Calder Road by R C Ducantlin

Calder Road by R C Ducantlin

Author:R C Ducantlin
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: female detective, conspiracy thriller, murder mystery, detective fiction, Crime Fiction
Published: 2024-03-09T16:00:00+00:00


SIXTEEN

Kendel Oensted’s small ranch-style house is pristine. All the homes on this block are constructed from one of three floorplans. Builders build in bulk to save money — the houses on Kendel’s side of the street back up to the high school’s athletic fields. Carin is standing on the porch, listening to the seventy-nine-year-old former detective through the screen door.

“I wondered how long it would take you to get around to me.” Ignoring the tart tone from the old-timer, Carin presses forward politely.

“I waited for the right time. With all the nice things you said about me in the press, I wanted our first meeting to be important.”

“Is it important?”

“I think so.”

Kendel pushes the screen far enough for Carin to grab the frame, pull it wide, and let herself into the Oensted home.

“Is Mrs. Oensted home?”

“There is no Mrs. Oensted — never was. A detective should know the background of whoever they are interviewing. Well, as much background as possible. No one can know everything, can they?”

Sitting in the main room, looking through the sunroom at the back of the house, Carin spies binoculars next to a box of tissues and a worn Barcalounger. Kendel likes watching the girls on the athletic field. With no Mrs. Kendel, maybe the old pervert is watching the boys and the girls. Noticing Carin scanning the sunroom, Kendel preemptively defends himself.

“Yes, Detective, before you let your mind wallow in the gutter, I watch football practice from the sunroom. I like to watch in the winter when the hockey team practices in the outdoor rink.” Not believing Kendel and ignoring the musty smell of a home that never opens a window, Carin is all business.

“Mr. Oensted, what can you tell me about Robert LeClare?”

“Everything. You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“When did you know he was dealing drugs?”

“Wrong question. Start again.”

“When did you become aware that Robert LeClare might be involved in illegal activities?”

“Excellent. You learn quickly. Breaking the Deena Demchuk case was a good piece of work. But, admit it, you got lucky. Bobby thought he was big time.”

“Hard work and luck. Isn’t that how it goes in our profession? I was asking about Robert Senior, but we can discuss Bobby.”

“I suppose it is — I first learned of Bobby LeClare when his sister propositioned me. Tee-Cee was fifteen and already hooking. I arrested her, called social services, and waited.”

“You refer to Tercia as Tee-Cee. Waited for what?”

“In the prowler, on the way to the station, she told me Robert made her do it. Their mom was long gone, and their dad could not find any, or he refused to work. Welfare checks don’t go far. Why work when your daughter is making more than you ever did? Bobby and Tee-Cee started in the business at fourteen or fifteen.”

“Confirming Tee-Cee is Tercia LeClare?”

“Yes, Tee-Cee had a lot of names. Most people called her Terci.”

“I see. What happened with social services?”

“I knew Bobby would show up to collect his sister. I talked social services into letting Tee-Cee go home with her brother.



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