Denied by Mary Keliikoa

Author:Mary Keliikoa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Epicenter Press Inc.
Published: 2021-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Going to the Meadows for information didn’t mean messing with anyone. At least that was my justification for climbing into my Triumph after telling Kyle I’d be good and made the drive leaving Floyd at home. Claire had saved my number and felt compelled to call, which was huge. Most people didn’t want to get involved. The faster I figured out what happened in Vince’s world, the faster Stephanie would have her answers and I could put this case behind me.

The Portland Meadows hopped at night. The two bars were full of individuals from all walks of life. Construction workers dressed in Carhartt pants and reflective vests, businessmen in their pressed suits, and co-ed tables of carefree Millennials. Some were here for the beer and free pretzels. Commiserating the day’s events. The comradery. Better to drink together than go home and sip suds in front of the TV alone.

Some watched the never-ending loop of races that played on the overhead monitors. Others were getting their gambling fix in the casino. Missing were the blue-rinsed and carefully coifed little old ladies I’d seen in the noon to five crowd. They were likely back home watching Jeopardy and playing cribbage.

Claire stood behind the counter, wearing a “Got Luck?” hooded sweatshirt. Good question. After being stopped today by rent-a-cops, less than I’d thought. I scanned the area for Tyrone or Mickey as I approached Claire, thankful not to see either of them. “Appreciate your call.”

“Glad to help.” She smiled, her face lighting up. She seemed excited to be part of the hunt for Vince. “The guy who hung with Vince was sitting over there.” She lifted her chin in the direction of the bar. “Unfortunately, he left less than five minutes ago.”

“Shoot.” I’d come as fast I could, but it was a twenty minute drive on a good day. “Do you know his name?”

“No, but he was tall and younger. About your age, I guess.”

That described only a million-different people. “How often did he come around?”

“Enough to make me think he and Vince knew each other pretty well.”

“Did they spend time at the bar? Place bets together? What?”

“Mostly talked I guess. I’m not sure how great of friends they were because sometimes the tall guy would storm off, and other times Vince looked perturbed. But generally, the tall guy would come up to him at the bar, they’d talk over a beer, and the guy would go.”

None of that helped me figure out his identity. “Did he come around without Vince?”

“On occasion. Again, usually at the bar, placing bets, things like that.”

“And you’re sure you never overheard his name at some point?”

She shook her head. “I never spoke to him, and Vince never said.”

“Any tattoos, anything that would help me narrow it down?”

She thought about it as she shoved her hands in her sweatshirt. “Like I said, he’s tall. As in basketball tall.”

My thoughts flitted to Dylan, who worked for the trucking company and who might have lied about knowing Vince. Two guys who worked together might drive down here, grab a beer and gamble after their shift.

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