Burning Heat by David Burnsworth

Author:David Burnsworth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gale, Cengage Learning
Published: 2016-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

At the offices of the Palmetto Pulse, Darcy and I sat across from my Aunt Patricia in the conference room. Miss Dell, a heavyset African-American woman about fifty who worked as the receptionist, walked in with a tray of iced coffee.

“Thank you,” Patricia said. Her business suit was dark, wrinkle free, and looked very expensive. Over sixty, but I wasn’t sure by how much, she kept herself in great shape with a healthy diet and personal trainer appointments.

Miss Dell said, “I didn’t do it for your old wrinkly butt. I did it because we got us a man in here, yessir.”

“You can have him,” Darcy said, still riled up. Not her usual response to broken leads or bureaucratic obstinacy.

Miss Dell set the tray down and looked at her. “So can you if you’d just get over yourself. A man like that don’t grow on no tree.”

My favorite news girl opened her mouth to say something, then closed it, reconsidering. Probably a good move.

Patricia, Darcy, and I watched Miss Dell walk out, her large hips swaying with serious attitude.

Patricia turned back to face us. Her expression was anything but ecstatic. “So, anyway, the big lead you managed to get after losing the only good source we had is a twelve-year-old junkie?”

“Alcoholic junkie,” I said. “And she’s really a sharp kid.”

“Not sharp enough to stay out of trouble,” Patricia said.

I clapped my hands together. “It must be nice to walk around on water all day.”

Patricia tapped a finger on the table. “You said it, yourself, Brack. She’s twelve years old with a substance abuse problem. That doesn’t lend itself to Emmy award–winning journalism.”

I said, “Is that what this is all about? I thought we were trying to solve a brutal murder.”

After the unproductive meeting, Darcy dropped me off at the airport. My reluctant insurance company had arranged for me to have a rental car while my bullet-strafed truck was being torn apart by the police.

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