Under a Mulberry Moon by Susan Slater

Author:Susan Slater
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: amateur sleuth, native american fiction, florida setting, crime fiction murder, american indian mysteries, school violence fiction, smuggling rare orchids
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Group, LLC

Chapter Twenty-one

“So, what do we have? A white van, picture of an Indian on the side, driven by a man, for a woman in a bear costume who might be married, and who gave a gun to a kid and used a brand new bike as bait to get him to shoot someone.” Tim Foley just shook his head. “And everyone seems to have just disappeared or pointedly isn’t talking.”

“Any businesses in the area drive white vans with Indian graphics?” Ben had stopped by the detective’s office to see if he had any new information.

“Thought of that. Locally, we have Arrow Heating and Air—no Native insignia on their van. Dreamweaver Mattresses with a dream-catcher as their logo but only on letterhead, nothing in their motor pool. Only group that comes close would be the Seminoles—”

“Florida State University?” Ben interrupted but that seemed way too farfetched.

“Yeah. Think about it. The graphic is usually prominently displayed—the head of a warrior. And while I’m thinking about it, doesn’t the tribe find that offensive? Like the Redskins logo?”

“Actually, no. The Seminole have accepted the use of their name by the state school as something flattering—a recognition of sorts—reminds people of their place in this state’s history.”

“Tough to keep up with what’s correct anymore. But I don’t know what a college vehicle would be doing two hundred miles away from the Tallahassee campus.”

“Sounds like another dead-end. No ransom request?”

“None that I know of. Of course, I’m not sure the parents would tell me if there were. Even taking into consideration his running for office, they’re very private people.”

“Have you run any background checks on the councilor?”

A slow smile. “Wouldn’t be doing my job if I hadn’t. And I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that this is privileged information “

Ben nodded. “Not a problem.”

“Well, I’m going to file this under a ‘need to know,’ seeing as how you were hired by the councilor.”

“Thanks.”

“On the surface, everything looks good—tribal leader, philanthropist, well-educated with trusts set up for Native boys to attend local schools …” Tim paused.

“But?”

“Nothing recent but about ten years ago, a younger, brasher Councilman Wolff got involved in some kind of payoff scheme. Apparently he was approached by outsiders with the big bucks to pave the way for a casino to be placed on Creek land in Alabama. I don’t know the details, tribal sovereignty and all that. But there was a rumor that the Wolffs—the old man and his son—had lined their own pockets at the expense of the tribe. Probably one of the reasons you have the son living here, in Florida.”

“Could be a reason to go after his family.”

“Only thing I’m coming up with. I’m not good at sitting and waiting, but damned if I know anything else that even remotely could be a possibility.”

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