Dewey Decimal Dilemma by Pirtle Linda

Author:Pirtle, Linda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Murder Mystery, Suspense
Published: 2022-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

Although Jager’s ire hadn’t abated by the time all four women had settled around Caroline’s dining table, he had gained control of his voice. He wanted to yell but restrained himself. Daphne looked as though she would burst into tears any second. Of all the things in the world he hated, the Chief of Police of Magnolia Bluff – tough war hero that he was – could not bear to see a woman weep. He felt useless in such situations.

“I ought to lock up all of you for breaking and entering Terresa Brown’s house. Why were you there in the first place?”

All four women began talking at the same time. He held up his hand to silence them. As soon as they grew still, he opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted.

“Don’t anyone say a word. Not any of you ladies,” Caroline ordered. “I think we all need some refreshment after what we’ve endured tonight. You too, Chief. I can tell you’re frustrated with us.”

“You think?” His words dripping with sarcasm.

“When we tell you everything we know, you’ll see things our way.”

She pushed back her chair and motioned with her head for Jager to accompany her. He stood and made eye contact with each of the women. “Don’t move until I come back in here.” Jager waited until each one acknowledged his order. He followed Caroline halfway through the door separating the kitchen and the dining room and leaned against the facing so that he could watch Caroline and keep tabs on those who eyed him from the table.

“I have something to say, and I want you to take it seriously,” Caroline said.

“I’m listening.”

“Do not let Theo’s wife know that you have him locked up.”

“Why?”

“Just do it. Trust me.”

Jager nodded. “Only until early tomorrow morning. Then he’s on his own. But I’d better not hear about him abusing his wife again. If he does...well...I won’t tell you what I’ll do.”

“Deal.” Caroline placed four empty cups, a small pitcher of cream. and a matching bowl filled with sugar on a tray, turned on her coffee machine, and waited. “After tonight, you might change your mind. That is, if Magnolia is telling us the truth.”

Her comment puzzled him, but Jager had a murder to solve, not a disagreement between an abusive husband and his frail wife. Coffee brewed, he took the tray from Caroline and set it on the end of the dining table. “Help yourselves, ladies.”

Jager observed the women as they doctored their coffee. He waited a few minutes giving them time to settle down before he interrogated them.

He heard Hans’s voice on the two-way and pushed the button to respond. “Jager, here.”

“It’s about Tidwell.”

“Explain.”

“Mrs. Tidwell called PD a few minutes ago. Wanted to report a missing person. Says her husband got drunk, they argued, he left, and she can’t find him.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her twenty-four hours have to elapse and then she can come into the station and file a missing person report.”

“Ten-four. Leave it at that.

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