A Murder Among Friends by Ramona Richards

Author:Ramona Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

“People don’t always know what they know,” Judson explained.

They were on their way to interview the best friend of the victim’s neighbor. Lee thought it was a waste of time.

Judson disagreed. “Most civilians aren’t trained as detectives. They have no idea what’s important and what isn’t. Yet they see and take in some of the most amazing things. I’ve broken a lot of cases on tidbits that people didn’t even know were tidbits.”

Fletcher stepped away from the train, rolling his shoulders as he threaded his way through the crowd in Penn Station, glad to get his feet on the ground again. He’d slept little on the long trip through the darkness. Fifteen years in New York and he still hated the train, which amazed the few friends he had. He never tried to explain it, figuring it was pretty much no one’s business anyway, and knowing that if he did, Judson might suddenly develop a fear of rail travel as an explanation for his need of well-kept cars.

He sniffed and stretched his neck again as he waved down a cab. Once inside, Fletcher sat back, watching the street scenes flash by as he organized his thoughts, deciding on which questioning tactic to take with Edward. The meeting with the manager was at ten, which gave Fletcher time to go to his apartment, shower and find one of the few suits that had been recently dry-cleaned. Fletcher grinned, remembering the look that Maggie had given him and his suit when he’d plopped down on the ground beside her that first day. And a few times since. It wasn’t his intention to come off as slovenly, but he’d discovered over the past few days that he liked surprising her, in whatever way that happened.

His apartment smelled like soured Moo Shu Pork. Gagging, Fletcher opened several windows and turned on the air-conditioner fan. Finding the offending carton, he dumped it in the hallway incinerator, then spritzed his cologne throughout the four small rooms where he lived. The odor was less eye-watering by the time he had finished his shower and shave, but he was glad to leave again.

In the second cab, Fletcher focused more on the storefronts that blurred by as the driver dodged his way toward the theater district. Although it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet, Christmas decorations filled the windows, reminding passersby that now was time to buy or layaway, don’t wait too long for the latest…whatever. But it was normal for this time of year. Normal for New York.

A New York that would never see Aaron again. Fletcher rubbed the back of his neck, trying to push away the thought.

“Open it,” Aaron demanded, a broad, enthusiastic grin on his face. He held out a large, beautifully wrapped box toward the younger man, motioning for him to take it.

Fletcher stepped away from his door and motioned for Aaron to come in. “It’s two in the morning, Aaron.”

“It’s Christmas, me boyo! What are you doing asleep?” Aaron came in, the red-and-white Santa hat on his head tippingprecariously.

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