The state police had been watching Curtis Taylor since he passed the first marked bill and knew his routine. Since he left for work at six sharp every morning, they were on his front porch Wednesday morning at five forty-five. Ben rang the doorbell with his team standing behind him, and Curtis’s eyes widened when he opened the door.

“Mr. Taylor, I’m Ben Stevens with the state police. This is a warrant for your arrest for passing counterfeit currency and a search warrant for your residence, bank records, bank accounts, office, vehicle, and any other outbuilding on the premises.”

Ben’s team went around him and started through the house as he cuffed Curtis and read him his rights. Ben left a lieutenant in charge of the search while he took Curtis to the Sheriff’s Department.

During Ben’s visit with Curtis, Sheriff Cahill met with Michael Sinclair, the Mayor of Riverton Crossing, to inform him of the happenings that morning. The Sheriff also explained he needed an Acting Chief of Police and that Ben would come by his office when he finished his interrogation. Sheriff Cahill also made sure Deputy Smith attended a breakfast meeting in his place where the Sheriff’s Department was receiving an award so he’d be occupied for several hours. Ben and one of his men spent the next couple hours questioning former Chief of Police Curtis Taylor.

By the time all was said and done, Curtis Taylor told them everything they needed to know. He admitted to taking bribes and passing the counterfeit and marked currency. He also confirmed Evan’s suspicions regarding Anthony Agosta giving him a gram of heroin the night he derailed the investigation into the fire at the Gregory’s place.

Curtis continued to tell them he’d given the drugs to his cousin, Deputy Frank Smith, to blackmail Judge Harland Bishop. Even though he’d seen the picture Frank had shown Judge Bishop, he hadn’t seen the drugs again. He claimed Deputy Smith called him to meet at the swamp, but he didn’t go because he was with Ruby. Ben noted he needed to verify that.

Curtis finally agreed to be a witness for the state in exchange for a reduced sentence, which Ben would present to the Attorney General, but in the meantime Curtis would spend more time with DEA regarding the rest of the drugs. At the end of the day, he’d end up in protective custody with a team made up of each agency assigned to him.

Ben left to meet with the Mayor while the other agents oversaw Mr. Taylor’s statement writing and booking process.

When Ben arrived at the Mayor’s office, Sheriff Cahill was still there. The Mayor’s secretary ushered Ben in, and he relayed the extent of Curtis Taylor’s confession.

“Sheriff, Mayor. DEA and another state officer are with Mr. Taylor as he finishes writing his statement. Once they have that information, they’re getting a search warrant for Deputy Smith’s home, car, office, and bank accounts as well. At a minimum, he’ll be brought in for the assault of Harley Youngerner, and questioning for his murder. Based on the autopsy report, we know the drugs were given to Harley after he was practically beaten to death, and from everything we’ve found out, the drugs were just to taunt the Judge.

“You know we try not to humiliate someone in uniform so would you rather we wait until after his shift, Sheriff?”

“Hell no! I’ll bring him into my office, and you boys can address him there. I’ll take his gun belt and shield because I need my officers to see that I may be old, but I don’t put up with dirt. He needs to be made an example of.”

“What time is he due back from that meeting?”

“Mid-morning I suppose.”

“I’ll let everyone know. Mayor, do you have any questions for me?” Ben asked.

“Do you want to become my Chief of Police?”

“No, sir, but I know the perfect man you need. Can I send him by? The Sheriff knows him too.”

“Then let me hear it.”

They stayed another half hour telling Mayor Sinclair what he needed to know about the man. Ben set an appointment for him as they walked out of the office heading toward the Sheriff’s.

They were sipping their second cup of coffee when a knock sounded on the door. When the Sheriff yelled for whomever to come in, the desk clerk opened the door and told them Deputy Smith had called. The clerk relayed that Deputy Smith needed to pick up something in Cloverville before coming back to the office.

“Did he say what it was?”

“No, sir,” she said.

“Thank you.”

When Ben heard the door close, he looked at the sheriff. “What do you think that’s about?” What the hell?

“I have no idea. I didn’t send him over there.”

“Where does the Judge live?”

“He used to live in Cloverville, but he lives on the north side of town now. Why?”

“I don’t want those two near each other. I’m going to check on Taylor. Let me know if you hear anything from Smith.” Ben walked out with a smidgeon of suspicion in the back of his mind.