City of Fear by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Suspense, Police Procedural, Women Sleuths, Thrillers
ISBN: 9781094372907
Google: DdYREAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Blake Pierce
Published: 2021-10-26T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was easy enough to locate George Pickett’s valet. As sad as it seemed, he was at the tailor’s shop, making sure George’s suit for Penny’s funeral would be properly adjusted before his daughter was put into the ground. The valet’s name was Raymond Dove, a thirty-eight year-old man that looked closer to fifty. When Ava found him at the tailor’s shop, he seemed high strung and very nervous.

She was able to identify him easily enough, by simply flashing her badge at the woman behind the counter. The reaction she got form the woman was a drastic change from what she’d been getting from the men of this city. The woman seemed almost proud of her and was more than happy to point out Mr. Pickett’s valet.

Raymond Dove was sitting on a chair along the far right wall, nervously tapping his foot on the wooden floor while he read the day’s paper. His hair was dapper and well maintained, just like the button-down shirt and black pants he wore. When Ava approached him, he looked up at her with the sort of rapt attention a man always looking over his shoulder might display.

“Are you Mr. Raymond Dove?” Ava asked.

“I am. And who’s asking?” he looked irritated that he’d been bothered but also slightly concerned.

She subtly showed her him her badge, not wanting to make a big production out of it. Raymond looked at it as if Ava had performed an amazing magic trick. “I’m Detective Ava Gold. I was hoping to ask you some questions about Penny Pickett and what happened to her.”

The statement clearly shocked him and it was the last thing he’d expected to hear. “I’m sure you can understand that we have been instructed not to discuss this matter with anyone outside of the family.”

“Even the police?” Ava pressed.

Raymond had nothing to say to that. He looked past Ava, back to the main counter as if willing George’s suit to be ready. Ava decided to continue, to keep talking as if Raymond had invited her to do so. So far, he was not striking her as the type to cause a scene or put up much of a fight.

“How long have you been working as Mr. Pickett’s valet?”

He looked nervously at her but he seemed to be one of the few men in town that respected a badge regardless of the gender of the person that was carrying it. “Going on two years now.”

“Is he a good man to work for? A fair man?”

“Absolutely. Working for him has changed my life for the better.”

“Have you ever seen him lose his temper?”

“A few times. Mostly with things related to work. The man is very passionate about his business.”

Ava didn’t like these answers. It felt far too much like speaking to an actor that was reading off of a very specific script. She figured it was time to try to trip him up. “Were you inside the house at all on the morning Penny’s body was found?”

“No. I wasn’t due to arrive at their home at all that day, not until Mr.

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