A Welcome Murder by Robin Yocum

Author:Robin Yocum
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633882645
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2017-03-09T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SHERIFF FRANCIS ROBERSON

The one good thing about getting head-butted in the nose was that it made me quit thinking about my headache, which paled in comparison to the throbbing pain emanating from the middle of my face. Johnny knows I’m a bleeder. In high school, I would sneeze and get a nosebleed. Every time I bumped my nose, it would bleed. I ruined a dozen shirts a year. And that son of a bitch rammed his forehead square in the middle of my face. I hope he goes back to prison.

Doc Baughman, our jailhouse physician, stopped by and chuckled as I told him the story. He set a piece of tape gently over the bridge of my nose, which extended out in comic proportions beneath a pair of blackening eyes. “We won’t be able to do anything about it until the swelling goes down,” Doc said. “Might be an improvement, anyway.”

I ignored his attempt at humor. I was thinking about handcuffing Johnny and letting Toots put the boots to him.

Doc was finishing up when Allison appeared in the doorway. “Phone on line one.”

“Who is it?”

She had disappeared before I finished the question. She was still steamed about Dena Marie’s surprise attack that morning. I had no control over the visit, but given my recent dalliance with the former homecoming queen, I can’t say that I blame her. “Well, let’s see what fresh hell this will bring.” I pushed the flashing button on my phone. “Sheriff Roberson.”

“Sheriff, Marshall Hood over at the Wheeling Intelligencer.”

Marshall was the bureau chief for the Intelligencer’s Steubenville bureau. He was a very good reporter.

“Hi, Marshall. Did you get all the information you needed on the fire?”

“Everything but who or what caused it.”

“That’s still the million-dollar question.”

“Any suspects?”

“Oh, I’ve got a couple people in mind.”

“Anyone you’d care to name?”

I laughed. We both knew the answer to that question. “No, I don’t believe I would. If we charge someone, you’ll be the first person I call. Take it easy, Marshall.”

“Wait! That’s not the reason I’m calling.” I hated hearing that. “I was told that you’ve questioned two suspects in Rayce Daubner’s murder.”

“Marshall, you know I can’t comment on suspects in an ongoing investigation.”

“I realize that, but I wanted to give you a chance to comment. I’m writing a story for Monday morning’s paper that says that you questioned Matthew Vincent Xenakis and Johnny Earl in connection with the murder. I also heard that Mr. Earl spent the night in your jail on suspicion of murder and is now being held on an assault charge for striking you earlier today.”

I could feel the heat creeping up around my ears. “Who told you that?”

“Come on, Sheriff, you know me better than that. I’m not going to reveal my source, but I can tell you that it’s extremely reliable.”

“I can’t comment.”

“Understood, but I’m still running with the story. I was told that Daubner assaulted Xenakis a while back—busted him up pretty good. There’s motive. Also, I was told that Daubner was the guy who set up Earl on the drug bust that sent him to prison.

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