Merry Christmas Murder by Rachel Woods

Author:Rachel Woods [Woods, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BonzaiMoon Books LLC

24

“Forget about Tom Giacomo,” advised Vivian, tapping her red editing pencil against the rim of her coffee mug. “I want you to focus on Clark Orduno. The victim in the burned car is more interesting than a retired teacher who was the victim of an attempted robbery while playing Santa Claus at a local mall.”

Though not surprised by his Managing Editor’s directive, Beanie said, “A retired teacher who might be a drug smuggler.”

Vivian rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you just tell me that you didn’t believe that?”

“Just because I don’t believe it doesn’t mean it’s not true,” said Beanie. “Objective journalism has no room for personal opinion.”

“No, but objective journalism must consider the source,” countered Vivian. “You really want to take the word of gossipy ex-pats who swill Palmitos at one o’clock in the afternoon?”

Exhaling, Beanie conceded Vivian the point.

“Listen, I know you don’t want to deal with Janvier,” said Vivian. “Especially after you found out that Lucy Taylor, the witness he’d been searching for to question, was at St. Killian General and told Officer Fields instead of him, which was a mistake.”

Beanie frowned. “How was telling the cops about Lucy a mistake?”

“You told Officer Fields because you knew it would piss off Janvier,” said Vivian. “But you could have used that information to barter with the detective. You could have established a relationship based on the exchange of information.”

Sighing, Beanie conceded another point.

“I don’t expect you and Janvier to become friends,” said Vivian. “But I do expect you to be savvy enough to recognize moments when you can curry favor. You think I liked having cocktails with mercenaries and shady politicians? You have to learn the art of quid pro quo.”

Nodding, Beanie said, “I know, but I don’t want to look at Janvier, let alone scratch the guy’s hairy back.”

Chuckling, Vivian shook her head. “How do you know it’s hairy? Never mind. Don’t answer that. Here’s what you do instead. Since you’ve probably blown it with Janvier, you’ll have to go around him instead of to him. Find out more about Clark Orduno. There’s no way he shot himself and then set the car on fire. Figure out who wanted him dead and why.”

Moments later, back at his desk, Beanie accessed several information databases to start his investigation of Clark Orduno. Consulting the notes from his cousin Seymour and the police report Officer Fields had smuggled to him, Beanie filled out the online form. As he waited for the results of a basic background search, he grabbed his cellphone and Googled “Electra Complex.”

The definition shocked him, but he didn’t think the psychological disorder could be applied to Gail Giacomo. The woman was loyal to her father, but Beanie doubted there was any hidden sexual longing behind her devotion.

Standing, he walked to the breakroom for a second cup of late afternoon coffee. Although part of him had wanted to indulge in one of Florence Taylor’s Palmitos, Beanie knew that alcohol-impaired his ability to speculate. He needed coffee, strong and black with a few packets of raw sugar, to tease theories from the questions in his mind.

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