Blue Steele - Box Set - Captures 1-6 by Donald Wells Read Free Book Online

how, just believe me when I say it’s gonna get done.”
    Jenny and mama stared up at me with their mouths open.
    “What?”
    Mama grinned. “Damn girl, for just a second there, it sounded like your daddy talkin’”
    ***
    G ary and I got to Doc’s house just as the last patient of the day was leaving. Doc was semi-retired, but still saw the occasional patient; usually they were old friends of his.
    As I rang the doorbell, a new BMW parked at the curb, it was Mayor Cole. Emma Cole had to be nearing eighty, but thanks to plastic surgery, she could pass for sixty. She left the car and walked over to us smiling.
    “Blue dear, I heard you were back in town, I’m so sorry that it had to be under such horrible circumstances.”
    “Hello mayor, are you certain that it was my sister you saw last night?”
    Her face darkened.
    “I don’t want to talk about that, it’s a police matter.”
    “Police matter? Mayor, this is my sister’s future we’re talking about.”
    The door opened and Doc Monroe stood there staring at us.
    “Come on in Emma, and Blue, I have nothing to say to you, like Emma said, it’s police business.”
    “Doc, what the hell’s going on; why won’t you talk to me?”
    The mayor brushed by me and entered the house, then, she swiveled about and pointed a finger at me.
    “Leave Blue, or we’ll call the sheriff and he’ll make you leave.”
    And then the door shut in my face.
    Gary looked at me and grinned. “I see it’s true what they say about small town folk being friendly.”
    “It’s not funny, the mayor’s always been a bit of a cold fish, but Doc, Doc Monroe is one of the friendliest people I know.”
    “Not anymore,” Gary said. “And I’ll tell you something else.”
    “What?”
    “He wasn’t just rude, he looked scared.”
    ***
    W e left Doc’s and drove into Dallas.
    After a short wait, Gary and I spoke to Ray Kurtz, he was Tommy Hayes editor. We talked with him in a small break area behind the newsroom, but the clickety-click of numerous people typing at once still carried into the room.
    “I’m just sick about Tommy, Miss Steele, but I have no idea what story he could have been working on. Tommy worked the Lifestyle section mainly, with now and then, a human interest story.”
    “What sort of human interest stories?”
    “Oh you know, like when a lost child is found safe, or a bum on skid row inherits a fortune, stuff like that. I believe the last story he did was about a guy celebrating his hundredth birthday at the nursing home.” Kurtz suddenly looked thoughtful. “You know, come to think of it, Tommy did tell me that something interesting happened at the home that day, but when I asked him what it was, he told me that he’d get back to me after he checked some things out.”
    “How long ago was this?”
    “Two days ago, the name of the nursing home is Avalon Health; it’s over on Burgoyne Avenue.”
    ***
    W e grabbed a quick bite at a diner, while on our way over to the home.
    While Gary checked in with his office, I gave my best friend, Becca, a call.
    “Wow Blue, that doesn’t sound like Doc at all.”
    “I know, I think he’s afraid of something, or somebody.”
    “Well girl, you tell Jenny that I said to hang in there, the truth will come out eventually.”
    “Oh, it’ll come out alright, even if I have to drag it out by its tail.”
    Becca laughed and then asked me a question.
    “How’s Gary getting along with your mama?”
    “Great, she didn’t faze him in the least.”
    “I think you got a good one there, Blue, you know?”
    I leaned away from the table and lowered my voice.
    “Yeah, I know, but, it’s still early, I mean we’ve only been together a few weeks.”
    “If it counts any, I vote you keep him.”
    “It counts, and I’ll keep that in mind.”
    ***
    T he administrator of the nursing home was a middle-aged woman with her hair in a severe bun. She was a good-looking woman, but her demeanor told you that she was one tough cookie.