“The driver forgot to attach the front one.”

“Shelby Pearce’s enemies?”

“Indications point in that direction.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s bad news. Curiosity is getting the best of me. Why are you here?”

His familiar disapproval clouded my intentions. “I have questions.”

“Shelby?” He frowned.

“I believe she’s innocent of embezzlement.”

Randy shook his head. “I’ve learned a lot about myself since my heart attack. Expect to learn a lot more. But hearing Shelby’s innocent? Not anything I expected. Neither do I believe it. Your questions?”

“What have you done since her prison release?”

He shrugged. “Guess it doesn’t matter. The same day Shelby arrived at the bus station, I got a call from a man who claimed to be Clay Pearce. He said he’d already talked to the sheriff, but he was afraid Shelby planned to come after him and his family. Needed my help to force her back into prison. I’d already argued with Edie about the idea of taking in an ex-con. Clay Pearce’s call cemented my commitment to run her out of town.” He lifted a finger my direction. “Yes, he talked to the sheriff about fear for his family, but his call happened a week before her release.”

“Did you shoot out the tire on Edie’s SUV?”

“Nope. But I placed a tracker app on the phone Edie gave Shelby and gave the account info to the caller.”

“What about Shelby’s burner phone?”

“Wasn’t aware she had one.”

“Arrange the first note under her door?”

“Guilty. Hired a young scumbag from one of the local bars to deliver it.” He snorted. “I broke the law to protect my sister and her family.”

“I need the name of the guy you paid.”

He nodded and gave it to me. “Sheriff Wendall asked me about the sympathy card you found. I don’t know a thing about it, and I didn’t write the newspaper article. I flunked junior English twice.”

“Do the names Arthur Shell, Stan Watson, Eli Chandler, or Nick Hanson mean anything to you?” I showed him the men’s pics.

“Never seen any of them before. When I got fired, the same guy called the next day. Not sure how the news traveled so fast. Unless we have a mole in our police department.” Randy waved at another man who walked by. “He told me Shelby was responsible for my dismissal and offered me ten grand to eliminate her. I refused to commit murder. Then I got drunk and got mad enough to take my own revenge.”

“Any other contact?”

“Nope.”

“Has Edie been here?”

“When I was in the hospital. My ex-wife is supposed to visit here tomorrow.”

“Need a prayer?”

“Nah. If I choose to change, I’ll do it on my own. Might not be worth it.”

“Any more contact from the caller?”

He eyed me. “No.” He pulled his cell phone from his jean pocket. “I tried to call a few times, and it just rang. Maybe you can trace the number. Trust me, someone has eyes on Shelby’s every move. Yours too.”