I feel as if I’ve commandeered this meeting with Silas and Mercury, but they certainly don’t seem to mind.
We’ve covered Sheriff Paul and Armand. Now for Carson.
“I’ve met with several agencies along Route 66 in locations between Oklahoma City and Barstow, and I am more convinced than ever that Carson is the guy,” I tell them. “But that’s just one guy’s opinion.”
Merc sits up on her seat and leans forward.
“And there’s very little we can do about that since it seems he’s flown the coop. Any thoughts on his whereabouts, a shred of a clue perhaps?”
I begin by talking about Gordon’s significant other, Tracy.
“Tracy and Gordon were living together, of course. She had wanted for some time to marry him, but he was not inclined to do that, even though she was carrying his child,” I say. “Tracy knew that Gordon and Carson came away from the breakup of their business with money – lots of money – so when Gordon died, the entire proceeds went to Carson.”
I can see Merc shifting in her seat, probably contemplating her own divorce.
“She has tried repeatedly to obtain a portion of Gordon’s share for herself and their baby, even making trips to Middle Valley to try to reason with Carson,” I say. “But she had no legal standing, no recourse, and was getting nowhere with him.”
I realize, relating the story now to each of them, as an outsider, Tracy might have a reason, or even a motive, to go after Carson in some way.
“She’s very bitter,” I tell them. “But I don’t get the sense she’d do something horrible. I think she just wants this settled, and, frankly, it won’t be settled if he’s out of the picture. Or dead.”
“That’s scary,” Merc says. “Go on.” Silas silently listens.
“I spent a good bit of time mining Carson’s social and professional contacts, all of whom I was aware of prior to my trip, but all discussions produced similar outcomes. No one knows how to reach him, though there is a theory that he’s moved to Vietnam.”
“Why?” Mercury asks.
“Well, it’s a hotbed for entrepreneurs right now, so the thinking is he might have gotten on with one and decided that it was safer for him to stay. Especially given …”
“Given what?” Silas stands up.
“No extradition agreement,” I tell him. “The government there won’t send him back.”
Silas nods. “What was your sense of Carson’s mental health in recent months? Given Mick’s murder and crime occurrences that all seem linked to Carson … I have to think he’s been a little stressed.”
“By all accounts,” I tell them. “Okay, that’s all I can give you.”
I turn and take my leave, exhausted from the travel and discussion.
But I get to see Elyse this evening, so that is something to look forward to.