Johnnie Finds a Dead Body by DS Whitaker

Author:DS Whitaker [Whitaker, DS]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Robin squirmed at her desk, trying to concentrate on the papers before her. A vote was coming up next month on a new zoning plan. After the hurricanes, investors sought to change zoning to consolidate tracts of condemned residential properties to build big resorts. The legislature would not turn its back on residents. These proposals were likely DOA.

Dottie burst through her door. “Urgent call. Judge Montrose. Can I put him through?”

She put down the proposal. “Is it about Johnnie?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Yes, put it through.” A couple seconds later, Robin answered on the first ring. “Your honor, nice to speak with you again. What can I do for you?”

“Robin, I have a search warrant on my desk for your brother’s place. As a courtesy, I wanted you to know I’ll be signing it within the next half-hour.”

The air went out of her lungs. “Oh. Yes, thank you for letting me know. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please don’t hesitate…”

“Goodbye.” The line went dead.

Shit. The diary. She looked through her calendar. A meeting with the Economic Council began in fifteen minutes. She screamed, “DOTTIE!”

Dot reappeared, “Yes, ma’am? What can I do?”

Dottie was always listening in. A few years older, she was a fixture in the building. Her superpowers were knowing every soul on the island, and spreading gossip faster than a peregrine falcon in a race against a Lamborghini. Which was exceptionally fast. “Did you hear that?”

Dot blushed. “I, um. Yes.”

“Take my phone. In my contacts, find Gertrude Brown. Tell her to retrieve John’s diary. It should have a black leather cover, about the size of a steno pad. Tell her to keep it, hide it, until he gets back. She has to get it right now.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Dottie took the phone and jogged out.

Robin rested her head on her desk, moaning slightly. Maybe she should have asked Gertie to burn the damned diary. Who knew what kinds of insane rantings were in it? Even Johnnie’s most benign innermost thoughts could trouble a jury, leading to a conviction. Dr. Phillips insisted a daily journal was part of the healing and mood management process. But most patients didn’t get into the trouble Johnnie did. The diary could put him away for life, guilty or not.

Three minutes later, Dot came back, returning the cell phone. “Gertie understands and will get it right away.”

Robin eased her head off the desk. “Thanks, Dot.” She noticed the time on her phone and bolted up. “My ten o’clock economic committee meeting is starting soon. Come get me the second Mr. Greaves arrives.”

Dot nodded. “Can I get you some coffee?”

She straightened her jacket and began gathering materials for the meeting, stacking papers. “Yes. With a dash of secret sauce.”

Drinking on the job was not something she was proud of, but she needed relief. A couple dashes of rum wouldn’t hurt.

But if this kept up, she might need to refill her Xanax prescription, and she hadn’t touched the stuff since her divorce. That was a dark time she didn’t want to revisit.

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