The Last Day

THIRTY-NINE

Ward accompanied Todd Hartman as he swept the house and collected three small listening devices from the kitchen, den, and dining area. Someone had been in the house. Todd placed the bugs into a foam- lined envelope.

“These are high- quality bugs-minis that transmit to a receiver. The range is limited to two or three hundred yards at the most. He can place a gatherer inside that zone, and from that device he can transmit anywhere. He's definitely been listening to your conversations.”

Todd collected the wine bottles, orange juice containers, and Scotch bottles. He lifted one of the unopened orange juice cartons and, turning it upside down, squeezed it. A tiny stream of orange liquid arced across the room. Someone had been in the house.

“You were right, Todd, he used a syringe,” Leslie said.

“Who used a syringe?” Gene asked as he walked into the room, redfaced. After Natasha told him what they'd figured out, Gene accompanied Todd out to the hide. He studied the binoculars, the sharpening stone, and the carvings. Ward saw Gene open his phone and make a call. After five minutes in the heat, they went back inside.

“Todd has pictures of everything so we have a record,” Ward said.

“We need to give the remaining liquids to the FBI, but I agree that Todd should definitely have his samples checked. Not that I don't trust the FBI, but they haven't given us any reason to. Lander Electric wouldn't do this,” Gene said conclusively.

“The Dibbles are behind this,” Ward said. “It's the only thing that makes sense. If not Flash, then Trey is behind it. I know it in my bones.”

“I talked to Flash,” Gene said. “He said the last offer is still on the table unchanged. Doesn't seem like he's taking advantage of this.”

“That was nice of him,” Natasha said angrily. She wasn't ready to let a Dibble off the hook.

“Don't you think you could cut him some slack?” Gene said. “If he'd been involved, do you think he would keep his offer firm? Ward, as your attorney and friend, I'd advise you to consider his offer. Who knows what else might happen that would negatively affect the company's value.”

“Gene, I'm surprised at you,” Natasha said. “Haven't you considered that it may be the best way for Flash to distance himself from the dirty tricks? Maybe he knows Trey is responsible and wants to protect him. He knows any damage to the company's reputation won't last once Ward is out of the picture.”

Ward stared at his wife as if seeing her for the first time. He had long ago accepted the fact that Natasha was a lot smarter and more perceptive than he was. The knowledge that she was ready to fight the world at his side warmed him and steeled his resolve.

“You ready to let Lander Electric off the hook? They could be behind this. They could have hired this stalker, or investigator-no offense to your profession, Todd-or whatever he is,” Gene said.

“Maybe they are responsible,” Natasha acknowledged, “but I can't see where the virus, or Ward's innocence or guilt, would affect our wrongful death case.”

Ward smiled quietly at her use of the word “our.”

Gene said, “Unless they think a jury will believe that a man who can get off looking at naked children is the sort of nut who would kill his own son so he could collect insurance, which there wasn't any, or sue them because of it.” Hearing Gene say that gave Ward a hot, hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. And it pissed him off. And someone had been in the house. And that terrified Ward McCarty more than he could possibly have imagined.