Fortune's Wheel by J. A. Whiting

Author:J. A. Whiting [Whiting, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J A Whiting/Whitemark Publishing
Published: 2017-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

15

Claire made a phone call to Ian and he was at her townhouse within ten minutes pulling up to the curb and jumping out with concern etched on his face. Putting his arm around Claire and pulling her close, he asked, “Are you okay? Is there any sign of forced entry?”

Claire was still steaming over someone’s attempt at intimidation with the red powder spread over her entryway. “It doesn’t look like it. The front door is closed and locked. I didn’t walk around to the back so I’m not sure if anyone broke in that way.”

A squad car arrived and the officers checked around the building. Samples of the dust were taken and in thirty minutes, the cops were gone leaving Ian, Claire, and the dogs in the townhouse kitchen.

“Who did it?” Claire ranted. “Oh, how I wish there were security cameras out front. How dare someone leave ochre on my steps. How dare someone attempt to harass me.”

Ian sat at the kitchen island sipping a coffee. “Have you considered that the person who did this is Leslie’s killer?”

Claire stopped pacing around the room and took a deep breath. “I guess, subconsciously, yes.” A look of worry washed over her. “I was so angry about someone coming here to try and frighten me there wasn’t any room for fear or worry in my head. Until now.” She sat on the stool next to Ian.

“I didn’t say it to scare you.” Ian reached for Claire’s hand. “It’s just that I don’t think it was done as a practical joke. It was done by someone who knows the circumstances of Leslie’s death, which wouldn’t be hard to know since the detail about the red powder was in the news article the other day.” The detective paused. “It was also done by someone who knows you’re interviewing people and looking into the case … and that’s the part that worries me.”

“Someone’s sending me a message.” Claire’s voice was heavy.

“It might be someone you’ve talked to already, but it might also be someone who has heard you’re interviewing people related to the death.”

“Right. It could be someone I’ve yet to speak with, but who is in contact with one of the people I’ve met.” Claire crossed her arms on the counter. “That doesn’t exactly narrow it down.”

“The powder wasn’t on the steps when you left this morning?” Ian asked.

“I’m sure it wasn’t. When the dogs and I left the house, the steps were clear.”

“Then it was done sometime during the day. In broad daylight.” Ian looked at Claire. “Bold, isn’t it? To do that with no darkness to hide in and when people are walking around the neighborhood. Interesting. Why wouldn’t the person spread the powder at night?”

“It wouldn’t take long to sprinkle it around,” Claire said. “The person could have acted like a tourist. Carry a camera, act like you’re interested in the historic buildings, wander around, and when no one is in sight, go up to the door and spread the ochre. What would it take? Five seconds? Not even.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.