Cry Wolf: A Mack Macklin Mystery (Mack Macklin Mysteries Book 1) by DL Link

Author:DL Link [Link, DL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945419515
Publisher: Fawkes Press
Published: 2020-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

11

The Corolla was still across from Penelope’s. There wasn’t much in it worth stealing, but the stereo was still intact and the key where I left it in the center console. I’d been half-hoping someone would take it off my hands. One of the disadvantages of small-town life, I guessed. People were too damned honest.

The weather had been good to me, but the clouds hanging over New Birmingham looked threatening. Without a back window, rain would be inconvenient. I didn’t have tape or plastic or the ambition to do a patch job, so I took my chances.

I enjoyed the short drive to the cluster of farms. People waved to me as I passed on Main Street. Even some of the women in Lycra had a smile for me this time. My how things change in a hurry. When I got outside town, there were no more pretty faces, but the rolling meadow framed by forest made for a decent substitute.

The line of farms made a lot more sense now that I understood their purpose. As Rosie had said, each south-facing roof was covered in solar panels, and the barns being lined up in straight rows led me to assume they were connected somehow, underground conduit being the most likely. With them all being identical, I had no idea where to start. I settled on the northernmost because the gate was open.

There were two cars and three pickup trucks parked along the side of the barn. I found a spot for the Corolla and started toward the barn. I noticed surveillance cameras under the eaves at the corners. The wide door was open a crack, and there was no one outside, so I went in.

On the inside, the place didn’t look like a barn. It didn’t look like what I expected, either. I’d been picturing one big open space with row after row of tables with plants under lights. That was somewhere, I was sure, but all I saw was a walled-off reception area with a bank of lockers on one side and a long line of Durex suits hanging from a rod on the other. A green door led deeper into the barn, and another door, this one white, was labeled OFFICE.

I tried the office. It was a small space, enough room for a metal desk, filing cabinet, and not much else. A man sat behind the desk, bored eyes scrolling over a computer screen. To say he perked up when he saw me would be an exaggeration.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” I said.

He wore thick glasses and a few days stubble, a wrinkled polo and a pair of white earbuds. I couldn’t see the place getting a whole lot of visitors, but if he was surprised by my appearance, he hid it well.

“My name’s Macklin,” I said. “I’m hoping you can help me.”

He gave me a blank look.

“How long have you worked here?”

“Years,” he said, like some people would say forever.

“Good.” I got close to the desk, hovering over him. “I’m investigating a disappearance.

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