“Thing is,” Isaac said, “I have yet to figure out if I’m Robert Duvall or Michael Caine.”

“Maybe the lion.” I smiled.

Denton gave me a thumbs-up with his non-IV hand. “While I’m in a coherent mode, update me on the two attacks.”

Isaac told him about identifying the shooters from the security camera through facial-recognition software and the dead man’s criminal record. “We learned his name was Arthur Shell. You’ll probably find more info with your FBI security. Your clearance outranks mine. The driver who took off was Eli Chandler. He drove a dark pickup minus the front license plate.”

“Anyone else?”

“Not that I’m aware.”

Denton reached for his phone on the nightstand and typed. His impassive look gave no signs of his reaction to what he’d learned. He peered at Isaac and Sheriff Wendall. “I can’t share some of what I learned with Shelby, but I have a couple of questions for her first.”

My heart thumped. “Go ahead. Then I’ll walk to the cafeteria. A Coke sounds good right now.”

“Take one of those officers posted outside my door.”

“I think you’re the center of attraction.”

He tried to scowl but it obviously hurt. “Did you recognize the dead man? Or does the name Eli Chandler mean anything to you?”

“No.”

Denton showed me a photo on his phone of a dark-haired man. “Ever see this guy?”

“No. Is he Chandler?”

“Right.”

“My turn,” I said. “Where is he from?”

“Miami.”

“Do you think our attacks are connected to the missing money?”

“Maybe it’s not about the money,” Denton said.

Isaac cleared his throat. “The sheriff and I have been discussing the same thing. The answer could lead to the crimes we’ve experienced of late.”

“I’ve spent brain cells on this, and I have no suspects.” I thought about the possibilities. “I had enemies inside prison, and they were interested in the money. But this doesn’t feel right. Too many people involved. But you might be right.”

Sheriff Wendall closed the hospital room door. “Can’t be Randy unless he’s gotten mixed up with the wrong guys. Known him a long time, and he has a short fuse. Sometimes I think he fell off a wagon headfirst—he’s all about doing the job, not digging a hole to bury someone else.”

Isaac secured our attention. “My opinion is it’s a waste of time to consider anything but a situation with the money. While the amount doesn’t seem significant in contrast with what’s happening, the thief might be worried Shelby can ID him. If he invested it, either legal or otherwise, he has a tidy sum to protect.”

Denton closed his eyes, no doubt weary and in pain. “I’ll handle the FBI checking everything we’ve discussed.”

“Good,” Sheriff Wendall said. “I’ll talk to Edie and Amy-Jo about Shelby needing a few days to herself.”

I thanked him. “My new friends need protection. I just wish I knew from whom.”

The sheriff’s phone buzzed, and he read a message. “If that don’t beat all. Highway patrol found the truck Chandler was driving. Abandoned about a mile from the trailer. Set on fire, but it matches the description.”