Tuper Mystery 02-Finding Frankie by Burrell Teresa

Author:Burrell, Teresa [Burrell, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, Crime Procedural, Crime Thriller, Missing Person Investigation
ISBN: 9781938680311
Publisher: Silent Thunder Publishing
Published: 2019-11-12T13:30:00+00:00

Chapter 29

“Why would someone pay cash to have a baby delivered if they had insurance?” Clarice asked.

Tuper and Lana looked at each other.

“Amber Carlton didn’t have insurance, did she?” Tuper asked.

“No, she did not,” Lana said. “So, she delivered the baby under someone else’s name, specifically, Jenny Smythe.”

“But then the birth certificate would have the wrong name on it,” Clarice said. Her mouth dropped open. “That’s the point, isn’t it? She checked in under a different name, and the baby went home with the Smythes.”

“That’s my guess,” Lana said. “And they paid cash so they could never be charged with insurance fraud.”

“You’d think insurance fraud would be the least of their worries,” Clarice added.

“You’d think,” Tuper said. “But it would also be the easiest to prove.”

“It all makes sense now.” Lana was still excited. “That’s why Amber left town the next day, just like Bella said, because she didn’t want to talk about where the baby went. It also explains why Amber keeps saying it was all her fault—and why she still grieves over the loss. But it doesn’t tell us why she did it, or what it has to do with Squirrely’s accident or Patrick’s death. Unless”—she paused—“Squirrely and Patrick knew about the baby transfer. I wonder if the Smythes paid Amber for the baby. And if they did, how much? I’ll see if I can find a money trail. Maybe the guys were all paid off and told to leave town. But that doesn’t make sense. They left way before the baby was born. No, there must be something else. And how did the Smythes happen to find Amber to buy her baby? I haven’t found any connection between the families. I’ll research again, but I tried earlier when I was checking out the two babies born in Lewistown. Amber wasn’t connected to either Antoinette’s parents, nor Kyle’s parents. But I’ll take a closer look just to make sure.”

Lana opened her mouth to say something else, but Tuper cut in. “Agony, you’re getting off track again. The baby may not have anything to do with any of this.”

“Maybe not, but you have to admit, it’s mighty peculiar, especially since Squirrely is probably the father.”

Tuper didn’t want to admit Lana was onto something, but he figured she probably was. “How does any of this explain why Patrick was killed?”

“Maybe he was trying to extort money from them. Smythe is a big-wig politician, and Patrick had information that could hurt him.”

Tuper raised an eyebrow. “You think Squirrely was doing the same?”

“It would explain the money in the bag.”

“You know Squirrely. Do you really think he’s capable? And why nearly fifty years later?”

“Maybe he was doing it all along,” Lana said. “And no one knew it.”

Tuper scowled. “Squirrely never had any money. Look how he lives. He doesn’t have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of. That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You’re right. That part doesn’t fit, but I still think there is some connection, and I intend to keep looking.

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