You know, he did. And I just thought it was him trying to make up this other life. Sort of trying to make us think he was important. He told us about some daughter he had that had gotten away. He said shed gone missing or something. Talked about how he was going to get her back, make up with his other daughter, too, and start a new life. Hed get emotional over it, but not in the way a normal person would. Hed get violent. Kicking tires, punching cars, things like that. Honestly, hes just a scary dude.

And you felt he was just making it all up?

I did.

Mr. Kramer, can you tell me what the fight was about a few months back?

It was the first time Kramer came off as uneasy. He looked to the floor for a moment, a trick Kate had seen multiple times from people who were simply trying to buy time. It wasnt a hard equation; she knew that Nick had been doing hard drugs and selling them as well. It wasnt a stretch to assume that Jack Kramer might have been one of his customers.

I assure you, I am only here to find out information about Mr. Sanders. Anything you may have been involved with concerning him will not be held against you.

Jack eyed her skeptically and let out a sigh. I loaned him some money. Well, I didnt loan it to him…I gave him some to score me some pot. He said he could get the really good stuff, you know?

Kate was fairly certain that Nick Sanders didnt waste his time with pot, but she let it slide. Did he cheat you?

Yeah. He basically stole the money from me and didnt do much to even deny it. Things got heated when I confronted him and we started throwing punches.

Is that why you quit working for Bill? Kate asked.

Partly. I had been talking to the people at my new place of employment for quite a while. The pay is about the same and I have to drive a bit farther but at least I wouldnt have to put up with Nick.

When he mentioned his family, do you know what he meant when he said he had a daughter that had gotten away?

No. But I figured if he was telling the truth at allwhich I honestly still doubthe meant she had gotten lost in the foster system or something. I cant quite imagine Nick Sanders being a father.

Any other altercations between the two of you?

No. That was it. I mean wed argue over work stuff but that was about it. When he wasnt being all pissy and violent, he kept to himself. A moody sort of guy. Just…I dont know. Hes not the kind of guy youd want to hang around with, you know?