Promises in the Dark (Detectives Kane and Alton)

The door opened and a ruffled bleary-eyed man stood before them. With a receding chin, his hooked nose seemed to take up all his face. The smell of smoke was heavier on his clothes than her own. By the look of him, he’d been sleeping in them. “Mr. Simon Dexter?”

“In the flesh.” Dexter’s mouth curled into a yellow toothed grimace. “This is the second time the FBI have dropped by. I want to see your IDs. This is police harassment.”

“I’m Special Agent Jo Wells.” Jo held out her cred pack. “This is Jenna Alton.”

“I know you.” Dexter pointed a finger with a dirty nail at Jenna. “You’re the sheriff out of Black Rock Falls. What are you doing in my county, chasing after the guy who beat you up? Nasty cut on your neck there, Sheriff.”

Unperturbed, Jenna stood her ground. “Investigating a crime. Where were you tonight, Mr. Dexter?”

“Out.” He scratched his belly and yawned. “You’d better come inside. I made a pot of coffee and fell asleep waiting for it.” He turned around and headed down a hallway, stopped, and looked at them. “If you want to talk, I need to sit down.”

Concerned by the way he’d dismissed them as a threat, when the sight of an FBI agent would normally have most people worried, Jenna shook her head. “Not this time. Come back here. It will only take a few minutes of your time and we have other folks to visit tonight.”

“Go to hell.” Dexter kept walking.

Surprised by his attitude, Jenna straightened. “If I step inside your house, it will be to take you in for questioning.” She waited a beat. “Your choice, Mr. Dexter.”

When he turned slowly and eyed her with contempt, she eased her Glock out of the shoulder holster and dropped it to her side. She noticed the flicker of doubt in his eyes at her action and she wondered if he had the same opinion of women as Suffolk.

“You’d draw down on an unarmed man?” Dexter held up his hands, shoulder high, and walked toward them.

Jenna didn’t raise her weapon but stared at him, trying to judge his intentions. “I don’t know if you’re armed, Mr. Dexter. Just keep those hands where I can see them. All I want to do is to ask you a few questions. I’m confused by your attitude.”

“There should be a law against women carrying guns.” Dexter stopped a couple of yards from them his eyes blazing with suppressed anger.

“Why is that, Mr. Dexter?” Jo stepped closer to the open door. “Women have equal rights in this country and by law, you’re required to obey the direction of a law enforcement officer.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” He glared at Jenna. “Ask your questions and then get the hell off my property.”

Jenna holstered her weapon. “Where were you tonight?”

“I was in Blackwater. I went to see the fire.” Dexter shrugged. “Or is there a law about that now?”

After taking out her notepad and pen, Jenna glanced past him and took in the unkempt house. She turned her attention back to him. “What time was this?”

“Maybe ten or later, I’m not sure.” Dexter shuffled his feet. “It was a housefire. It lit up the sky like a wildfire. I came home just before.”

“How did you know about the fire?” Jo stiffened beside her. “You can’t see it from here.”

“I have a scanner.” Dexter rubbed his chin. “I like watching fires. The flames are like evil spirits leaping out of hell. Chasing firetrucks is a hobby. It’s exciting.”

Recalling Kane’s notes on the last interview with him, she frowned. “You find people dying in fires and the destruction of property exciting?”

“It so happens I do.” He paused a beat as if regretting his words. “Well, not the people dying, I guess.”

“I see.” Jenna examined his demeanor closely. “You didn’t help the Wood family escape the fire here in town, did you? Were you aware that Sophie had fled the house?”

“No.” He frowned. “I liked her. She was pretty.”

“And is Sheriff Stuart’s granddaughter, Pamela, pretty?” Jo twirled the earbud of her com, in her fingers as if bored. “Have you made an offer for her too?”

“No, I haven’t made an offer for her.” He looked annoyed. “Why? Has her family complained about me as well?”

Ignoring his question, Jenna raised her eyes from her notepad. “You mentioned you have a scanner, so you’d know that Pamela is missing. Have you seen her or know her whereabouts?”

“No and no.” Dexter leaned against the wall. “Can I put my hands down now?”

Jenna shook her head. “Did you see anyone you recognize at the fire?”