Bed & Breakfast 21 - Dead Man Docking by Mary Daheim

Author:Mary Daheim [Daheim, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mary Daheim
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2010-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

DEAD MAN DOCKING

149

“At all?” Rick responded casually.

Marco cleared his throat. “I meant to say that he isn’t wearing proper attire. He looks a bit . . . unkempt.”

“Biff,” Rick said, getting up from the table. “Excuse me, ladies. There may be news.”

“Biff,” Rhoda repeated after her husband had gone. “Such a shambles of a man. But he doesn’t mind doing the dog work.”

Judith glanced at her watch. It was after ten o’clock. She was anxious to call Joe, which she’d planned to do when they returned to the hotel. But if Biff McDougal really did have some new information, it might take a while to sort out. Excusing herself, she sought out Marco and asked where the telephones were located. She preferred not using her cell, since she hadn’t taken time to recharge the battery before leaving town.

Marco pointed the way. The booths, which were shaped like seashells, also happened to be near the alcove that led to the restrooms. Rick and Biff could be heard—but not seen—

talking in the open area between the men’s and women’s entrances. Judith couldn’t resist listening in.

“It’s gonna be all over the news tomorrow,” Biff said in a disgusted voice. “That dopey Buzz Cochran let himself get conned by Flakey Smythe.”

“Flakey’s conned more than one cop out of a story, Biff,”

Rick said. “Don’t beat yourself up over that. Buzz is a rookie. Give him some slack. He’s not used to subterfuge from journalists. That’s what makes Flakey a hotshot reporter. He’s sharp, he’s clever, he gets the scoops.”

“Flakey’s drunk half the time,” Biff grumbled. “I ought to know—I run into him all the time at my own hangouts. You can bet he doesn’t get anything out of me, even if he does offer to buy now and then.”

Judith was sitting in the booth at the end of the row. She pretended to dial, just in case the men suddenly came out of the alcove.

“What about Blackie?” Rick asked.

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Mary Daheim

“He’s up to something, all right,” Biff replied. “But he’s not talking. Not yet. Don’t worry, I’ve got my ways.”

“Of course you do,” Rick said agreeably.

“Anything new on Wilbur?” Biff inquired.

“He’s still missing.”

Biff cursed under his breath. “That Giddon woman’s gonna drive me ’round the bend. C’mon, Rick—you know anything I don’t?”

Judith heard Rick chuckle. “Do you think I’m holding back on you, old son?”

There was a pause. “Well—you do sometimes. I mean, you got all that stuff running around in your head like so many rats in a sewer—no offense, Rick—but you don’t always open up until you’re sure of a thing. You know what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I do, Biff. It’s my way of solving cases. No point in tipping my hand too soon. I may have misread my cards or misjudged another player. Be patient. I’d better get back to the dining room now. Keep me posted from your end.”

“Right.” There was a brief silence. Judith pretended she was talking into the phone. But Biff spoke again. “I might as well use the facilities while I’m here.

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