Bubba's Ghost by Marja McGraw

Author:Marja McGraw [McGraw, Marja]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal Cozy, Murder, Murder Investigation, Amateur Sleuth, Ghosts, Cozy, PI, Private Investigator, Los Angeles, California, Hauntings
Publisher: Marja McGraw
Published: 2013-05-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-one

“I said Michael Frendd’s second wife was Julia Paley. Does that name ring a bell?”

“Stan, if you were here right now, I’d give you a big fat, sloppy kiss. You have no idea how important this is. Good job!”

Detective Chase was watching me closely, obviously waiting to see if my phone call had anything to do with the murder.

“Tell Pete I’ll call him later. And thanks for going up there to help him.”

Stanley chuckled. “He said you didn’t need me in Covina because you had ‘the big fat mutt’ to help you. There seems to be a problem between Pete and that dog.”

I didn’t have time to discuss Bubba. “Stan, I’ll talk to you later. And thanks again.”

I pushed the Off button on the cell phone and turned to Detective Chase. “We do need to talk some more, but before you ask me any questions, I’ve got some information for you.”

He didn’t say anything, but folded his arms across his chest and waited for me to speak.

“It looks like John Frendd may be Officer Paley’s stepbrother. I’d say that might account for his strange behavior throughout this whole mess.”

Without commenting, Detective Chase left the kitchen and walked out the front door. I followed behind him, but when I saw him approaching Paley, I held back. Better to stay out of this one.

I sat down with Chrissy and Ted. She was shivering, probably from shock and fear. The front door was open and the cold wind blew into the house, which only added to her chill. I asked Ted to find a sweater for her.

“What’s going on?” Chrissy asked. “That detective’s face looked like a volcano about to erupt.”

Before I could answer, we heard loud voices coming from the front yard. Well, actually it was only Paley’s voice. Detective Chase seemed to be maintaining his cool. He had the upper hand. The wind seemed to whip their words away and I couldn’t understand what they were saying.

Ted returned with a sweater for Chrissy and draped it over her shoulders.

“We found out what the connection between Paley and Frendd is. It seems that John Frendd was Todd Paley’s stepbrother.”

Chrissy put her hand to her mouth and rolled her eyes. “Now it all begins to make sense.”

Ted finally spoke up. “They were stepbrothers? So that’s why that son-of-a-bitch wouldn’t help Chrissy.” He stood up and turned toward the front door.

I placed my hand on his arm, but he shook it off.

“Ned, uh, Ted, don’t go out there. Let the police take care of it.” What a lousy time for Dolly’s nickname to pop out of my mouth.

“Like they’ve done so far?” Apparently he hadn’t noticed my little mistake.

“Ted, they’re not all related to Frendd.” Chrissy was trying to be the voice of reason. “Officer Paley is the only one who hasn’t helped.”

“Thanks to Paley, now you’ve got a dead body in your basement.” He was angry, ready to storm outside and let Paley have it. Maybe. Or was it all show?

Chrissy began to cry.

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