Birds of a Feather by Don Easton Read Free Book Online Page A

styles to UC work,” replied Jack.
    â€œYeah, go figure,” said Connie. “And please, tell me, what would your style —” Connie quit talking as Jack walked past her a short distance down the hallway and gingerly picked up a small piece of cardboard.
    â€œWhat is it?” asked Wilson.
    â€œA cut-out picture of a Girl Guide,” said Jack. “Explains why Porter opened his door.”
    â€œIt does?” asked Wilson. He looked at Connie and she shrugged.
    Moments later, both Wilson and Connie took turns peeking through the peephole in Porter’s door while Jack remained in the hall holding the picture up close to the peephole.
    â€œI’d have sworn it was a real kid standing in the hall,” muttered Connie.
    Wilson went to Clive Slater’s apartment and found he wasn’t home, so he stuck a business card in his door. A couple of hours later, Wilson received a call from a lawyer by the name of Jenkins who said he was representing Slater and asked what it was about. Wilson told him and Jenkins said he would call back. Minutes later, Jenkins called again and said Slater had agreed to meet Wilson as long as Jenkins was present. Wilson tried to set up an appointment immediately, but Jenkins said his calendar was full. Eventually the lawyer agreed to meet at Wilson’s office the following afternoon at three o’clock.
    Connie called Jack to let him know.
    â€œFour hours after a murder and he’s already lawyered up without Wilson even talking to him?” Jack was incredulous.
    â€œYeah, how about that.”
    â€œYou can bet his hands are dirty, too,” muttered Jack.
    â€œSounds like it. With his lawyer, I doubt Wilson will get much, but who knows. Wilson does have a good rep for being sharp. I’m going down there tomorrow when he interviews him.”
    â€œYou going to interview him, too?”
    â€œNot until I hear what he says to Wilson. Later, if need be, we can use Lily Rae as another excuse for me to interview him. Wilson might touch on her disappearance because they would expect us to know she was Porter’s girlfriend, but we will likely hold back on any serious questioning in her regard until later. Maybe catch him without a lawyer. I’ll be down at VPD to confer with Wilson if he feels the need. Would be good if we could reach you, as well.”
    â€œI’ll be available on my cell,” replied Jack. “Tonight, if you don’t have any objections, I’m going to drive out and tell Marcie that Porter was murdered.”
    â€œNot a problem.”
    â€œWhat about Lily Rae’s mother?” asked Jack. “She should be told, too.”
    â€œGo ahead. Saves me from telling her. Let me know if she says anything that will help. Also, if Lily uses a computer at home, I’d like to get it. Same for anything else you see that might help.”
    â€œWill do … and tell Wilson good luck.”
    â€œDon’t get your hopes up. With the lawyer there, I bet it will be a short interview.”
    â€œI’m sure you’re right,” agreed Jack before hanging up. He brooded for a moment as he formulated a plan on how to get Slater to talk.
    Slater won’t think it’s a short interview when I talk to him. In fact, I bet he will remember it for the rest of his life …

chapter nine
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    On Monday night, Jack and Natasha, with Mikey in an infant car seat in the back seat, drove out to Liz and Ben’s farm in Chilliwack. Jack hadn’t told them he was coming, as he wanted to be with Marcie and console her if need be, when he updated her on the investigation.
    When they arrived, Ben, Liz, and Marcie came out of the house to meet them.
    â€œWhat a nice surprise,” said Ben. “What brings you out here?”
    â€œHave you eaten?” asked Liz.
    â€œWe already ate, but thanks,” replied Natasha.
    â€œWhat about you, Mikey? Want me to throw on a steak or something?”