Murder in Rat Alley by Mark de Castrique

Author:Mark de Castrique
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-10-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

After leaving Bernadette, I spent a few minutes in my parked CR-V thinking through the next steps. Danny the banjo player, a description simpler than Danny second son of Bobby the twin, rose to top priority. But I didn’t want to see him or his family alone. Going up Dusty Hollar Road might be a one-way trip.

Normally, Nakayla would have accompanied me, but she had her hands full. Still, she deserved an update, and I was anxious to learn how she was faring.

My call went straight to voicemail without a single ring. Nakayla must not have replaced her phone yet. I called Cory.

“Sam, I’m with Nakayla. Do you want to talk to her?”

“Yes, if I’m not interrupting anything.”

Cory laughed. “I think you rank above buying shoes.”

There was a momentary pause, and then Nakayla came on the phone. “Where are you?”

“In RAD. Tuck’s ex-wife had some interesting information about Danny the banjo player and PARI.” I gave her a condensed version of the conversation, leaving out the more fantastic alien theories.

“So we need to see him,” Nakayla said.

“Where are you?”

“In Tops. Borrowing clothes is one thing, but shoes are a little more personal. And Cory’s feet are smaller.”

Tops for Shoes was a huge shoe store in downtown Asheville. Shoe lovers didn’t just shop there. They made pilgrimages.

“Should I bring a U-Haul?” I asked.

“Not till I get my insurance check. I’m meeting my agent at two. Also, the dealership is bringing a replacement key for my car. Do you want to see Danny Case after that?”

“I think you should take care of what you need to and not worry about the investigation. I’ll meet you at my apartment this evening.”

There was a long pause. I knew what she was thinking.

“Sam, there’s no way you’re going to confront any of the Cases alone. Losing a house is one thing. Losing you is another.”

“I wasn’t going alone. I thought I’d see if Newly or Tuck can go with me.”

“On what pretext?”

“Simple. To ask about tunnels and aliens. Then we’ll see if we can bring the questions more down-to-earth.”

Another pause followed by a sigh. “All right. But you promise me you’ll go with someone.”

“I will. And I’ll keep you posted.”

“Sam, I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go shop.”

I dropped the new phone on the passenger’s seat and started the engine. I planned to return to the office and see if Newly or Tuck would join me in calling on the Cases. Showing up in an unmarked police car promised greater impact than arriving in my Honda.

Under normal procedures, the homicide detectives wouldn’t let me tag along, but the attempted murders of Nakayla and me elevated the stakes. I counted on Newly and Tuck to feel some concern for my safety.

The phone rang. I kept the transmission in park and answered. “Hello.”

“Is this Sam Blackman?” The voice was old but familiar.

“Yes.”

“Theo Brecht here. You left me a message. Sorry to be so late getting back to you.”

“That’s OK. Let’s just say I’ve had a long morning as well.

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