Fire Blight by Nat Williams

Author:Nat Williams [Williams, Nat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781705358122
Published: 2019-12-02T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 44

Doug Munro watched from a partially opened door of the sheriff’s office as Purcell left the courthouse and headed toward his truck. Bachelor returned to his office. Munro and Carroll had already moved from behind the desk and stood beside it. Bachelor stood at his desk and resumed his pencil-tapping routine. He looked at Munro.

“Well, go ahead.”

“Go ahead and what?”

“Tell me how I screwed that up. Think I was too aggressive?”

Munro pulled out a chair and sat down. Bachelor and Carroll followed suit.

“I don’t think you screwed it up. I doubt if I would have done anything different. The noose is tightening. We’re getting closer and he knows it. Don’t be discouraged.”

“I thought it was good,” Carroll said. “Purcell’s coming unraveled. That means he’ll be more likely to slip up.”

“I agree,” Munro said.

“So it’s time for the next step,” Bachelor said. “We need to see if Obie can lead us to the promised land. But this will be a delicate operation, wouldn’t you say?”

“Surveillance may be the key. We can follow Obie, David and Janet around for a two-fold purpose - gather more evidence and learn what shakes Obie’s tree. Make it seem as if cooperating with us is the best of some bad options.”

“On the other hand, what if we’re missing something?” Bachelor said. “What if we’re on the wrong track and Janet is involved? And if she’s involved somehow, maybe Obie is too.”

“That’s a possibility. But I believe we’re in agreement that Janet and Obie are weak suspects. And you’ve lost David; he’s lawyered up. So we … you … have to take the next step. I believe they’re clean. Sure, profiling is overrated, but observational skills have value. I’ve spent a lot of my career examining the outward manifestation of inward feelings and I feel pretty good about Janet and Obie being on the outside of this crime.”

Bachelor gestured to Carroll.

“J.C., why don’t you head out to Tucker’s current address? Ask him if he remembers anything else. Keep your ears and eyes open.”

“Good idea,” Carroll said, grabbing his hat. “I’m sure I can wing it.”

After Carroll left, Munro looked down pensively.

“Sheriff, I don’t want to butt in on your case. But I’d be glad to help out with the surveillance. I don’t mean any offense.”

“The only offense is calling me sheriff. From now on it’s Frank, OK?”

“Understood.”

“And I’m warming to the idea of you running surveillance. Your observational skills could come in handy.”

“I need to stay in the saddle,” Munro said. “Plus, maybe I can pick up some more leads in my case.”

Bachelor grinned.

“What?” Munro said.

“You haven’t gotten involved in anything like this in a while, have you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’ll bet you don’t get a chance very often to roll up your sleeves and jump into some good, old-fashioned cop work. Don’t you mainly run white-collar stuff? I have an idea you relish the adventure.”

Munro smiled.

“If you’re not careful you’re going to start finishing my sentences. I have to admit, chasing bad-boy bean counters often lacks a certain - shall we say - jouissance.

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