Yesterday's News - Jeremiah Healy by Jeremiah Healy

Author:Jeremiah Healy
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-05-02T15:34:32.934304+00:00

12

I finished licking my wounds and ate the breakfast Jones brought me. Getting into a pair of slacks and a sports shirt, I walked stiffly to the car. By setting the seat back farther than usual, I could work the clutch while still being able to control the gas and brake with my right foot.

On the way into town, I stopped and again dialed the office of Richard Dykestra. The receptionist again told me the developer was unavailable. I thanked her and hung up.

Back in the car, I drove until I saw a stationery store on Main Street. I bought a small book mailer and a fancy label. On the label, I wrote Dykestra's name and address. In the upper left corner of the mailer, I printed the name and address of the fictitious Boston law firm of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe.

Then I parked at a meter near the police building. Approaching the front doors, I saw Captain Hogueira in a large, black Oldsmobile, Manos at the wheel. I limped over.

"Mr. Cuddy, you are hurt? We are just returning, but perhaps we could provide you with a ride. This car is one of the few privileges of my rank."

"I'll be alright, thank you. I would like to talk though. Before I see your esteemed colleague Captain Hagan."

* * *

In his office, Hogueira said, "How may I be of service?"

"Fair to say the uniformed branch here investigates traffic incidents?"

"With diligence."

"Somebody almost ran me down this morning."

"When?"

"About six-thirty."

"Where?"

"The car followed me from the motel west along Crestview, then tried to resurface the river bridge with me. "

"Most unfortunate. Witnesses?"

"One."

Hogueira regarded me for a moment. "Before I inquire of the name of the witness, may I ask why you waited these several hours to report the accident?"

"No accident. The driver was trying to kill me."

"You saw the driver?"

"No. And I didn't get a plate number, either. "

Hogueira shrugged. "Of little importance. Almost certainly stolen." His eyes refocused on me. "Again, however, why did you wait so long to contact us?"

"I thought I should bandage myself up first."

"You are injured badly?"

"More in pride than body. I should have seen it coming."

"You should have realized someone would try to kill you with a car?"

"I should have realized that if someone was willing to kill Charlie Coyne and Jane Rust, I probably weighed in as an afterthought."

"Oh, Mr. Cuddy, you should not sell yourself so short. Your presence in our city seems alone to be reordering all kinds of priorities. And speaking of priorities, can you tell me now why you waited so long to report the occurrence of early this morning to the police?"

The Little Prince, who once having asked a question .... "I wanted to be sure I'd be reporting it to the right side of the department."

Hogueira breathed laboriously. Not aggravated, just considering things. "Perhaps I should inquire now of the name of your witness?"

"Duckie Teevens. An employee of Bunny Gotbaum."

"Ah, yes. Well, it seems your first impression of the right side of the department is incorrect.

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