Grave Errors by Carol J Perry

Author:Carol J Perry [Perry, Carol J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-04T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

I followed my aunt into her office. She sat at her computer and I pulled up a chair close beside her. “I’m going to log into my library account,” she said with a sly smile. “That way I won’t be exactly breaking my word that I’d keep my research limited to the confines of the library.”

“We promised to tell him everything we learn though, so we’ll have to do that.”

“Of course.” Her fingers flew across the keyboard and within what seemed like seconds we were looking at the page of a yearbook. She zoomed in on a photo of a young man. A young H. James Dowgin. No doubt about it. “Jimmy Dowgin. Class of 2003 University of Pittsburgh.”

“That must be where the degree in Environmental Science came from. I wonder how he wound up in real estate.”

“There could be many reasons for that. I’m guessing it was financial. Probably more money in sales than in consulting right now.”

“Makes sense. But if the alligators didn’t eat him, and they obviously didn’t, how did he become a missing person?”

She spread her hands apart. “Don’t know. What do you think?”

“The falling into the water scenario was staged. But did he stage it? Or did somebody else?”

She gave me a long look. “You’re thinking if he staged it himself, he’s hiding from something.”

“Or somebody.”

“And if somebody else did it, they’re hiding something.”

“Right.” I tapped my fingers on the edge of her desk. “But now he’s come out of hiding and it has something to do with me. Something I don’t like.”

“I don’t like it either, but as you say, he’s come out of hiding so it won’t take long for the police to find him. You’ll see.”

“I think you’re right. And Pete seems confident too, although he warned me about taking random walks around Salem,” I said. “Tempting fate, he calls it.”

“Sounds like River.”

“I know. I’m going to talk to her about the Steeler guy. That really puzzles me.”

“Oops. Look at this.” She tapped the screen. “I searched the team name and see what popped up. Monday night football. The Pats and Steelers are playing an early season game in Foxboro tomorrow. That probably explains the presence of your mystery man in the area.”

“Whew.” My whole body relaxed. “Of course. You’re right. He’s here for the game along with lots of other Pittsburgh fans. And that’s why he’s driving a rental. What a relief.”

“Sometimes the simple answer is the best one.”

“Makes me feel a lot better. Guess I’ll just run along upstairs and go to bed. Thanks for helping.”

“Thanks for meddling, you mean?” She smiled and shut down the computer. “Good night, dear. Sleep well.”

“Good night. Where’s O’Ryan?”

“He went upstairs right after you came in. He must be waiting for you in your place.”

I climbed the curving front staircase up the two flights and unlocked my kitchen door. Aunt Ibby was right about O’Ryan. He sat on the windowsill, facing through the glass, nose to nose with the white cat on the fire escape.

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