Kent Conwell - Tony Boudreaux 06 - Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell

Author:Kent Conwell [Conwell, Kent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Thriller - P.I. - Texas
ISBN: 0803497881
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2006-06-09T08:12:00+00:00

I reached my apartment just after nine. Calling my insurance agent, I made an appointment to have my truck windows replaced the next day. Then I called Fred Seebell, arranging an interview for nine o’clock the next morning at his business, the Congress Avenue Pharmacy.

To be honest, I figured I was wasting my time. Both the list compiled by the hall monitors and the video shot by Chase Sherman, the band director, exonerated Seebell, but until I interviewed him, my investigation was not complete. I grumbled. “The only way he could have reached Holderman was to have made himself invisible or grown wings.”

Next, taking care to block my call with a *67, I rang the Ranchman’s Motel in Amarillo, uncertain as to how I could pry information about Vanderweg aka Villafono from the staff of the motel. The night clerk, whom I guessed to be an older man by the palsy in his voice, answered. Putting on my best detective voice, I took the part of a lieutenant for the Houston Police Department. “We’re trying to run down the whereabouts of Nelson Villafono. He stayed with you a few weeks back.”

“Sorry. The name doesn’t ring a bell,” the old man replied, his tone indifferent. I had the feeling I’d interrupted his favorite TV program.

“I’d appreciate if you’d check your records, sir. You see, we suspect him of being part of a scam that has hit several cities in the state by taking advantage of our elderly citizens. Promises of new roofs or patching driveways. This guy gets the money up front for materials, then vanishes. You’d be doing us a big favor if you can come up with some information about him.” I crossed my fingers, hoping I’d guessed right about the clerk.

His reaction was more than I hoped. “Why, that dirty … there was a bunch of them what come through here a few years back, but I didn’t fall for it “

I couldn’t resist grinning. He probably leaped at their offer like a ten-pound bass at a June bug and got himself hooked tight. “Can you see if he was there?”

“You bet. Hold on.”

He left me listening to Willie Nelson music. When he came back, he had what I’d been hoping for. “Yeah. He was here the first week in October. I remember him because he checked in driving a beat-up Olds and left in a black Mercedes. I wondered where he got the money. Now I know.”

“What home address did he give when he registered?”

“Huh?”

“Home address. When he registered. What home address did he give?”

“Oh, okay. Let’s see. “Phoenix. Explorer Apartments on Silverado Street, 67203 Silverado.”

“How long did he stay with you?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see.” I heard him counting under his breath. “About five weeks or so “

I thanked the old man and hung up. Five weeks. He must have remained around for some time after buying the Mercedes. Why?

It was almost ten, but if I remembered my time zones right, it was nine in Phoenix. I called Explorer Apartments.

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.