Mortal Touch by Inanna Arthen

Author:Inanna Arthen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: By Light Unseen Media
Published: 2011-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Sean went outside and searched for signs of cameras or other surveillance equipment until dark, when Jonathan insisted that he come in and work on homework. Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday, they repeated the same routine. Late at night, Jonathan went out and searched the woods for some sign of what had happened to Regan. He relied on smell a good deal of the time, knowing that bodies had lain undiscovered on bare ground for decades in terrain just like this in Massachusetts, often within sight of major highways or well-used hiking trails. But he found no trace, and remained perplexed as to where Veronica could have hidden her friend’s body so completely.

On Wednesday, Sean arrived at the house a little later than usual. “There’s something going on at Regan’s store.”

“I’m sure they’re searching it for any clues as to what happened to her. Store employees have been found murdered in their establishments before.”

“Oh, yeah, they did that—a couple of times. But I went over there today, and there was a car parked out front—one of those Lexus Infinitis, and it had Georgia plates.”

“Georgia?”

“There was some guy, looked about forty years old, suit and tie, bald on top, he had keys to the place. He was inside looking around. He was pretty unhappy. I went up to the door and he told me the store was closed and to get lost. Then I told him who I was and that I was working for Regan. So he asked me if I knew where she was and I said no. I said, who are you, and he said his name was Bill Wharton. Says it’s his mother’s store.”

“Well, you knew Regan didn’t own the store.”

“Yeah, I knew she said that. This Wharton guy says his mother’s in the hospital. He seemed really upset with Regan. He sure didn’t seem worried about what’s happened to her, anyway.”

Jonathan frowned. “I don’t like the sound of this. Maybe I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on.”

“I told him about the cleaning job we did last week, and all he said was, that’s good. He was kind of a jerk.” Sean sat brooding for a few moments, and then took his electronic kit out of his backpack. “Guess I’ll go sweep.”

Sean discovered no signs of surveillance equipment in his daily searches, and there were no further indications of Internet sleuthing into Jonathan’s background. “But they’ve found what was there to find,” Jonathan said, after Sean had finished his search on Wednesday. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Hiram Clauson is doing leg work, trying to get hard copy documentation. That, he can be craftier about.”

“That’s still not going to prove anything. It’s not against the law to change your identity.”

“Not per se, no. But he’s watching me, and that’s a problem. I’m sure that he wants to connect me with all those incidents he was investigating. And I’m also sure that he assumes I have something to do with Regan being missing. What Jerry Standish’s real motives are, I’m not as certain.

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