St. Patrick's Cross (Larry Macklin Mysteries Book 18) by A. E. Howe

Author:A. E. Howe [Howe, A. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

By six o’clock I was headed home and trying to figure out if I’d made any progress. In my mind, the focus of the investigation had shifted from Robin to Natalie, if for no other reason than her extreme desire not to be caught.

I wouldn’t be able to do much tomorrow, but on Monday I wanted to dig into Natalie’s past. I knew she’d had run-ins with the law, including a stint in jail. She’d also had a probation officer for six months, who might potentially prove to be a fount of information. Probation officers were supposed to keep close tabs on their charges during the probation period, including home and work visits. They were also often privy to psychological and medical backgrounds, if the information applied to the conditions of the inmate’s probation.

There was much barking and bouncing up and down when I got home. Mauser performed his traditional bump-and-slobber routine while Cleo took a more refined approach to the greeting.

Eddie was in the kitchen and the smell of pasta was thick in the air.

“Did you talk to Natalie?” he asked, taking plates out of the cupboard.

“You didn’t have to make dinner,” I told him, but thinking how good the food smelled.

“I’ve gotten into the habit with Albert. Besides, I kinda owe you for a pillow.” He pointed toward a Mausered throw pillow sitting on the counter with its guts ripped out.

I chuckled. “I don’t think there’s ever been a time he stayed here that he didn’t tear something up. Where were you and Jessie while he was wreaking havoc?”

I asked the question casually, not thinking about the possible answers. When I saw Eddie blush and glance away, I regretted asking. “Never mind.”

“Did you find Natalie?” Eddie asked, desperate to change the subject.

“No. She flew out a window to avoid talking to us.”

His eyes widened, then he tapped his head. “She ain’t right.”

“She punched Pete, so we’ve got a pick-up order out on her for that.”

“If she was a normal person, I’d say she’d go to ground someplace and lay low, but Snake Tongue is a little… odd.”

“I know what you mean. She appears to be wired differently.”

I called Cara and told her about my adventures. I could hear loud music in the background as we talked.

“It was nice of Eddie to make dinner,” she said. “I’m envious. The co-op is having an Ostara celebration.”

“A what?”

“It’s a pagan celebration of the spring equinox. They’re a little early, but… there’s been a lot of smoking, dancing and less clothes than the weather would suggest.”

“Is your mother up to that?”

Cara laughed. “Think who we’re talking about. If there’s going to be half-nude dancing around a bonfire anywhere within a hundred miles, she’ll be there.”

We shared a few mutual endearments, then I hung up and joined Eddie at the table.

“Cara is really nice,” Eddie said as we filled up our plates.

“I’m a lucky guy,” I agreed. “What about you and Jessie? Can I assume that your relationship is back on track?”

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