Fixer-Upper Murder by Brinegar Brittany E

Author:Brinegar, Brittany E [Brinegar, Brittany E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798223737292
Google: CZw70AEACAAJ
Publisher: Britt Lizz Publishing Company
Published: 2023-09-22T07:21:29+00:00

15

Good Bones

Light music from an oldies rock station played in the background as we drove to the Orange County Coroner’s Office in Santa Ana. I glanced across the red leather seat at my father behind the wheel. “You didn’t have to come, Dad. I know you have a lot going on at the house.”

“Of course I need to. You have an urgent appointment with Mrs. Dr. Eklund and no means of getting yourself there.” He upshifted… or maybe downshifted as he slowed to a stop. “Are you sure I never taught you to drive a stick?”

“Quite.”

“So, borrowing Cujo wasn’t an option.”

“Christine,” I corrected. It continued to amaze me that Gallagher bought a 1958 Plymouth Fury without understanding the Stephen King connection. “Cujo is the killer St. Bernard.”

“Who would write a story about an evil dog? That just sounds mean.” He rubbed the red-lined steering wheel while we waited at a train crossing and the setting sun glistened against the stylish chrome horn.

My eyes darted to the rearview mirror. For the second time today, I thought I detected someone following me. I twisted the mirror for a better view of the vehicle. “Looks like a Jaguar.”

Dad reached for the chrome-plated mirror on the dash. “What are you doing, Shortcake? It’s rather important the driver see.”

The railroad crossing lifted and the Jaguar turned in the opposite direction. I release a sigh. “I thought I recognized someone.”

Ever since the dinner with Clayton, I acted a skosh jumpy. I put on a brave face but in the back of my mind, I worried he might make good on his threats. But it was simple paranoia. Clayton didn’t know my real name or what car my dad drove.

Dad pulled into the parking lot and I jumped out before he shut off the car. “I’ll just be a minute. You can keep the AC running.”

“I’d like to come in with you and thank Esmerelda for giving me the information on the auction,” Gallagher said. “The house was a real steal, don’t you think?”

“Sure.” It wasn’t that I didn’t want my dad’s help, he tended to shift the focus of conversations. Case in point, I wanted to discuss the skeleton with the M.E. and Dad wanted to talk about home repair. The only silver lining was that Esmerelda didn’t care much for idle chitchat.

We entered the Orange County Sheriff’s station and followed the signs to the morgue in the basement. I knew from her complaints Esmerelda’s office was cattycorner to the elevator in a heavy foot traffic area.

I knocked on the partially open door. “Hey Doc, sorry I’m a tad late.”

She removed her reading glasses and spun from her giant computer monitor. “Right on time. I just sent my initial report to Chief Pacifier.”

My eyebrows arched. “That sounds promising. What did you find?”

Gallagher eased into an oddly comfortable geometric chair. “I want to thank you for the tip on the Lemon Hollow house.”

“What tip?”

“About the sheriff’s sale. It worked out quite favorably for us,” my dad said.

Lines formed across Esmerelda’s forehead.

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