Jake had a very good idea about the tactics of federal agencies like the NCIS. They would attempt almost anything to intimidate him: lead him to a dark interrogation room in the middle of nowhere, scream at him and show him gruesome pictures of the dead body, insisting that he was the murderer. Yet, this was not the case. The black SUV’s pulled over outside of the Sheriff’s station and he was taken to the Sheriff’s office. Indeed, this seemed less like an interrogation and more like a friendly chat. However, to Jake this was nothing more than a minor detail. He had nothing to hide.

Agent Patrick dropped a large folder of documents onto the Sheriff’s desk and opened it. The first page contained Jake’s name and picture.

“What an impressive record,” he said in admiration, “two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart … stunning; just stunning. Normally, I’d ask why you quit, but you and I have something in common: We both quit. I just chose to help the marines. You chose the mountain.”

“Semper fi,” Jake murmured. “Once a marine, always a marine: I’d always lend a helping hand to a fellow man in uniform. It’s the politicians I don’t trust. That’s one of the reasons I quit.”

“The main reason you quit is a girl, Mr. Isaacs,” responded Agent Patrick, putting a little force in his voice. “Or, perhaps I should say, was. Honestly? I would have done the same thing. But, that’s not what you’re here for. Did you know the victim?”

“Quite well,” Jake replied. “I hadn’t seen him in three years. He came over to my bar last night. There’s one thing you should know, though: Lieutenant Barnes is still alive. She was with him.”

“What are you talking about?” disbelief tinged Patrick’s voice. “She was killed in action.”

“That’s what I thought, as well, up until last night.” The mere recollection of the moment he saw her sent shivers down his spine. “Go ahead; call the Pentagon if you don’t believe me. Jensen helped her fake her death. That’s why I roughed him up a bit.”

“The guy’s dead, Isaacs.” Patrick’s tone became even stiffer. “I don’t think what you did to him, qualifies as ‘just a bit’. The coroner says his head’s been mangled.”

“I punched him twice.” Jake maintained his composure, “once in the jaw, once in the eye. I’m pretty strong, but…” he faltered, “no man in the world can break another man’s skull with a couple of shots.”

“Not without brass knuckles,” Patrick replied, speaking his mind.

“I don’t have any,” Jake stated. “Besides, Barnes witnessed the whole thing. She’ll corroborate my story.”

“Ghosts can’t corroborate shit!” Patrick yelled, banging his hand against the desk. “Come on, Isaacs. Save us both some time and admit it. You killed him.”

“If you think you can scare me with that crap, think again.” Jake glared at him. “I’ve faced a lot worse and a hell of a lot scarier things than an angry fed.”

At that moment, the Sheriff’s phone rang. In a matter of seconds, Patrick’s face loosened in total disbelief.

“Send her in,” he muttered, slowly hanging up.

“What’s the matter?” Jake smirked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

The knock on the door did not give him a chance to comment.

“Come in,” Patrick said.

“Lieutenant Allison Barnes; United States Marine Corps,” Jake smiled to himself, watching as Patrick looked up at her.

“How’s this even possible?” he said in quiet frustration. “Your file says you’re dead.”

“Sorry sir, that’s classified.” Allison replied in a calm tone. “You’ll have to address my superiors.”

“Fair enough,” said Patrick as he nodded. “This man says you and the victim were in his bar last night. Is that true?”

“It is,” she affirmed. “They got into a fight. Commander Jensen was hurt; he was a little dizzy when I left him, but other than that, he was fine.”

“Where did you leave him?” Patrick inquired.

“Right outside his hotel room: ‘Aztec’ hotel is about two miles south of here,” Allison responded.

“Lieutenant, I trust you knew the Commander,” Patrick’s voice became steadier by the second. “Did he have any enemies? Who could have done this to him?”

“Yes, we go way back,” Allison admitted. “I have no idea, sir. This came as a shock to me. He was a good man.”

“You’re free to go, Isaacs,” Patrick said, returning his gaze to Jake. “Don’t leave town.”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” attempting to answer in a firm tone, relief flashing in his eyes as he rose from his seat. Jake walked out of the Sheriff’s office, but very soon, Allison’s voice forced him to stop.

“Jake, I really need to talk to you,” she said in a soft voice.

He groaned, looking down at her over his right shoulder. “I don’t want to hear about it.”

“It’s about Jensen,” Allison explained, strutting towards him. “I may have something by the end of the day.”

Jake shrugged. “Why would I even care?”

“You do remember his gambling problem, don’t you?” She wondered. “Rumor has it he owed money to some Boston-based loan shark. His name is Phil Duncan. My contact in the city says he’s lent a lot of money to people in the area, including local cops. I’ll have the list by tonight.”

“You know about…”

“Do I know about you and the deputy?” A sarcastic smile spread across her face. “Yes, I saw you with her earlier. Anyway, if you want to know more, here’s the address of my hotel.” She pulled a small, blue card out of her right pocket and handed it over to him. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Okay, some things just don’t make any sense. One: A loan shark would have someone beaten to death? No. It’s too personal. Two: Holly has a gambling problem? I don’t think so. If she did, she would be on Clay’s payroll. Three: Allison’s reaction. She seemed a little too cool; nothing like the woman who cried her eyes out last night. I need to see you, Holly. You’d better be honest with me.”