The Killer Who Hated Soup by Bill A. Brier

Author:Bill A. Brier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: small town politics, crooked cops, corrupt politicians, nineteen fifties murder mystery, oklahoma in nineteen fifties, used car salesman investigating murder mysteries
Publisher: Black Opal Books

CHAPTER 25

Two hours before the noon ceremony began, Bucky stood with one foot on the bus bench overlooking the growing crowd and reloaded his camera. Music had kicked in over the loudspeakers, and vendors were already selling balloons, hot dogs, cotton candy, hot chocolate, and soup. A real carnival atmosphere, in spite of the cold air blowing in from the east, accompanied by soft rolls of thunder.

Chief Parker strode up and leaned in close to Bucky’s ear. “I want you to keep an eye out for--Hey! What the--” Two dogs lurched with speared teeth at the chief. He fell back against a balloon stand, arms flailing.

“Back, you two,” Edmond Police Chief Trigger shouted, yanking the leashes with all he had.

“What the hell got into them?” the chief cried.

Bucky helped him up. “Sorry Chief. Must be your kerchief.”

The chief had a white handkerchief draped from the back of his hat, covering his neck. “What about it?”

“Nothin, Jerry, it’s jus’ these dogs been trained to attack enemy Koreans wearing kerchiefs like yours. You know, part of their chink uniform.”

“Well, it’s part of mine when I’m outside, so keep your damn dogs under control. They’re supposed to intimidate, not kill, for Christ’s sake.” He waved Trigger off and turned to Bucky. “Fuckin’ skin cancer. Doc Little insists I keep my neck covered when I’m outside.” His eyes darted left and right before he leaned in close. “I wouldn’t put it past those Caddo sneaks to smuggle in another bomb, so stay alert for anyone suspicious.”

Kindra and Harman strolled up, laughing. Kindra wore a pink cap and matching mittens, and her cheeks were flushed from the chill. Bucky noticed how close Harman stood next to her, and he didn’t like it.

The chief frowned at Harman. “Aren’t you supposed to be watching that tree?”

“No sweat, Chief. Sparks and Murphy have it covered.”

“Get your butt over there. I’ll join you as soon as I make a call.”

After Harman was out of earshot, Bucky turned to Kindra. “Why are you hanging around with him? I thought you were going to assist me.”

“We weren’t hanging around. Besides, I’m here, aren’t I?”

“You acted awfully chummy,” Bucky said, slipping into protective big brother mode.

“Don’t be silly,” she said with a fake laugh. “We just met. Officially, I mean. He gave a talk once to our civics class.”

“On what, flirting with underage girls?”

She swiped his arm. “Bucky Ontario! It was on civic responsibility and the law. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m almost eighteen. And by the way, my birthday’s coming up.” Hint, hint. “Besides,” she said, “Officer Harman’s kind of--”

“Yeah, right. Since you’re so mature and everything, tell me what was in Marybeth’s diary.”

She stared at her saddle shoes.

“Come on, I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”

She glanced around, then whispered. “She’s been having sex since she was ten.”

“Ten! No kidding?”

“That’s why I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“She actually said that in her diary?”

“In Pig Latin. Xseay means sex and nteay means ten.”

“Was it with VO?”

She shook her head.

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