“Not yet,” he said, opening the door wider. “Why don’t you both come in and we’ll talk. My wife is at work.” We walked inside and sat down on the black, leather couch in the living room. Gary sat across from us, grabbing one of the files from the coffee table. “I pulled every single file I thought might help.”
I picked up one and it was Jacob Privette’s. There was nothing in it other than him being brought in as a suspect in Levi’s accident—he was clean, and so was Mark Danvers. “Do you have a file on Brad Hendrix?” I asked.
Gary shook his head. “He doesn’t have a record. The man’s never gotten so much as a speeding ticket. Other than his competitive streak, we have nothing on him. Who all have you been investigating?”
Micah tossed the files I gave him back on the table and reached for more. “We looked at the men who attacked Richard a few years ago, and came up blank. One of them is dead and the other two moved away. They haven’t been in this area for years.”
Gary nodded. “You’re right. I knew them. They were dirty men. I hauled the McLain brothers into the station plenty of times.”
I looked through more files, but there was nothing that could help us. “Did you find anything at the scene where Levi wrecked?”
Gary closed his eyes and sighed. “Only death. I keep wishing I could unsee it, but every time I talk to his parents, the images come back. It wasn’t easy recovering his body.”
“What about his motorcycle?” Micah questioned. “If someone ran him off the road, there had to be some kind of damage.”
Gary nodded. “There was, but his bike was all but destroyed. It’s still at my nephew’s shop, if you want to take a look. Maybe you two will be able to find something I couldn’t. He has some other bikes there that need fixin’ up, so I can tell him you’re looking for a project.”
I looked at Micah. “Let’s do it. If there’s anything there, we’ll find it.” Then to Gary, I said, “Micah and I’ll take turns going over there so we’re not seen together.”
“Sounds good,” Gary said. “There probably won’t be anyone there if you want to go now.” He wrote down the address and handed it to me.
“I think I’ll do that. I have some time on my hands, before I have to get to the track.” Getting to my feet, I held out my hand. “I’ll call you if we find something.”
He shook my hand again. “Good deal. If there’s anyone you want me to keep an eye on, let me know.”
For a second, I thought about giving him Sean’s name, but thought better of it. Sean had been a part of the community even longer than I had. Now that he was co-owner of Bennett Racing, people knew and respected him. “Thanks, Gary. We’ll keep you posted.”
Micah shook his hand and followed me outside.
Before I could get in my truck, he placed his hand on the door. “What’s on your mind, Chandler? You were going to say something in there and held back. What was it?”
“I’m keeping an eye out on Sean.”
His brows furrowed. “Kassidy’s friend and stepbrother? Isn’t he also co-owner of Bennett Racing?” I nodded. “Why would you think he had anything to do with this?”
“Sean and Kassie were together at one point. Back when we were dating, I knew he had feelings for her. I could see it. After I left, they got together. We’re not exactly on good terms right now.”
“What does Kassidy say about this?”
I shrugged. “She doesn’t want to hear it. But you know what it’s like out there. Our worst enemy’s usually the closest to us.”
Sighing, he slapped me on the shoulder. “I understand, bro. Since I’m not racing for Hendrix, I have plenty of time on my hands. I’ll keep a look out for him.”
“Thanks. I’ll talk to ya soon. I’m gonna head over and inspect Levi’s bike.”
“Good deal,” he said, opening his truck door. “Send me the address and I’ll check it out later this afternoon.”
We separated ways and I started down the road toward Costner’s Garage. I wasn’t ready to see Levi’s bike, but I had no choice.
When I pulled down the road to the garage, the doors were closed but they opened as soon as I got out of my truck. A guy a little younger than me walked out and waved, his clothes were covered in grease. He had dirty blond hair and was extremely skinny, but I could see the resemblance to Gary in his face.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Drew Costner.”
I shook his hand and nodded in greeting. “Logan Chandler.”
“Oh, I know who you are. When my uncle called and said you were stopping by, I didn’t believe him. You were my favorite racer growing up. Where have you been?”
Chuckling, I released his hand. “In Charlotte,” I replied. “After my accident, my family moved me there to get the medical help I needed.”
His eyes brightened. “And now you’re back. Does that mean you’ll be racing again?”
I nodded. “Yep. I’m back on the Bennett team. I thought I’d give it another go before I get too old.” I was only thirty, which was a couple years older than the average age of racers.
“That’s fucking amazing. I guess you’ll be in Virginia this weekend then?”