Bouncer by Tyan Wyss Read Free Book Online

his report. Dr. Koh says the mayor was probably stabbed with something like a screwdriver. We had to leave before he could get down to real business—the chief was suffering from a little indigestion .”
    “Doesn’t have the stomach for it,” stated Roger. Obviously, this wasn’t a new revelation for him.
    “I jotted down a few notes and will leave a copy of Philemon Jenkins’ statement as well as both Officers Phelps’ and Stevens’ interviews of the neighbors for you to read when you’re up to it. I did learn something interesting, but was unable to follow up on it. Thad Fisher’s ring finger was hacked off. Chief Rollins stated a similar thing happened to a young woman murdered 25 years ago. An Ashley Peebles.”
    Roger’s blurry eyes sharpened. “That had to be the most sensational crime to hit the area until the Fox murders. I believe two drifters were convicted and put away. There was something about a missing ring. That’s right. She had a silver rope ring that her father said was missing from the body, and Thad had a ring like that on his pinkie. Did you check the files?”
    “Couldn’t. They were missing as well, and my new girlfriend Priscilla and I searched for over thirty minutes for them in the Records’ Room.”
    “Priscilla? The records clerk? You’ve got to be kidding. She’s an insufferable old prude.”
    “Oh, really? I thought she was quite fetching. Wanted to have my children, she did.”
    “So, you’re already bestowing your undeniable charm upon the women of this otherwise staid town? Watch yourself, Nick. You saw what happened to the mayor when he fooled around.”
    “Ha, Ha, you must be feeling better. Anyway, my gut instinct says this is too much of a coincidence, and unfortunately, I can’t speak to the man who headed the case before our time—the ex-chief of the police department.”
    A burly nurse pushed her way past Nick. “It’s time to send your visitors home Mr. Chung. And here’s your medicine. Open wide.”
    Roger obediently swallowed the two blue tablets and almost immediately his black eyes lost their focus.
    “Great timing,” murmured Nick annoyed.
    “You can still get the records,” slurred Roger. Susan had risen and caressed her husband’s hand. “Lee Fox still runs the P.I. Agency and . . .”
    “Roger, I don’t think . . .” soothed Susan.
    “And . . .” prompted Nick as Roger’s eyes momentarily closed. “Roger?”
    “Yeah. Lee is a handful, but I’m sure the files are there. Lee is . . .” Roger’s eyes closed and didn’t open again.
    “Oh well,” said Nick. “I guess I have to give this guy a call. Thought Jeremy Fox’s son was murdered along with him.”
    “He had another child.” Susan smiled strangely. She tucked her husband’s unresponsive hand under the covers and placed the file Nick had brought for Roger’s review on the side table.
    “I suggest you tread lightly, Nick. Lee Fox doesn’t share information or anything else without a price. There’s a few things you should know before . . .”
    “Leave it to me. There isn’t a guy I can’t persuade.”
    “Right,” said Susan and forced a smile. Nick had the annoying feeling she was mocking him, and he was loathe to know why.

Chapter 4
     
    Dr. Koh called before Nick made it to the parking lot and asked him to stop back by.
    “I haven’t finished my complete examination, but so far, some very interesting tidbits have surfaced. Do you see this here?”
    “What is it?”
    “They must be at least ten or so half dissolved barbiturate tables.”
    The white flakes floated in the jar of vomit-colored material. Nick could only hope that Thad had been nearly unconscious when he’d been murdered, since the weapon had been the lethal end of a Philips screwdriver. Dr. Koh illustrated how it had been shoved upwards through the throat embedding itself in the nasal passages behind the nostrils before jutting out the rear of the mayor’s skull. Thad Fisher had bled to death,