Deemer's Inlet by Stephen Burdick

Author:Stephen Burdick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Down & Out Books

Chapter 16

The afternoon turned out to be nice and quiet, opening the door for an uneventful ride to the sheriff’s office. Dropping off the pendant to Sergeant Fee, I cut short my visit and headed west on Ulmerton Road.

A return to Deemer’s Inlet along the coast pushed aside the morning’s mental gymnastics. Not to say that I was ignoring Rocco’s lobby or Marty’s predicament. I simply wanted some alone time to think.

My suspicion of Seth was growing by the minute. Not so much his interaction with Marty as his being at Hannigan’s. Two months in new surroundings provided plenty of time for an intelligent person to acclimate, especially if the way was paved beforehand. But I wasn’t buying Seth’s assertion that he took positions requiring less effort as a means of stress relief. While I appreciated someone with ambition, bouncing around from job to job could also mean getting out while the getting was good. Translation: disappearing before some sharp detective caught on.

The unexplained phone calls added mystery to the quick exits Marty observed. Having her worried another woman had entered the picture was a perfect cover for other undertakings. If she complained, he could apologize, saying he didn’t want to bore her with the menial tasks of his work. Or, as she noted, he could assume an adversarial pose, claiming she was becoming too possessive and end the relationship. He’d already displayed the ability to read people, and I suspected his calculating mind concocted avenues of escape long before he approached a candidate. Blessed with a gregarious personality, and a quick though forced smile, Seth could easily manipulate people, thereby creating the means to his personal goal—a goal yet to be revealed.

Another item of note I found interesting was his casual attire. I’m certain that when on the job he dressed the part of a successful salesman oozing with confidence. During my interactions with him, though, he dressed down—not sloppy or unkempt—more of a rich kid being cool approach. Oddly, the usual gold trophies around his neck or on his hands didn’t exist. He didn’t even wear a watch. I realize the younger generation relies on other means for the time of day, but I would have thought Seth to be a Rolex or Breitling kind of guy. If that were the case, the pendant wouldn’t fit unless it figured into his business wardrobe.

Marty seemed to be back to her old self when I walked into the office. I hoped she hadn’t made a decision too soon. Hoped she had taken time to think it through before passing the news on to Seth.

“Sam called. He wants to talk to you before you leave today.”

I dropped my head. “Marty, do you suppose others in my position have to deal with council members as often as I do? Small town chiefs, I mean?”

“No, Eldon, I think you’re one of the chosen.”

“That’s what I figured.”

I sat down at my desk, picked up the receiver, and thought, I hope he doesn’t want an update on the murders.

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