter said to Gary, “That guy ticked me off.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell.”
Hunter said, “You’re a funny man.” She went to the older Deputy and asked, “Alonso, who’s that guy with Danny?”
Alonso, said, “He didn’t talk to us, and the Sheriff didn’t say. But he arrived in Marfa in a helicopter, a fancy one. It was black.”
Hunter looked at Gary, “A helicopter.”
Gary said, “No tracks.”
Hunter walked toward the Jeep. “I can’t wait to hear what Danny has to say.”
Gary said, “That better be some good coffee he’s brewing or we’ll walk out when the politically correct BS starts. I’ll stay a little longer if the coffee’s good.”
“I hear that.”
The Sheriff was good at his word and had a fresh pot finishing in the Bunn when the two Agents walked into his office.
Danny pointed, “There’s your cups, and Hunter, you know where the cream and sugar’s located.”
Hunter said, “You’re letting us use your real coffee cups? Wow, this is gonna be some story.”
Danny shook his head. “You’re giving me a migraine, Kincaid.”
When they were seated, Danny said, “You didn’t recognize him?”
Hunter and Gary shook their heads. Hunter said, “Who is he?”
“His name is Lincoln Jones. He’s made a lot of money, mostly from the large amount of stock he bought early on in both Microsoft and Apple. He keeps his face out of the news, and has for the last two decades. Before that he was a Marine who saw combat, and then worked overseas for the CIA, evidently doing some heavy espionage work for years. He’s still attached to them, and he’s an advisor to the President.”
Gary said, “I think I remember that name from way back, in Grenada maybe.”
Danny said, “You’ve got a good memory.”
Gary said, “My uncle was there.”
Danny said, “He was a Marine at that time, and did some heroics that were played up in the press. He has the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.”
“That deserves some respect.” Gary said.
Hunter said, “Why are you suddenly his chauffeur?”
Danny put his cup down, walked around his desk and closed the door. “Because I got a call from the White House.”
Hunter said, “What did they say?”
“They asked me to extend every courtesy to Mr. Jones.”
“That was good enough for you?”
Danny sighed, “Hunter, everything’s not black or white like you think.”