Tails, You Lose by Carol J. Perry

Author:Carol J. Perry [Perry, Carol J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2015-02-13T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Bill’s burial in nearby St. Mary’s Cemetery was to be a private affair for family only, so after we left the church, we went straight back to Pete’s car. I looked around for Thom but didn’t see him anywhere.

“Thom was really upset,” I said. “I don’t understand it.”

“Are you going to ask him about it when you see him on Monday?” Pete asked. “Tell him you saw him here?”

“Does that mean I’m on the case?”

“What case?” He grinned.

“I’m not sure,” I said, laughing. “It’s kind of a ‘secret tunnel, broken leg, city councilor, map book, barroom, green Ford’ federal case!”

“Something like that.” He laughed, too. “Seriously, though, Thom might just be one of those people who like to go to funerals. Like a professional mourner.”

I considered that. “Could be, I guess. After all, a funeral mass is a fairly public event. He must have known he’d be seen by people who’d recognize him, in spite of the cap and shades.”

“That’s true,” Pete said. “But don’t forget, he was in on the basement caper, along with Sammy and Duke. Thom may not be as innocent as he looks. Life is full of surprises.” He gave me a long look. “Speaking of surprises, do you mind if we stop by the station? I want to talk to the chief about the coat they found on Bill. I think the chief might want to take another look at it.”

“Do I have to come in with you? I’m not one of Chief Whaley’s favorite people, you know.”

“Oh, don’t take anything the chief says personally. He’s all business all the time. Come in with me. He might want to hear about this from you.”

I agreed reluctantly, and that was how I happened to spend part of my Saturday off in the Salem police station, face-to-face with what the comic books would call my arch nemesis. I got a curt nod acknowledging my presence, but he addressed Pete.

“So, Detective,” he said, “to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing Ms. Barrett once again? So soon.” There was no mistaking the unfriendly glare he sent in my direction.

“She told me something about the Bill Sullivan case today. Something I guess we missed.”

“Sullivan?” Whaley said, looking at the clock on his wall. “By this time I presume he’s six feet under.”

“Well, sir,” Pete said, “Mrs. Sullivan claims the coat he was wearing when we found him wasn’t his.”

The chief’s icy blue eyes narrowed. “You know that to be a fact, Ms. Barrett?”

I could feel my temper rising. “Mrs. Sullivan says the coat isn’t Bill’s. She ought to know.”

“She told you this?”

“She told my aunt.”

“Thirdhand information, Detective Mondello,” he said, turning his stare in Pete’s direction. “But it may be worth checking. Get on it. Interview Mrs. Sullivan again and pick up that coat.”

It was my turn to be surprised when Chief Tom Whaley stuck out his hand. “Thank you, Ms. Barrett,” he said.

“You’re welcome, Chief Whaley,” I said, shaking his big paw.

We left the station and headed for Pete’s car.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.