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

Ben joked.
    â€œThink we better wait until he grows teeth,” suggested Natasha.
    Jack saw the worried look on Marcie’s face as she looked at him. He shook his head and said, “No sign of her yet, but I want to talk to you.”
    While the others went inside, Jack walked with Marcie down the long driveway as he told her about the murder and that Porter had been suspected of being involved with cocaine trafficking.
    â€œOh, no,” cried Marcie. “I knew it! I knew something was wrong. Lily … you think … what? What do you think happened to her?”
    â€œI know it doesn’t look good, but there is still no sign of her. Whoever murdered Porter didn’t try to hide his body. The fact we haven’t found Lily yet could be a good sign.”
    â€œBut where could she be?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe tied and gagged and in the trunk of some car. Porter may have ripped off some dope dealers. Maybe she was taken as a hostage to get him to return the drugs or something.”
    â€œBut now that they’ve killed him …”
    â€œI know it doesn’t look good, but don’t give up hope.”
    â€œSo what’s going to happen?
    â€œVPD Homicide have arranged an interview with one of Porter’s associates tomorrow afternoon to see if they can come up with some leads. The guy is also suspected of being involved with cocaine trafficking. I’m sure he knows something.”
    â€œWhy are they waiting until tomorrow? Talk to him now,” urged Marcie.
    â€œHe lawyered up. That was the soonest the lawyer would agree to.”
    â€œWhat if he clams up?” asked Marcie, sounding panicked. “What then?”
    â€œThen I’ll do my thing.”
    â€œOh … I see,” she replied, calming down. They took a couple of steps in silence as Marcie thought about it before adding, “Guess he better hope he talks to the cops tomorrow.”
    Jack frowned. Marcie was a smart kid. She had picked up a lot about certain things over the years. Things he wished she knew nothing about.
    Marcie saw his face and said, “Sorry. That was stupid of me. I mean, you know, I meant you would do your undercover stuff or whatever.”
    â€œYes, I know what you meant. Do you think Lily’s mother is home? I would like to meet her and update her, as well.”
    â€œThey only live about fifteen minutes away by car. Want me to take you there?”
    â€œYes, but we’ll take my car. Save your gas money for university.”
    Jack pulled up to a small, single-level ranch-style house and parked. The home had a ramp leading up alongside the stairs to the front door. A flower garden bordered the front of the house and there was a small cedar wishing well in the front yard beside an apple tree. The home was being well cared for, with the exception that the lawn was in dire need of cutting and a few weeds had sprung up in the flower beds.
    Marcie rang the doorbell. She saw Jack looking at the flower beds and said, “Lily always looked after that stuff.”
    Jack was introduced to Eva Rae and quickly told her he had nothing new on Lily’s whereabouts, but there was something he thought she should know.
    Eva looked up at him from her wheelchair with a face that expressed relief she wasn’t being informed of her daughter’s death, but at the same time, disappointment there was not good news. She invited them into the living room and Jack watched as she manipulated the toggle stick on her wheelchair with one hand. Her other hand was crippled and she held it close to her body.
    Once seated, Eva offered them a beverage. Both Jack and Marcie declined.
    Jack updated Eva on the investigation and Jack could see the shock on her face when she learned about Porter’s murder.
    â€œYou knew!” exclaimed Eva, looking at Marcie. “You tried to warn her he was no good. She told me you two had a fight … that you were jealous, but