Kent Conwell - Tony Boudreaux 12 - Murder Among Friends by Kent Conwell

Author:Kent Conwell [Conwell, Kent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Thriller - P.I. - Texas & New Mexico
ISBN: 080347718X
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2011-02-09T06:26:00+00:00

Streetlights lit the well-maintained streets of Brentwood Estates. I pulled into the Edwards’ driveway, and Debbie met me at the door.

Her smile couldn’t hide the worry on her face. She led the way into the den, where Mrs. Edwards rose and greeted me. I could see the anxiety in her face also. “I hope you have some good news for us, Tony,” she said softly. “We’re worried sick.”

I shook my head. “I wish I did too. I talked to the police an hour ago. Nothing has turned up, but then they’ve only been looking for a day”

Debbie sat on the couch and dropped her head to her chest. She looked up at me, her eyes welling with tears. “It’s just that I feel so helpless”

I sat beside her and put my arm about her shoulders. I’d forgotten just how small she was. “We all feel like that, but we shouldn’t. We-you and your mother-we’re doing all we can”

Mrs. Edwards gasped. “Dear me, I forgot my manners. Would you care for some coffee, Tony?”

I declined. “No, thanks, but I’ve got a couple of questions you might be able to answer.”

She sat on the edge of the overstuffed chair at the end of the coffee table, hands folded demurely in her lap. “Certainly”

“First, did your husband ever mention a place called Lost Lake? It’s a fishing village in New Mexico.”

She and Debbie frowned at each other, and she shook her head. “No. Is it important?”

With a sheepish grin, I replied, “I don’t know yet. Now, your husband’s investments. Are you familiar with them?”

She gave me an embarrassed smile. “I’m afraid not. Carl handled all the money. But you might ask his CPA, Dillon Packard of Packard and Packard Accounting. Carl and Dill have worked together for years. He knows everything there is to know about our financial situation”

I frowned. “All right, but tell me, with Mr. Edwards gone, who takes care of the bills?”

Debbie spoke up. “Dill. Pop and Mom use credit cards on everything. The bills go to the accountants, and they take care of them. Pop gets-” She hesitated with a grimace. “Pop got a monthly statement from them. You want their number?”

“No. They’re in the directory, right?”

“Yes”

“Just do me a favor and call Packard in the morning first thing. Tell him I’m going to drop by”

“By all means,” replied Mrs. Edwards. “Is there anything else we can do?”

“One more thing. I’d like to look through your husband’s personal effects that you brought home from his office”

She and Debbie exchanged puzzled looks, but she smiled and replied, “Certainly, but what for?”

“On February 3, when your husband went to work, he had a bad cold. You remember that?”

Debbie looked at her mother expectantly. Her mother nodded. “Yes. Now that you remind me. Carl could barely talk”

“That’s what I learned. One of his co-workers suggested he go home, but he told them he couldn’t. He had a job he had to take care of. Now, I’m hoping somewhere in his effects is a hint of that job”

Debbie’s face blanched.

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