Saddled Up 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton

Author:J. C. Eaton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mysteries & Thrillers
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2022-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

I raced to my car and drove to Sun City West as if I was fleeing a tornado when, in reality, I was heading straight toward one.

Deputy Ranston had his arms crossed as he paced back and forth in front of Billie’s apartment shouting to the news crews to “leave and find something else to report.” I parked as close to the area as I could and walked directly to him.

“Your partner and I just finished speaking,” I said. “Long story but I’m here to show you and the forensic crew something I discovered yesterday.”

“You were in this apartment yesterday? This crime scene?”

“Yes. It wasn’t a crime scene at the time. I already explained that to Deputy Bowman.”

“Good. Then explain it to me.”

I took a breath and reiterated everything I’d said earlier. “So you see,” I continued, “I need to point out exactly where that box is located and where I discovered the stash of dollar bills. If nothing else, it will save your office valuable time.”

“Or, you could tell me and then go on your way.”

“Why waste time when I can expedite things? This will only take a second.”

Without waiting for Deputy Ranston to stop me, I ducked under the crime scene tape and made a beeline for the apartment.

“Miss Kimball! Miss Kimball! Hold on! You can’t―”

The words enter a crime scene were muffled as I stepped inside and scanned the living room. The desktop’s computer tower was missing but the keyboard and monitor were still there. Along with papers strewn everywhere. I was right. Whoever broke in was looking for something.

The forensic team wasn’t in the living room but I had no way of knowing if they’d already been through Billie’s desk or not. Rather than take a chance, I tried the direct approach as I peered into the bedroom from the doorway.

Two lab technicians appeared to be dusting for prints and both of them looked up when I cleared my throat. “Um, I’m Phee Kimball with Williams Investigations, but I’m not here on an official visit. If you haven’t done so already, you need to go through the cardboard box in the closet to your left. There’s money inside the boots. I know because I was here yesterday. Before it was a crime scene.”

“Miss Kimball!” Deputy Ranston shouted from the doorway. “I need to have a word with you immediately!”

“Excuse me,” I said to the technicians. “I’ll only be a minute.”

It was impossible for me to stash that flash drive anywhere without being seen so I pulled an Aunt Ina.

“Ew! A mouse! Did you see it? It went running by here. A big mouse. Maybe even a small rat!”

As Deputy Ranston turned in the direction where I pointed, I fell back in the armchair near the door and shoved the flash drive between the cushion of the seat and the arm of the chair. Then I realized my prints would be all over it. Too late. I had to deliver a performance worthy of an Oscar.

“Did you see it? The mouse-rat? Oh, my gosh, I shoved my hand down when I got in the chair.

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