Zeb Hanks Mystery Box Set 1 by Mark Reps

Author:Mark Reps [Reps, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781490938301
Published: 2018-03-05T05:00:00+00:00

15

The ladies from the Superstition Springs Mineral Baths and Spa, a bathhouse with a colorful past serving the restorative needs of miners for a hundred years, were having their monthly staff meeting at the Town Talk. The owner, Mabel Larson, a gossipy but staunch upright Mormon, and her daughter, Edna Speers, a woman with a heart of gold and tongue of silver, were the only employees. The meeting was really an excuse to go out for breakfast and catch up on additional local gossip. They chose a booth right next to Sheriff Zeb Hanks and Deputy Kate Steele's table.

"Hello gals, coffee?" asked Doreen who filled two cups before they had a chance to answer. In a split second she turned and filled Zeb and Kate's cups.

"Sheriff," said Edna. "I understand Delbert might be coming home soon."

"Where'd you hear that? I only found out this morning myself."

"Ike Svensendorfer was in early this morning for a rub down. That skinny old goat knew all about it."

"There ain't no secrets in this town," exclaimed Doreen.

"You can say that again. We hear more gossip in the Town Talk in one day than fall on a priest's ears in a month's worth of confessions," replied Edna.

The ladies burst into a group giggle. It was a hilarious line coming from the mouth of a Mormon to the ears of Doreen and Kate, former Catholic schoolgirls.

"As long as we aren't hiding any secrets...Sheriff, is it true what we've heard about your department investigating Father McNamara's so-called suicide?"

"What?" exclaimed Doreen, sitting up quickly. "I've known all along Father McNamara's death wasn't a suicide. Zeb, why didn't you tell me? Kate, why didn't you tell me?"

"Edna, there is no official ongoing investigation of his death," said Zeb. "What have you heard?"

"Nearly every single day we hear talk saying the death of Father McNamara was no accident," said Edna.

"You're right," said Kate. "Unfortunately, it was no accident. It was ruled a suicide."

"That's not the word we hear," said Edna. "Word around the spa is..."

"Edna, you heard rumors and nothing more," interrupted Mabel. "When you hear something, you have to consider the source. And you should think before you go talking in front of people who were close to him."

"I sure am sorry about your priest, Doe. I know you had been spending some time over there, but I've heard things from more than one place and lots of people are talking," said Edna.

"Go ahead, tell me what you been hearin'. It can't be no worse than hearin' everyone say he killed himself."

"All the same, Edna's got to be careful what she says in front of a sheriff and a sheriff's deputy. Isn't that right, Sheriff?"

"If you have some information, you should share it," replied the sheriff.

"Go on now, Edna," urged Doreen.

"I'm sorry to say it in front of you, Doe, but word is Father McNamara had quite a drinking problem. And there were money problems over at Saint Barnabus."

The room became quiet as a Thursday morning church.

"You sure it's okay with you if I go on, Doreen.

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