I've told you about her.""Yes, but-but-"Donning the most naive, innocuous expression I could manage, I looked at her. "But what?"She gaped at me. "What's she doing here?""The National Park Service transferred her to Johnson City, you know, LBJ's boyhood home. She needs a place to flop until she f...
‘Throat Cutters?’‘That’s what the man said. They’re from Calabria, Italy.’‘Calabria?’‘Yeah. You know how Italy is shaped like a boot?’‘Vaguely.’‘Well, Calabria is down at the toe of the boot. And the word back east is those boys play for keeps.’At that moment, in a bobbing boat tied to a willow t...
After a shower and fresh cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs from my head, I felt better, not much, but somewhat. I had two vessels, the California and the Voyager, both anchored offshore awaiting a pilot to bring them in. The California was due the next day, the Voyager a couple days later. I did...
“My son is missing. I want him found. If he has been hurt or worse, then I will triple your fee to find those responsible.”There was no question in my mind that I will continue.On the way back to Maida, I called Marty with the information I had. “I’m certain the body is John Hardy, so I’ll pursue...
I climbed in my Silverado, making a note to check on Harper Weems’ brother and inquire into the relationship between Harp and Holderman.Next stop, Perry Jacobs. I pulled out my notepad and looked up his address. Shifting my pickup into gear, I headed for 476 Canyon Road.I have never ceased to be ...
After a moment, a few men cursed. Janice spotted me and hurried from the crowd.“What’s going on?”She shook her head. “I don’t know exactly. All I heard was that the hurricane went back offshore.”I stared at her. “You sure?”She gestured in the direction of the radio. “That’s what the weatherman sa...
Watkins was giving a party, a Christmas party.” He related the same story I had heard from Frank, down to the fact that not even tearing down some of the walls had revealed how the killer escaped from the library. Gadrate came in at that moment. She hesitated when she saw me. Her eyes flicked up ...
A relaxing shower and a clean change of clothes would make me feel better. But I hadn’t counted on my old man.He was up and about, ticked off because I’d been gone all day and all he had to eat was frozen pizzas. I snapped at him, “Well, you had beer, didn’t you?”He snorted. “You can’t live on be...
He was too busy chowing down his two barbeques, bag of chips, and Dr. Pepper to pay attention to us.I remembered the skin of the aircraft of which Justin had spoken. I leaned forward. "Was it a piece of metal that unfolded itself?"Sam's eyes twinkled. "That's it. You see it too, huh? I figure he ...
He shot me a murderous look.As I mounted the steps onto the porch, I heard shouting and cursing behind the closed door. That’s when I noticed that instead of a doorbell, the old mansion had a bell pull. Grinning at the novelty, I sharply jerked on the brass knob, and from inside came the ringing ...
The lemony smell of furniture polish, mixed with the subtle musk of leather, filled the room. "Not murdered?" Puzzled, I glanced at Cleyhorn, then cut my eyes back to Beatrice Morrison. "But, I just told you the police think it was an accident. Besides, how can I prove someone wasn't murdered?"Sh...
I spotted you come out of Neon Larry’s and go into the Blue Light. When you ran into all those monks or whatever they were, I figured it was time to give you a hand”I laughed. “I’m glad you did. Those bozos had some bad hurt on their minds.”“Learn anything?”“No. Another name, but those guys inter...
High above, a large chandelier with dim lights replicating guttering candles cast gloomy shadows over the room.Below, floodlights illumined a macabre torture chamber like something out of a medieval castle. A collective gasp filled the room, followed by a brief soliloquy from our guide elaboratin...
Something about the good father didn't ring true but it was as nebulous as a puff of smoke. "No. The truth is I'm looking for leads on the map. I figured with your contacts, you might have some ideas."He smiled brightly. "Wait just a few minutes. This is exam day for this class. An essay on Medie...
I tried the white pages online with an equal lack of success, so I decided to drive out to Austin Expediters, 201 Third Street, not one of Austin’s classier neighborhoods.Austin Expediters had closed shop.And from the layers of grime covering the windows, and the trash and sleeping winos piled at...