The Case of the Mellow Maltese by B R Snow

Author:B R Snow [Snow, B R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery
ISBN: 9781942691372
Published: 2017-11-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The man named Gordo answered our knock and nodded for us to follow him out onto the balcony that overlooked the River. He was barefoot, wearing shorts and a hooded sweatshirt and looked like he hadn’t slept since the race three days ago. As I crossed the room, I noticed the trophy he’d received for winning the 147 sitting on a table next to the TV. Instead of being prominently displayed, the trophy was serving as a hat rack for a black fedora. Gordo sat down, gestured for us to do the same, and fixed his stare on a massive ship that was heading downriver toward the Atlantic.

“What a gorgeous view. I’ve spent the past few days sitting out here watching all the ships go by,” Gordo said, his eyes still focused on the water. “I’ve probably seen a dozen different flags. But I don’t recognize that one.”

I glanced out at the ship’s stern and saw the red and green flag with a coat of arms where the two colors met flapping in the breeze.

“Portugal,” I said. “It’s a Saltie.”

“Saltie as in oceangoing?” Gordo said, reaching for his cup of coffee.

“Yes, as opposed to a Laker,” I said. “Those are the ships that just travel the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes.”

“Cool.”

“I’m sorry about what happened to Charlie,” I said.

Gordo shrugged and glanced at Chief Abrams.

“Did you stop by to tell me I’m free to leave?” he said.

“I can’t think of any reason why you can’t leave,” the Chief said.

“You mean you don’t have any reason to arrest me, right, Chief?” Gordo said, refilling his coffee. “You guys want coffee or something to eat? The room service here is pretty good.”

We both declined the offer.

“Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” I said.

“Go right ahead. You’re actually the first one who’s asked for permission.”

“You and Charlie were good friends, right?”

“Best friends. Charlie was the best friend I ever had.”

“And you traveled together all over the world to different events?”

“Yeah,” he said, slowly nodding his head. “We went through a lot of stuff together.”

“Do you know any reason why somebody would want to kill him?” I said.

“What is it with you people?” Gordo said, finally taking his eyes off the view to look at us. “You just keep asking the same questions hoping I’ll eventually give you a different answer? You cops are unbelievable.”

“Actually, I’m not a cop,” I said.

Gordo gave me the once-over then frowned.

“Then why are you here asking me a bunch of questions?”

“He does have a point,” the Chief whispered.

I shot him a dirty look then refocused on Gordo.

“I’m just trying to find out who should get the money in Charlie’s gambling account,” I said, unable to come up with a better response.

“His gambling account,” Gordo said, shaking his head with a sad smile. “I always called it his illegal credit line. Do you know how much is in it at the moment?”

“In the neighborhood of half a million,” I said.

Gordo barely reacted to the number.

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